Ed King talks about writing songs with Ronnie Van Zant

[robertdeltajohnson]

(cont...) When Tom Dowd took me backstage at The Miami Arena("1991" Tour), I was in their dressing room with him when Ed walked up to him and thanked and hugged him for, "Kicking me in the ass and gettin' my head on straight." It was later that I asked Tom what Ed was talking about...(that's when he told me the story). For Ed to say the bullshit he blogged about on his website was terrible, Tom Dowd was an honorable man and quite possibly the greatest recording engineer/producer of all time...

[robertdeltajohnson]

Ed King's rant against Tom Dowd is shameful. Tom told me a story of a recording session(1991 album) when Ed came in the first couple of days with bottles of Korbel Champagne, drinking like a fish. After a few days without any work getting done, Tom told Ed NOT to bring in the champagne the following night. When Ed showed up inebriated once again w/the champagne, Tom said he kicked him out of the studio. Ed came back a couple days later, straight and ready to work. With apologies to the band...

[loveclevelandohio1]

I met Ed King at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a few years ago...truly a class act.

[sheddski]

from what i heard from another ed interview gary and ronnie used to gang up on him and sometimes after a gig they would kick his ass out behind the jug for no reason till one day he waited for gary and sucker punched him while ronnie was hitting on a chick inside then went for ronnie after that it was over he would never play with them again al kooper fired him and they would go on without him untill steve gaines (alan collins brotherinlaw) came on in kansas city and the rest we all know .

[318Sunshine]

Still can't believe that Ed King played guitar with Strawberry Alarm Clock and that Lynyrd Skynyrd used to open for them - they disbanded in 1971 and he joined up with Lynyrd Skynyrd :)........ Wow what a mind blower!!! LOVE YA ED!!!

[FloormanofAlabama]

Ed King is one of the best guitar players on this planet, His tome is like syrup.

both its sticky and it flows, heis a top flight player a master. period,

ED put the LS catalog into a commercially acceptable format,

no Ed no BIG LS,

[TonyBeazley]

@FloormanofAlabama You got that right bro...Ed put that band up into the stars....the thing Ed did on that guitar is just incredible...Ronnie and Ed wrote real well together....

[TonyBeazley]

@FloormanofAlabama Preach it brother!!!! Ed really did put Skynyrd into stardom, the most brilliant guitarist on the planet...Ronnie and Ed together were the writing team for Skynyrd...

[SuperD104]

does ed king still want to play in the band with gary at all?or artimus pyle for that matter.I really cant understand why these guys aint in the band it would sound more like skynyrd and be more like skynyrd but its only gary now.I wish ed and arti were still in the band but i guess with a bad heart and getting on in age doesnt help.and im guessing artimus aint in the band cause gary and arti have some kinda tiff going on as arti says not sure what thats all about.i miss art and ed in the band.

[TonyBeazley]

@SuperD104 well said...Ed almost got back in about 5 years ago but it didn't work out....

[doelstu]

I saw Ed with them in the Fall of '87 and he SMOKED. An incredible show. Ronnie's dad came out and spoke as did Allen Collins. It was one of the first "tech" shows I'd seen before (at least 3 big screens capturing the action - Charlotte NC BTW). It goes down as one of the best concerts of my life and my buddy working security got us in free!!

[TonyBeazley]

@doelstu Yes my first time to see Skynyrd...that tour rocked...had to go twice...couldn't get enough...yeah Ed kicked ass!

[thunderdrumass]

Ed King is a bad ass ...people think it was all Gary and Allen...People have forgot or just don't know that Ed was rippin you a new ass most of the time....If you played a song like I need You....most so called Skynyrd fans wouldn't know who it is.......word!!!

[TonyBeazley]

@thunderdrumass yep right on!!!! 

[nsra1933]

Ed was and is an amazing musician. His contributions to LS were paramount. A band is just that....a band of brothers making music. But when the truth gets altered and the egos take shape....certain people want the spotlight. Ed was never one to want the spot. Rock on Ed!

[DoomGuy11]

@PooffyPie Aharharharhar duh I know her too :p

[acquarenza]

thanks.

[mysonisbadazz]

Ronnie would have never let Ed back in the band. Ronnie was not one to forgive and forget.....

