Tragedy Strikes Lynyrd Skynyrd Again

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Bass guitarist Leon Wilkeson, one of the founding members of legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, was found dead in a hotel room in Ponte Vedra Friday. He was 49.

A preliminary autopsy found that Wilkenson suffered from chronic liver and lung disease, but there was no obvious cause of death. Results from a toxicology test won't be complete for at least two weeks.

"We're all just finding out about this ourselves," Judy Van Zant Jenness, the former wife of band founder Ronnie Van Zant, told the Florida Times-Union. "We don't know what to do other than just to be in shock and be surprised ourselves."

Wilkeson was found dead in a room at the Marriott at Sawgrass Resort Friday afternoon. The St. Johns County Sheriff did not suspect foul play.

A memorial service planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Evergreen Cemetary in Jacksonville will be open to the public.

According to the band's official Web site, Lynyrd Skynyrd's next four concerts -- all on the west coast -- have been canceled. They are currently scheduled to resume their tour on Aug. 7 in Spokane, Wa.

The band, best known for songs "What's your Name?," "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Freebird," debuted in 1973 and was named after the members' high school gym teacher, Leonard Skinner.

Wilkeson was involved in a 1977 plane crash in Mississippi that killed Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and singer Cassie Gaines. Three others also died in the crash.

"He was a wonderful musician and he loved what he did. He always had a joke and a funny line and was a lighthearted person, and he'll want to be remembered that way; not for the tragedy that he suffered through but for the wonderful music that he made. That is always going to be known as a part of Jacksonville," concert promoter Rick Block said.

The group disbanded after the crash, but re-formed with others in 1987 for a reunion tour. The band toured for most of the 1990s.

Jenness said Wilkeson was in the Freebird Cafe in Jacksonville Beach on Tuesday with several friends.

"He was a great guy and very colorful," Jenness said. "He wouldn't hurt a fly on the wall."

A friend of Wilkeson's, who was with him Thursday night, told WJXT that Wilkeson was in great spirits, and has said that this was the best he had felt in years.