<P> During this time, the band experienced some lineup changes for the first time . Junstrom left and was briefly replaced by Greg T. Walker on bass . At that time, Ricky Medlocke joined as a second drummer and occasional second vocalist to help fortify Burns' sound on the drums . Medlocke grew up with the founding members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and his grandfather Shorty Medlocke was an influence in the writing of "The Ballad of Curtis Loew". Some versions of the band's history state Burns briefly left the band during this time, although other versions state that Burns played with the band continuously through 1974 . The band played some shows with both Burns and Medlocke, using a dual - drummer approach . In 1971, they made some recordings at the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio with Walker and Medlocke serving as the rhythm section, but without the participation of Burns . Medlocke and Walker left the band to play with another southern rock band, Blackfoot . When Lynyrd Skynyrd made a second round of Muscle Shoals recordings in 1972, Burns was once again featured on drums along with new bassist, Leon Wilkeson . Medlocke and Walker did not appear on any album until the 1978 release of First and...Last, which compiled the early Muscle Shoals sessions . Also in 1972, roadie Billy Powell became the band's keyboardist after Ronnie Van Zant heard him playing his rendition of Freebird . </P> <P> In 1972, the band (then comprising Van Zant, Collins, Rossington, Burns, Wilkeson, and Powell) was discovered by musician, songwriter, and producer Al Kooper of Blood, Sweat & Tears, who had attended one of their shows at Funocchio's in Atlanta . Kooper signed them to his Sounds of the South label that was to be distributed and supported by MCA Records, and produced their first album . Wilkeson, citing nervousness about fame, temporarily left the band during the early recording sessions for the album, only playing on two tracks . He rejoined the band shortly after the album's release at Van Zant's invitation and is pictured on the album cover . To replace him, Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King joined the band and played bass on the album (the only part which Wilkeson had not already written being the solo section in "Simple Man"), and also contributed to the songwriting and did some guitar work on the album . After Wilkeson rejoined, King stayed in the band and switched solely to guitar, allowing the band to replicate its three - guitar studio mix in live performances . Released on August 13, 1973, the self - titled album with the subtitle "Pronounced Leh - nerd Skin - nerd" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA . The album featured the hit song "Free Bird", which received national airplay, eventually reaching No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart . </P> <P> Lynyrd Skynyrd's fan base continued to grow rapidly throughout 1973, largely due to their opening slot on the Who's Quadrophenia tour in the United States . Their 1974 follow - up, Second Helping, featuring King, Collins and Rossington all collaborating with Van Zant on the songwriting, cemented the band's breakthrough . Its single, "Sweet Home Alabama", a response to Neil Young's "Southern Man", reached #8 on the charts that August . (Young and Van Zant were not rivals, but fans of each other's music and good friends; Young wrote the song "Powderfinger" for the band, but they never recorded it .) During their peak years, each of their records sold over one million copies, but "Sweet Home Alabama" was the only single to crack the top ten . The Second Helping album reached No. 12 in 1974, eventually going multi-platinum . In July of that year, Lynyrd Skynyrd was one of the headline acts at The Ozark Music Festival held at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, Missouri . </P> <P> In January 1975, drummer Burns left the band and was replaced by Kentucky native Artimus Pyle . The band's third album, Nuthin' Fancy, was recorded in 17 days . Kooper and the band parted by mutual agreement before its release, with Kooper left with the tapes to complete the mix . It had lower sales than its predecessor . Midway through its tour, Ed King left the band, citing tour exhaustion . In January 1976, backup singers Leslie Hawkins, Cassie Gaines and JoJo Billingsley (collectively known as The Honkettes) were added, although they were not considered official members . Lynyrd Skynyrd's fourth album Gimme Back My Bullets was released, but did not achieve the same success as the previous two albums . Van Zant and Collins both felt that the band was seriously missing the three - guitar attack that had been one of its early hallmarks . Although Skynyrd auditioned several guitarists, including such high - profile names as Leslie West, its search continued until Cassie Gaines began touting the guitar and songwriting prowess of her younger brother, Steve . </P>

When did lynyrd skynyrd open for the who