FROM FEEDING CHICKENS IN BENBECULA TO ROCK N ROLL MUSIC FAME

So, how did I , a boy from the Outer Hebrides end up being the leading authority on Lynyrd Skynyrd, one of the world’s iconic rock bands, and became pals with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees whose hits include Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama?

Well, it began for me in the most un-rock’n’roll surroundings imaginable in a Gaighlig-speaking home on the Isle of Benbecula. My only access to rock and pop was the crackly sound of Radio Luxembourg.

When I moved to high school on the neighbouring island of North Uist I met my English teacher, a lovely man from Lewis named Gordon MacDonald. Apart from being an inspirational teacher, Gordon had a large collection of records and on a Friday afternoon he would bring some of these into school for his pupils to listen to. It was when Gordon lent me his copy of the Lynyrd Skynyrd live album ‘One More From The Road’ that my musical education was complete. I’d never heard of the band. On the bus on the way home I read the liner notes and gazed at the band pictures – seven long haired hellraisers from Jacksonville, Florida.

Forty-seven years on, I still remember the moment I first heard that record. I carefully placed the needle on the vinyl on my parents' old box record player. The thundering drums, crashing guitar chords, all lapped up by a raucous rock and roll crowd who stomped their feet and cheered themselves hoarse. The sound took my breath away; it was extraordinary and exhilarating like nothing I’d ever heard before – and it seemed like another planet compared to the Outer Hebrides. I was captivated by the passion, technical excellence and musical integrity that underpinned the band's sound. I was drawn like a moth to a flame by Ronnie Van Zant, Skynyrd’s charismatic frontman and leader, chief lyricist and the band’s heart, soul and driving force who was complemented by a magnificently talented band. When I gathered together enough pocket money I started buying the band’s other LP’s and then, as my devotion grew, band memorabilia.

In October 1977, three days after the Skynyrd released their ‘Street Survivors’ LP, tragedy struck when the band’s chartered plane crashed in a Mississippi swamp killing frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister Cassie Gaines who sang backup vocals in the band. The rock world mourned the loss of one of its most exciting and distinctive artists and we are left to ponder what could have been if cruel fate had not intervened and silenced the group at its peak.

Since 1987, when the surviving members reformed, I have seen the band 35 times and have become friends with the band and their families. In 1988, I flew to New York for three shows and the band’s management company set me up with an all access backstage pass and invited me to travel between shows on the band’s tour bus. In the years that followed I cris-crossed the US and Europe on numerous tours following the band from city to city. Atlanta, Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., Portland and Seattle were just some of the amazing places I visited. I was treated like royalty by the band.

In 1997 I flew to America’s west coast for two shows and then jetted to Florida to holiday with Skynyrd guitarist Randall Hall who had invited me to stay with his family. One minute I was feeding the chickens or mucking out the byre on the family croft, the next I was travelling on the Skynyrd tour bus hanging out with my heroes. I was living the dream.

Last year I was asked to pen the epilogue to a new 400-page coffee table-style photo book celebrating the American rock icons’ roller coaster history. ‘Pronounced - A Photographic History of Lynyrd Skynyrd’ - explores the classic years of the band between 1973-1977 through the lens of the world’s greatest music photographers. As well as writing the epilogue, I also dated and provided venue information for all the pictures as well as supplying images and rare band memorabilia from my own collection.

Former Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle who played in the classic 70s line up praised my involvement in the book: “Lynyrd Skynyrd loved Scotland and the thousands of fans that flocked to our shows in the legendary Glasgow Apollo. We enjoyed brilliant times in the city, the warm welcome and excellent hospitality we received was humbling. Iain Monk, our Scottish superfan, has dedicated his life to celebrating the band’s music. Reading the epilogue that he wrote for the new Skynyrd photobook moved me greatly. It’s incredible. I fought back the tears reading his beautiful, deeply personal, heart warming tribute. I thank him for all he has done to keep alive the memory of Lynyrd Skynyrd.”

The book marks the culmination of my remarkable bond with the band which spans almost fifty years and it was an honour to write the book’s epilogue. I poured my heart and soul into crafting the right words to do justice to the memory of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Looking back to that day after school in my parents’ living room, I just can’t quite believe the journey I’ve been on with the band. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s music ignited a passion in my heart 47 years ago that remains undimmed. It’s been one hell of a ride.