[TonyBeazley]

@mysonisbadazz and the reason was??? If it hadn't been for ED KING Skynyrd would have never been so famous...and you know it!!!!

[MrWaddlesgee3]

What this from?

[TonyBeazley]

I did an interview with Ed ...

[mogodbilealadamnbama]

It's kind of a damn shame what has happened since '77. Yet, songs like "Red, White, and Blue" still ring a chord for me.

It was "workin' for mca" that placed Ed in my personal R&R hall of fame.

Later on, I learned he was one of the creators of "Incense and Peppermints".

What else can I say? Except thanks, Tony!

[rawzone1]

I wonder... If Gary died - would they finally let Ed rejoin the band? (Gary is looking pretty rough)

[TonyBeazley]

man that would be too late....it would be over...GAry had his chance to bring in the real ones but no....

[WheelSlip8]

@rawzone1

If Gary died I think that would finish Skynyrd. Also I think that Ed has had enough of the touring and drama. However, I still wish he was with the band----he's a true master of the guitar and gave so much to Skynyrds classic sound.

[AleksandrScheffler]

I wouldn't see them if ed or artimus, bob were in the band and you want to know why, Gary and Johnny are big fucking dicks and if Ronnie was alive he would probably kick both of their asses

[dalejams2skynyrd]

Ed belongs in the band!! It is not Lynyrd Skynyrd without him !!!!!

[TonyBeazley]

I'll give ya a 10+ on that...you hit it on the head...how true it is...Ed really helped that band in so many ways...I wish Ed would start another band!!!!!

[SuperD104]

Eds a great guitar player and a great guy.would it be possible to film an interview with ed king and artimus pyle sitting next to each other?would love to see that.EDking and artimus pyle are two great guys I do miss seeing them in the band.

[TonyBeazley]

I'll see what I can do about that...I would love it too!!!!

[hoghash78]

Ed has had with all the drama.

Gary needs to get his head right and remember why we´re in this.

[ronniejamesdiofan]

Ed got screwed over by Gary after he had a heart transplant in '93. Gary didn't want him in the band anymore. Money was the issue, not Ed's health. And it was used as an excuse.

[LBjim]

Got to love the idea that a California dude co-wrote Sweet Home Alabama..Pretty Cool!! Great job,Ed!!

[scbnrh]

Ed King has never been recognized for his contribution to Lynyrd Skynyrd! If you look at the early song writing credits, His name is on a lot of Hit`s.

[TonyBeazley]

Yeah most people just think he wrote SHA...if it had not been for Ed King , Skynyrd would not be as big as they are..period!! Ed added alot to the sound of that band and many good songs too...

[kikque]

My favourites of Ed's are Swamp music (just learnt) and Workin' for mca. If you listen to all the different layers of guitar in swamp music you realize that he is a genius really. I know that the other guys contributed but man that song is tight as hell. All the best Tony, love your channel.

[TonyBeazley]

Thanks for watching the videos of Skynyrd, yeah Ed is the main reason I ever noticed and liked Skynyrd really.. I like everyone else too but Ed did things to those songs that added that extra sound and feel to it ... a genius , yes he is!!!!

[landonhuyyugttdft]

could you put up a cover of swamp music

[TonyBeazley]

youtube will ding me for doing that....I don't want to get deleted...its on here just do a search for it...

[landonhuyyugttdft]

why would they delete you for playing swamp music

[TonyBeazley]

it draws alot of attention from the record company as far as copyright goes...I've had many friends get deleted for that....I've put alot of hard work into this channel... they'ved pegged me once on "coming home" I put up for my Allen Collins tribute...

[landonhuyyugttdft]

ok i didnt know that. thats fine do you have any connection with skynyrd

[TonyBeazley]

More with the ones that are not in the band anymore...its very hard to get to the touring band....

[landonhuyyugttdft]

so you talk with ed and artimus if you do tell them thanks for all the great tunes theyn played on

[TonyBeazley]

I am friends with all the members who are not in the band....but they are the originals....its just very hard to get to any of the touring band members...

