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Leon Wilkeson Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Leon Wilkeson
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PatriciaLen
January 16, 2025
A phenomenal bass player! I love Leon's background vocals. He didn't get enough credit for that. Rest in peace. #neverforgotten
Randolph McLean/Woodstock N.B Canada
December 1, 2024
Always remembered,forever loved. A fan always.
James
March 23, 2024
One of the Greatest legendary Bass player of all time Great faith in the Lord
Timothy S Frieze
July 25, 2023
I got 2 photos of You I got them from a friend who use to photograph the band in the beginning I got them hanging on my wall. Also got to be friends with Ur Son Lee on Facebook. Lee is a great guy who I'm glad to know on Facebook he is very polite & down to earth u did a great job raising him. Well hope u & rest of members of skynyrd who passed on are Rocking Out In Heaven.....R.I.P. LEON U ARE MISSED DEARLY
Timothy S Frieze
July 25, 2023
Can't believe it's been 22 years since u left us Leon but Our Memory of U will Live on loved all the Different Hats U wore onstage U were One of a Kind. Glad to say I'm friends with Ur Son Lee he is a great Guy u raised him right Leon. U Are Missed Dearly by All Skynyrd fans say hi To Ronnie & Steve & Cassie from us fans. R.I.P. LEON AKA MAD HATTER. Gone But NOT FORGOTTEN TILL WE MEET AGAIN .......
Dale
July 24, 2023
Not Forgotten.
27July2023
Ray Barlow
June 15, 2019
Thinking of you brother
ROXANNE FUSANI
April 2, 2019
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEON! I THINK OF YOU OFTEN AND ALL THE GREAT TIMES YOU, TIM, MARIA, AND I HAD.YOU WERE SUCH A WONDERFUL PERSON AND YOU HELPED ME TO KNOW GOD AND HOW GOOD HE IS! YOU ALWAYS SAID GOD IS GOOD. WE LOST MOMA LILLIE LAST FEBRUARY AND SHE LOVED YOU TOO. WISH YOU WERE HERE. LOVE, ROXANNE
Really Rene'e
January 23, 2019
Leon.....the crash lent you so much chronic pain afterwards that I'm relieved you're out of pain and in Heaven. Besides that, you still are THE BEST Bass player EVER. BEST Rock band EVER.
An old schooler,
Rene'e
July 25, 2018
I've told this story 200 times, back in 76' saw Johnny and Edgar Winter & Lynyrd Skynyrd in Mass. well at the end of the show I ran around back stage and tried to get a pick from Johnny Winter but he and Edgar just run underneath me back stage. Well Leon walked out from back stage and I asked him if he had a pick he checked his pockets and just walk back stage, a minute later he came out with a drum stick from Johnny Winter group and threw it up to me and said, "you better appreciate that or I'll break your arm," I was smiling ear to ear and said thank you and he walk off. Great memory and great guy, I still tell that story to this day and always will.
David Misiolek
December 7, 2017
Leon you and Skynyrd were the best I became a fan back in 1977 unfortunately not long before the plane crash. God bless you and your family.
janae A.
April 26, 2017
Still to this day, whenever i find myself talking to someone about meeting you , a song from skynyrd comes on the radio at the same time. I like to think its a sign that your looking down on all your fans and hearing that we`ll never forget you!
February 15, 2016
Lee Lee! I miss you so very much! I just happened to pass by a special on TV and....BOOM - there you guys were! I miss the ONLY man brave enough to jump off of the back of the boat at night with me. To those that didn't know you personally, what a double loss. Much love! Always
January 26, 2015
so long Mad Hatter see you on the other side!!!!!
sandy wicker
January 2, 2015
you are and will always be missed ..........
diane selleck
August 5, 2014
you are part of a legend...my all time favorite band...skynyrd! RIP..you will be greatly missed...you rocked!!!
tim frieze
March 24, 2014
This candle is in memiry of the Greatest Bass player Ever RIP Leon
tim frieze
March 24, 2014
The Greatest Bass player of All time loved all the different Hathe use to wear onstage I got to Visit Leons Final Resting place along with Rest of Skynyrd members, Ronnie, Steve, Cassie Gaines I Started Crying Because I Loved these people as if they Were My Own Family May They RIP. Fly On FreeBirds!!!
w/Leon
Dale W
October 23, 2013
Linda Carroll
September 30, 2013
I will never forget the mad hatter I loved ya then and love ya now your music lives on
Phyllis Ruth Deadman
July 12, 2013
I Still Love You til this day ,
and every day. Listen to Simple man two or three plus times a dayM much LOVE
love em all,
andrew mcfadden
March 16, 2013
We can never forget ,THE MAN IN THE HAT,
Leon.
