FACTOID # 42: English speaking kids are the world's biggest novel readers - but the least enthusiastic comic readers.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

SEARCH ALL

FACTS & STATISTICS    Advanced view

Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 

 

(* = Graphable)

 

 


Encyclopedia > Artimus Pyle

Artimus Pyle was drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1975 to 1992.

Long considered the "wild man" of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Artimus Pyle's powerful and distinctive double bass drumming helped define the legendary Skynyrd sound. Photoshoot for 1973 debut album Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American Southern rock band, described by All Music Guides Stephen Thomas Erlewine as the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious, Southern image and a hard rock swagger. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...


Born at St Joseph's Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky on July 15, 1948, Thomas Delmar Pyle, the only son of Clarence and Mildred Pyle. Almost from his earliest memories, Artimus recalls being fascinated by rhythm and sound. Even his first love -- horses -- came from the rhythmic clopping as they moved. Tommy and his two sisters were always around horses and animals as they grew up spending a lot of time with their grandparents. Artimus' first memory involves falling off a horse at age seven. When asked if he was OK after picking himself up, the confident Tommy replied, "Yep, it's a long way down though."


When Tommy turned twelve, his dad bought him a real set of drums -- a used Slingerland rig that he treasured. This gift soon led to the formation of his first band, The Thom Thumbs. The Slingerland Drum Company is a historic drum company which is linked to the rich history of jazz drumming. ...


After graduating high school, Tommy entered the Marine Corps where he performed extremely well. He was selected the best honor recruit in 1968, which netted him the award of a full-dress Marine uniform from the Leatherneck magazine. His career in Marines, although short, was rewarding and an influence that remains to this day. When he left the Marines, Tommy enrolled at Tennessee Technical College in Cookeville, Tennessee. Here Tommy was transformed into Artimus. Still "baby-faced" despite the years in the Marines, his buddies at the school renamed him in honor of the virgin moon goddessArtemis. As college friends met hometown friends, Artimus stuck. United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...


Although he had developed other interests and jobs, music continued calling Artimus and he returned to the drums. His first real break came with the Charlie Daniels band's Volunteer Jam. His first recording lists -- Artimus Pyle, percussion. Then with other work for the Marshall Tucker Band, Artimus became known as a powerful session drummer. Charlie Daniels performs at a USO concert at Camp Victory, Iraq on April 10, 2005 Charles Edward Daniels (born October 28, 1936 in Wilmington, North Carolina) is an American country music, Southern rock, and jazz singer, fiddler, and guitarist. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Marshall Tucker Band is a southern rock band, who in 1973 released their first EP, simply titled The Marshall Tucker band. Originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina, the Marshall Tucker Band still play up to 150 shows in a year. ...


Using his connections with Charlie Daniels and Marshall Tucker, both acts that toured often with Skynyrd, Artimus met with Ronnie Van Zant and Ed King at Studio One in Doraville, Georgia. The results of that meeting -- Saturday Night Special -- greatly impressed Ronnie. Artimus' live debut with the band took place in Jacksonville's Sgt Pepper's Club in October 1974. The gig, a show to raise money and awareness for Jacksonville's food bank, was hot. Everyone remembers the band walking through the front door and into a crush of people that doubled the legal occupancy of the club. Playing under the hot lights in an over-packed club with an underpowered air conditioner made for a memorable night. When Bob Burns left the band permanently following Skynyrd's first European tour in December 1974, Artimus quickly got the nod as Skynyrd's new drummer. Ronnie Van Zant (January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977) was the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and a founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. ... Ed King Ed King (born September 14, 1949 in Glendale, California) is an American musician. ...


The years Artimus played with Skynyrd were the years that solidified the legend behind the band. Quickly developing into one of the nation's top touring draws with a grueling schedule of 300 shows a year, the constant work and touring paid off. By October 20, 1977, Skynyrd’s songs had become radio staples. Their latest album, Street Survivors, had just been released to critical and popular acclaim. Their ambitious new tour, just days underway, saw sellout crowds. Then it all fell away at 6000 feet above a Mississippi swamp.


At 6:42 PM, the pilot of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s chartered Convair 240 airplane radioed that the craft was dangerously low on fuel. Less than ten minutes later, the plane crashed into a densely wooded thicket in the middle of a swamp. The crash, which killed Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, vocalist Cassie Gaines, road manager Dean Kilpatrick and seriously injured the rest of the band and crew, shattered Skynyrd’s fast rising star as it cut a 500 foot path through the swamp. Lynyrd Skynyrd had met a sudden, tragic end. A restored Convair 240 in Western Air Lines livery, at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. ... Cassie Gaines (July 5, 1948-October 20, 1977) was an American musician and member of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. ...


When the time came for the crash survivors to continue their musical careers with the Rossington-Collins band, Artimus was originally slated to resume his duties on drums. Shortly before the recording project got underway though, he was involved in a serious motorcycle crash in South Carolina. His injuries prevented Artimus from joining Rossington Collins, but the following year he released his own album, A.P.B. with the Artimus Pyle Band. Followed with Nightcaller in 1983.


At the time of the ten year anniversary of Skynyrd's plane crash Artimus was living and studying in Jerusalem. When the call came about reforming Skynyrd for the 1987 Tribute Tour Artimus returned to the States the next day. What was originally set up as a one-time event, stretched into a three year tour across the country. Then in 1991, Lynyrd Skynyrd '91 released the first new recordings in 14 years. The tour supporting the album was a tense and grueling one for Artimus, and resulted in his leaving Skynyrd in August. Since leaving the band Artimus has always remained active in his own musical projects.


Artimus Pyle is also a band from San Fransisco known for their fast drumming, thrashing guitars, and indecernable screams. They often slow their manic paced music down giving it a dark atmospheric affect.


External links



 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.