[skatetoguitar]

my dad know ed king personally. he went to visit him not to long ago in Tennessee hes doing good

[boliverful1]

Ed King's strat solo on Sweet Home Alabama remains one of my all time favorites period. Anyone have any idea why Ed left after Nuthin' Fancy?

[ronniejamesdiofan]

When Nuthin' Fancy was being recorded, as good as it's a good album, the band winged it. Ed was basically running the band at this time, Ronnie was tired of calling all the shots and his drinking was out of control, along with the rest of the band. Everyone was under stress from the record company to tour relentlessly(known as the Torture Tour), and to put out another record. Ed and Ronnie, who was really drunk, got into a argument after a show one night. Ed got fed up and left that night.

[boliverful1]

Thanks, appreciate the response.

[SuperD104]

I really like Ed he seems so down to earth.I sure do miss his guitar playing.I hope hes doing well.I really dont understand why gary let him go from the band and never took him back.He wont get anyone better than Ed.

[bluegrassman776]

also you never hear ed king say anything about gary in a negative way. even after everything that's happened

[bluegrassman776]

ed king seems like a good person. i sorry i know gary is a legend but i don't feel like gary has treated ed king right.

[TonyBeazley]

you said it brother!!!! you have no idea how he treats people....it sure aint good...

[LBjim]

Hey Tony, What is up,dude?..Yeah Gary is an asshole, that is a shame..

[TonyBeazley]

Ed was never treated right and neither was Artie...and as you know Leslie and JoJo really got screwed out of everything....

[GAMER0995]

@bluegrassman776 It wasn't Gary that made Ed King left. Ed King left b/c of Ronnie and his kind of fighting attitude when he was drunk (which was often). It's all in the book "remembering the free birds of southern rock" by Gene Odom!!

[salamonetalton]

yeah he is so underrated even billy powell said ed was the best of the guitar players in skynyrd.i heard ed had some heart problems and needed some help and gen gary rossington wouldnt help.well at least ed is alive today coz he didnt stick around to get on that plane.skynyrd today is n o skynyrd since 1977.

[CCi22mag]

Why isn't he with Skynyrd now or Artimus Pyle for that matter,because as far as I know they'r the last two original members left besides Rossington.

[Abandonmetoo]

As far as I know, at least Pyle was no original member...

[TonyBeazley]

thats kinda like saying Leon isn't the original bass player...theres a very thin line there for Artie and Leon...there were 3 different drummers and 4 bass players for Skynyrd , before the crash....

[FloormanofAlabama]

Ed has a heart condition, and arty has some legal trouble

i wont go into but he was falsley accused, wrongfully,

[FloormanofAlabama]

RVZ =Ronnie Van Zant, i feel in my sprit was a very perceptive person. He hand picked each one of the guys to play for him, I do know from reading that your Grandad

lived with Ronnie and Judy, i think the only member who did, I think Ronnie loved ED, know they had some sort of falling out over things, ask him, but if Ronnie

would have personally ask ED back he would have most likely gone, the fact he didnt saved his life i suspect lucky for you. Take care.

[Gaarascookie111]

THANKS

i think thats true i havent talked to him in a week tho :]

[TonyBeazley]

they are banned by Gary from the band...and too much water under the bridge to go back..no amount of money could bring those guys back into that band...

[passover77]

Why?

[TonyBeazley]

the question is if they could be in the band then why arent they?? they are being kept out!!!!

[passover77]

Why? Does Gary have something against them? If so, what is it? Or are there other people who are preventing them from being let in?

If Ed and Artie wanted to be in the band and were let in, I'd be wiiling to pay to see them. Otherwise I'm not interested. I also won't pay to see the Allman Brothers without Dickie for the same reason.

[TonyBeazley]

brother so would I if Ed and Artie and Jo and Les came back but ...its GArys band, that says it right there...

[MoparMan55]

i thought ed had heart problems and couldn't tour any more

[TonyBeazley]

well it comes and goes...maybe he could do some shows here and there...

[Exilemainstreet]

He seems modest. A lot of songwriters, including some of the greats like Lennon/McCartney, sniped back and forth about who wrote what. Later on, after they realize how much money is at stake, a lot of bandmembers sue each other for royalties. It's like the national pasttime for old musicians.

