The Real Lynyrd Skynyrd Dies

The Florida teacher who inspired rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd's misspelled name has died.

Leonard Skinner died on Monday at a nursing home in Riverside, Florida. He was 77. The Freebird rockers paid a sarcastic tribute to their former gym teacher, who lived in infamy during band founders Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington's school days, because he had a habit of sending boys to the principal for growing their hair too long.

Ironically, many of the bandmates later became friends with Skinner.