March 13, 2013
LEON I STILL THINK OF YOU AND REMEMBER ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD --YOU WERE SO GOOD TO ME AND MY FAMILY AND WE ALL LOVE YOU-----ROXANNE
the greatest lynyrd skynyrd line up ,ever.
andrew mcfadden
November 28, 2012
One great bass player and guy
lee wilkeson
March 6, 2012
Thank you, to everyone on here giving a simple man a shout out! He was a fan of the fans.
Nadine & Charlie Atkinson
July 27, 2011
Remembering Leon today.
It's hard to believe he's been gone 10 years...
Devon Glover
January 14, 2011
Bye Leon. have fun up in heaven. My Dads finally joined you! R.I.P. David Byron Glover (Glove). and R.I.P. Leon Wilkeson! You guys are finally reunited! Friends again!
Lenni Waggoner
June 21, 2010
I know this is a little late but I was very Sorry to hear of Thumper passing,
I am looking to reach Mary my Childhood Friend!!!
Lenni Waggoner Glazewski
[email protected]
954-401-6099
billy moore
February 7, 2010
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
james knight
October 25, 2008
i only new of you through the band ,never meet you but from what i,ve read you were a very nice guy to all.now your with your friends and god .peace
Kathleen Gordon
October 20, 2007
I met you when I was 15 and you were 16. We were talking on the phone one day while I was at my friends house. You and I made a date to meet at the beach. I hung up and walked home. By the time I got home my friend had stolen my date with you!!! (I forgive you, she did that alot) Your nickname was Thumper and you used to always say "I'll take about a half a cup" in a slow southern drawl. We went in separate directions. You got famous. I watched in amazement. In 1979 when I was 26 I was reaquainted with you and found out how kind, generous and respectful you were. You came to my defense one night when my husband was being cruel to me in public. You actually called him on it and I will NEVER forget how that made me feel. You are a great man and I will always remember you and have a special place in my heart for you. I will see you later. I know that you are in the presence of your Savior, Jesus. It doesn't get any better that that!
andrew mc fadden
May 16, 2007
im sure we will all miss thumper very much
Linda Montgomery
March 25, 2007
I've been thinking about Leon today - these many years past - and remembering Butch Lanham's comment that he exchanged all his hats for a "crown". What a wonderful thing to stop and think about.
Years help to diminish pain. And that's what it takes - years. At first grief is so hard, biting and cruel. It can still come at you out of nowhere years later, but it becomes manageable.
My prayers today are for remaining family and friends. It's been quite awhile now, but memories are living entities that never leave us, and Leon lives on in many ways still.
Russell Cummings
October 18, 2006
The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.
Theresa Porter
June 23, 2006
Leon, I still can't believe you're gone. I miss you. I miss those phone calls in the wee hours. I'd give anything to be that ticked off at you one more time. I should have stayed and kept the world from taking you down. You wouldn't have listened but I should have tried. All my love, Theresa B. your first and best
Glenn Iwanaga
June 2, 2006
God bless you Leon for all the beautiful music and memories that you gave us all. I'm a die-hard fan of you and the original band w/Ronnie,of course!!.
Jerry Simmons
December 29, 2005
Leon, I will miss you so much!!! you made the skynyrd band complete... fly on fly on.....
jerry
Rockingham NC
RICK LOWE
December 14, 2005
LEON WILL GREATLY BE MISSED BY ALL LYNYRD SKYNYRD FANS. THANKS MR.HATTER FOR THE MEMORYS ALLEN COLLINS BAND ON THE BEACH AT HANNA PARK JUST ONE OF THE MANY.
philippe goncalves
December 5, 2005
bonjour d'un fan français depuis toujours et encore plus aujourd'hui,tous mes regrets pour les proches et famille de leon nous pensons beaucoup à vous aussi mais la vie continue malgré tout
Iain Monk
November 28, 2005
Leon was a friendly, warm and considerate human being.
God rest his soul.
Iain
Edinburgh
Heather Hull
November 28, 2005
Leon will be greatly missed, I am only 19 years old but I grew up listening to Lynard Skynard. I am proud to say that I graduated from the place where their name came from Robert E. Lee Senior high. I am glad that there are people out there to carry on their music and come this year I finally get to see Van Zant in concert and I am very excited..Your life and music will live on for years to come.
Deborah Torres
September 23, 2005
I am very sorry for Leons family. i love lynrd skynrd I was very privileged to see everybody together before their lives were changed forever.I have been a fan since I was 17 thirty years ago. I know that lynrd skynrd will always be remembered as the best because they had the best from the start.