[FloormanofAlabama]

Ed isnt just good, Ed is the KING,

[FloormanofAlabama]

Ed king is a guitar player , gutar player, truly one of the greats.

SERIOUSLY

[TonyBeazley]

he is the only reason I ever liked Skynyrd....its the songs he wrote and what sound he made with that strat of his....

[FloormanofAlabama]

Tony your the man with your videos keep em coming, i love em,,

[FloormanofAlabama]

Me too T.

[Gaarascookie111]

i promice you im not lying

but ed king is my grandpa

my name is kirsten king

my dads name is edward c king

i swear im not lying!!!!!!

[Metsuck2]

awesome

[FloormanofAlabama]

YOUNG LADY your Grandad is the King of the guitar,

his style is unmatched, to this day

Because is Ed is not just a guitar player, but a great recording artist, He personally showed Lynard Skynard's members how to put the music in a commercially acceptable format,

Dont ever let anyone tell you different, Ed is so

humble, he will not tell you that, he already recorded with The Clock, and RONNIE WAS PERCEPTIVE i never met either, RONNIE Could SENSE what Ed could do for him

RVZ perceptive

[Gaarascookie111]

thanks

he is sooooo awesome to be around

i think he might give me guitar lessons too :]

[ChOcOlAtEsKaTe12]

ed king is the best!!!!

[drumwraith]

Shoot.....Tommy and Toy Caldwell were my cousins but I spell my name, Buchanan.....and I don't even smoke weed anymore.

[TheMoverToANewSchool]

ITS VAN ZANDT my last name is Van Zandt my dads cousin is steven van zandt but then his mom got married and his last name is von or vohn

[TonyBeazley]

sounds like some good weed there dude......there is no 'D".....

[TonyBeazley]

well are you Ronnies cousin? Or Townes cousin?

[TheMoverToANewSchool]

ronnie

[skarkot]

If you are Ronnies cousin why is you last name spelled with a D? Ronnies name is Van Zant...I think u are full of shit!

[justinruns]

I wish I was TVZ's cousin, maybe I would be playing concerts instead of watching interviews of Ed King on youtube. Oh well, we can all dream and play guitar hero.

[LBjim]

Ed is from Glendale,Ca(LA), he use to be friends with my cousins growing up. It is pretty cool that he represented LA in a southern band when he was in it..Seems like a good dude...

[ih8thishit]

it's like the Vaughan Brothers, there's an "A" in there for them. You just spell yours different... the Van Zant brothers definitely have no D in their version.

[rowland53]

Ed was an amazing guitar player. Tony, what do you think of Gary and Billy using the name Skynyrd? I tend to think they shouldnt.

[TonyBeazley]

Yep and he's still amazing!! As far as using the name man I tell ya some days I think that it's ok then on some days I don't like it at all. I will say they are out there keeping the music alive and making another generation of Skynyrd fans. It would be nice to hear Gary say a few words of thanks to Ronnie at concerts for writing such great songs....but I digress as Artie says.....it's a good thing Ed and Artie keep the faith and give thanks to the man.

[Curtislowe77]

Whiskey Tango foxtrott, Ive never heard anyone question their choice of band names, Its always been a unique original band name that always seemed to be an iconic backwoods country set yourself apart name,I could identify with instantly as anything but commercial,a little redneck if you will. It was who they were.

[Mievaan93]

Awesome band! I dig. So you have been close with the band? I'm goin' to buy a guitar almost just like Allen had. A Gibson Natural explorer. Man he was the man! With the whole band. Genes book was awesome got to give credits to him. :) Its a shame that I can never see Skynyrd live:/ I live in Finland and I'm sure that they won't come here.

[Glendoras]

Hey, is this Documentary still in production? I'd love to see it all when it's finished! Keep up the good work!

[TonyBeazley]

Still in production yes.....this should be highly publicized for sale ....thanks for the good wishes!!!!

[Stevieraylittlewing]

Hi Tony,

I guess you may already know this but you can now put a link up to iTunes from your You Tube site - I heard it was coming a little while back at a music conference, and a couple of days ago I saw it in practice for the first time - at the MGMT site for their recording Oracular Spectacular (yes, I'm a big fan of theirs (especially Electric Feel)!) = all the best with your documentary - if this clip is anything to go by it's going to be great!

