Leonard Skinner was a high school basketball coach and physical education teacher at a Jacksonville, FL high school in the late 1960's. One day, he sent a group of students to the principals office because of their long hair. The students had their own rock band and decided to name themselves after Mr. Skinner. The resulting group, Lynyrd Skynyrd scored some big hits in the 1970's with "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird".
Mr Skinner,77, died on September 19, 2010 at a nursing home in Jacksonville from complications related to Alzheimer's Disease.
Initially, Mr Skinner was not impressed with the band using a variation of his name. He later embraced the idea. The band even played a gig at a bar he owned.
Over the years, he became friends with many of the band's followers who were intrigued by who he was and his past relationship to the band.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Bille Mae Richards - Voice of "Rudolph"
Billie Mae Richards played the voice of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in the 1964 television animated classic.
She died on September 10, 2010 at her home in Burlington, Canada at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke.
Her ability to talk in a high pitched voice won her the title role. She obscured her gender further when she was called Billy Richards in the credits.
She died on September 10, 2010 at her home in Burlington, Canada at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke.
Her ability to talk in a high pitched voice won her the title role. She obscured her gender further when she was called Billy Richards in the credits.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
David Rowland - Chair Designer
David Rowland designed a widely acclaimed chair that is used all over America. His unique design allowed chairs to be stacked to save space in contrast to folding ones. His initial chair was called the 40/4 because it allowed 40 chairs to be stacked only measuring four feet tall.
Mr Rowland, 86, died at his home in Marion, Virginia on August 13, 2010. The cause of death was not released.
His original model sold for $16 in 1963. The chair is now manufacturesd in various models by OSI Furniture in the United States and Howe Furniture in Denmark.
In 1964, the chair won a prestigious design award from Milan Triennale. It is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
The chairs are used all over the world and were featured in the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
Mr Rowland, 86, died at his home in Marion, Virginia on August 13, 2010. The cause of death was not released.
His original model sold for $16 in 1963. The chair is now manufacturesd in various models by OSI Furniture in the United States and Howe Furniture in Denmark.
In 1964, the chair won a prestigious design award from Milan Triennale. It is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
The chairs are used all over the world and were featured in the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
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