Priscilla (PT) Lewis
August 11, 2005
I grew up the southern music of all the greats, THANK YOU for giving me the heart & soul of life
and Lynyrd Skynyrd will live within me forever...
Nicole Knight
July 29, 2005
"The Mad Hatter" is deeply missed. Our only consolation is in knowing he is now reunited with Ronnie, Steve, Cassie & Dean in that great Rock n Roll Heaven in the sky.
~Fly Proud FreebYrd~
Love, Nicole
Klaus Herrmann
July 27, 2005
Today it´s four years ago that you gone.
I will still remember one of the best bass players.
Fly proud, Leon
Trent Lanham
June 22, 2005
leon, your the man. the influence you had on bassist was enormous. as a guitar player even i am amazed at how you played. it stinks that your gone, and you are very missed.
Jess Christie
May 14, 2005
Leon you will be missed by us all, but your memory will live on forever through all the wonderful music you have given us, rest in peace forever!!!
mitchell hunt
May 9, 2005
To my favorite bass player ever i wish i could have gone to lots more of your concerts but i couldnt rest in peace best friend ROCK ON!!!!
Greg Scott
April 24, 2005
To my #1 bass player of all time thanks for the memories.God bless,rest in peace.
Whiskey Rock-A Roller
April 18, 2005
May the MAD hatter! rest in peace at the great gig in the sky with his fallen brothers "Made in the shade" - Fletch
Klaus Herrmann
April 4, 2005
Since he was talking to me at the Loreleyconcert 1996 in Germany, for me leon was Skynyrds No. 1.
Friendly, so friendly. He was still the best, a great man.
I will never forget that day and love him forever.
Steve LaPlanche
March 18, 2005
To My Friend Leo,
I'll miss you forever my friend. I shall never forget how wonderful you and the band treated me and my party back stage after the December 1975 concert in Baltimore, Maryland. The Leon that I always loved and supported came to life to me that night. YOU NOT ONLY MADE THIS BAND SPECIAL BUT YOU MADE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE. As you move on to better times in the sky please don't forget us because, I know I'll never forget you. The world won't be the same without you. So my friend until we meet again. May God watch over you and your family.
Peace and Love,
Steve LaPlanche
Maryland's Skynyrd Fan
Dicky Ward
January 31, 2005
Mad Hatter you will always be in our hearts now you are another guest on the Freebird to that great gig in the sky, Skynyrd forever
James Murphy
January 23, 2005
Leon..you're a special dude. So glad you and the fellas will always be with us, cause nobody could ever take your place. Fly Free,Fly Proud Madhatter.
Much Love and Respect.
Mark Ward
January 12, 2005
Uncle Lonely, Thumper-
Heaven's got a good start on a great band! Hold down the rhythm section, Bud. I'll listen for your unmistakeable style when I get there and the first toast to southern women is on me.
Fly High, My Frynd.
-Mark Ward
Drums,
Cross-Tie Walker 1988-1998.
Kenneth Pauls
January 12, 2005
Fly high Free Bird! I'll miss you!
Pedro Tildes Gomes
January 7, 2005
Leon: the very best bass player of all times. I miss you...But I'll never forget you...
Dave "Buzncuzn" Anderson
January 5, 2005
Leon...
I'm gonna write this like you are still with us...'cause you are. You ain't went nowhere...just a different astral plane I reckon. We had us some good times in Atlanta and by God we had us some haunts to shake down. The Reckless band was kickin' it down at Dotties on Memorial Drive...you'd come in to the club fresh off the Tribute tour, and yet have time to do 2 whole sets of material when you'd sit in with us. Then off to Waffle House we all would go...damn at the conversations we had over Casa De Waffle coffee...LOL.
Mcgruder's would see us drive up and go "Oh God..". Fuzzy's always would produce a good sit in too...cramped in elbow room...but Lord at the jams you'd would get into with the house band. I remeber some good times shared at The Bottle Shop in Buckhead...Shiki's Sushi...The list of haunts is endless as well as the feeling of brotherhood you take with you wherever you go.
And now it is, as it ever shall be, and ever will be...a Madhatter's Paradise....filled with the house moving, soul shakin' bottom end you brung with you wherever you'd be playing. The person you are and always will be is magnified by the body of music tattooed on our souls.
You make me proud to be a Southerner buddy...God Bless ya and one question for ya....
"Do bass amps where you're at crank up to 11 ? " Thumper's got a brand new gig ! ! !
Always your Frynd.....