Cheers,

Stephen.

[njrockon]

AlL Right ED!!! Your Jersey Shore Connection..

[mrmetal99]

I always loved ed and his playing.its really a shame that him and artimus aint in the band anymore.I think ed artimus randall hall and barry harwood should start a band of there own i know it would kick azz!

[TonyBeazley]

Good idea....and I think they all like each other too....

[augfive]

ed also use to teach music at a little store in vineland , nj!

he was always humble, and cool to evryone

[rossrylance]

Tony:

Sweet, thanks so much, that song actually is what got me to decide to enter show business. I think I told you I saw a show called Equinox Rock at the Miami Baseball Stadium back in the day, with Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Stills Young Band (one of three shows that they played together)...Still have my backstage pass!

[TonyBeazley]

Thanks Ross!!!!!

[JoeAuriun]

amazing.

[waynetaylor1966]

Ed King played with Strawberry Alarmclock Band! for those of you who did not know.

[High5150Roller]

gary all the way! my idol!

[rossington14]

true that!

[pikeman07]

Ed looks better in this clip than he did in 1973!!! If it's copyrighted in 2006 and recorded then, he looks better than he did in the '97 comeback tour too!!! Here endeth the Ed King love-in!!!

[TonyBeazley]

Well it is older than 2006 this was around 2000 and he even looks better now.....I am amazed...hell I think he looks younger than me lol.......

[oskie66skye]

true! he really does look better and healthier here! i was just lookin at pronounced album earlier and kinda noticed that myself.

[dylansdadac]

Ed also played on Johnny Carson show with the Everly Bros.

[dylansdadac]

Hey Ed where are you now? Remember Sneaky Ben and the All Stars featuring Greasy John Fat Fingers? Are you still playing,on tour?

[imexru2]

Very cool!

[HarleySteal]

thanks for posting this Tony, that would be awesome to have been there with them while they where writing.i was one of the lucky ones to see skynyrd in concert here in 4-28-07 and it was awesome even got a pick thrown to me after they played simpleman i got it framed .. can't ask for more then to have a lil something from them while on stage.. be safe y'all

[egillelan]

Best band ever.

But to me, it's just not Lynyrd Skynyrd with out Ronnie. Their new music doesn't compare.

But I think Johnnie was their best choice.

[funkmasterflex28]

I know what you mean its hard to define but with Ronnie there was an honesty in his vocals and lyrics that Johnnie simply cannot replicate. His lyrics to me come across as cliched and forced. You feel that the band is trying to recreate it when before it just was. That band was a force of nature.

[rockintheswamps]

ed looks great here i wonder what year this is from?

[TattooMick72]

Cliff Burton named Ed King as one of his main influences

[bluestreetcar]

Thanks for this upload!

[bobinfiler]

my hero hehehe

[tericm]

Giving credit where credit is due! Great interview Tony.

[TonyBeazley]

That's Ed!!! 

Thanks Teri :)

[Madeinthesixties]

Great clip Tony. When is your Skynyrd documentary going to be completed - will it be available to buy or will it be posted on here? Is it to coincide with 30yrs anniversary?

[TonyBeazley]

Thank you for the compliment !!!! Yeah we really wanted to have it ready for the 30 but some financial reasons have kept us from finishing the project on time as wanted...but we are still moving on with it... it will be released in dvd format and it may be in volumes...as this is a very big documentary from ten years of taping.

[Madeinthesixties]

Wow! Ten years worth! Hope it will be available in the UK - hope you keep us posted as to when it's finished and available.

[TonyBeazley]

Yes the UK will be one of the first origins for us to sell it at. So be looking next year for it. Thanks!!!

[trappermac]

Thanks Tony

-eaglemac

[DeRealMan]

He left in '95 from Heart problems. He left in '75 for totally different reasons.

[stevegaines1]

because he left in 75 from heart problems. he's been on the transplant list since 1994

[TonyBeazley]

Since Eds good diet he is off the list for the last 2 years. He said he feels great!!!

[MartyCohen]

How come that dude isn't in Skynyrd anymore?

[TonyBeazley]

It's called " band bullshit"........