Personal Issues Were Taking a Toll
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s fan base grew rapidly throughout 1973. Their 1974 follow-up album, Second Helping, cemented the band’s breakthrough. Their single “Sweet Home Alabama” was a response to Neil Young’s “Southern Man” and “Alabama.” Young and Van Zant weren’t rivals, but rather fans of each other’s music and good friends. During the band’s peak years, “Sweet Home Alabama” was the only single to make it to the top ten.
Source: Society of Rock
By 1975, personal issues were taking their toll on the band. Drummer Burns left after suffering a mental breakdown during a European tour. He was replaced by Kentucky native and former Marine Artimus Pyle. The third album, Nuthin’ Fancy, was recorded in just 17 days. Kooper wasn’t happy with the band’s lack of preparation, and they parted ways by mutual agreement before it was ever released. Kooper left with the tapes to complete the mix.