The Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd took their name from a real person: Leonard Skinner, a physical education teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida. Skinner was notorious for strictly enforcing the school's policy against long hair on boys. Several band members, including Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant, were frequently sent to the principal's office or suspended by Skinner because of their hair. As a sarcastic tribute to their 'nemesis,' they named the band after him, slightly altering the spelling to avoid legal issues. Surprisingly, Skinner later became friendly with the band and even introduced them at a concert in Jacksonville. The band went on to define the Southern rock sound with 'Sweet Home Alabama' and the epic guitar anthem 'Free Bird.'