Dave Fuller-Anderson
Nashville, Tennessee
The Buzzin Cuzzinz Band
(formerly of Reckless /Burns & Co.)
Gin Caston
January 5, 2005
Fly high freebird! Rest in peace.
DeLois Livermore
January 5, 2005
Loved your music, your hats, your smile and your humor, both on and off stage. You used to play at the Crab Pot sometimes when I went there and it was always good to hear the music. Fly high, Leon!
Billy McManus
January 5, 2005
Leon you and the guys have given me so much pleasure over the years and you stil continue to do so to this day. Keep flyin' high!
thomas jeffers
January 1, 2005
i saw skynyrd last night in ky. the last time i saw skynrd was in june 2001 in ohio i whent there with my kids they loved it i got a pick from leon that night it is on my skynyrd wall now and it will be there 4 life thank u 4 being the bass player for 30+years and the show in ky last night was not the same it was missing you
Douglas Schnell
November 6, 2004
so-long leon fly free
CAT SHORT
November 1, 2004
THE LAST TIME I SAW THE BAND HER IN INDY I WAS IN A WHEEL CHAIR-THE ROAD MANGER CAME UP,AND SAID HEY THESE ARE FROM LEON-GARY,AND THE BAND THEY NEVER FORGOT THERE FANS AND STILL DON'T HOW COULD WE EVER FORGET THEM!I WILL CHERISH THOSE PICKS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFETHERE ALL ABOUT LIV'IN LOVEN,AND REMEBERING!I LOST MY HUSBAND 35-AFTER 16 YES. MARRIED BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU~WILL I REMEMBER-EVERYDAY YA'ALL EVERYDAY!
Scott Kzak
October 20, 2004
What can you say about a man who gave us all the privilage of being able to listen to the best music in the world?
Thank you Leon...Thank you....
susan clark
October 14, 2004
Leon,
May you rest in peace. You are missed by all.You are still my favorite bass player. Thanks for the bass lessons my friend! It is not the same here without you.
Don
October 13, 2004
Thanks for everything you ever did for me Buzzy. The fish are bitin' bra so grab a pole and relax.
frank keegan
September 30, 2004
last time i seen leon was in pittsburg pa, star lake, they recorded 20 live, i sat by the sound guys, what a night,
Scott Morrow
September 26, 2004
I just want to pay my respects to one of Skynyrd's fallen. You are missed.
Fly on Freebird!
Henjo Legters
September 19, 2004
Leon,
You were a great bassplayer and we will miss you. When Lynyrd Skynyrd played in The Netherlands in 2003 at the Arrow Rock Festival i'm sure you have seen the concert from above and really enjoyed it.
GOD BLESS YOU.
howard curry
September 15, 2004
Leon,
You are missed by many throughout the world. Thanks for many years of wonderful music. You were a great musician with his own way of keeping that base line alive. Our loss is heaven's gain. Rock on!
john maisel
September 10, 2004
god bless you leon.i wish ronnie and steve would of waited a little longer before they called you up there.
rob johnson
September 6, 2004
I was definitely stunned. GOD BLESS YOU Mr.WILKESON.
Ted Maher
August 15, 2004
Leon, you are one of the greatest bass players of all time. I miss not seeing you on the LYVE DVD and was touched that the Mississippi Kid had your photo on the back of his bass. You are sorley missed. Say hi to Ronnie, Steve, Cassie and Lacy for me.
mark pelc
August 15, 2004
Leon has been my idol for a long time,im a bass player,and try to mold myself to his tech.i miss him,he was a great funny man,and a true musician,hes with ronnie,steve and cassie,andalan and the crew,god bless ya leon,and thanks for the music,mark pelc
RAY CALVERLEY
August 14, 2004
LEON, I HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME FAN OF LYNYRD SKYNYRD. OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS SOME FRIENDS AND I HAVE FORMED A BAND CALLED SWORN 2, SORT OF A LYNYRD SKYNYRD COVER BAND IF YOU WILL. ANYWAY OUR BASS PLAYER REMINDS ME OF YOU. NOT IN LOOKS, BUT THE WAY YOU WERE ON STAGE ALWAYS HAVING FUN. HIS MOTO IS IF I STOP HAVING FUN I'LL STOP PLAYING MUSIC.
mark pelc
August 8, 2004
leon was a definite driving force in the band,i admired his bass playing,as myself a bass player,am trying to follow his lead,my hero,,,ill miss him,but i feel he;s jammin with ronnie and steve in the sky,,,,,,,,Fly on freebird,,mark Pelc
Cindy Tharp
August 5, 2004
Dear Leon was thinking about the old days at crabpot when you would suprise us showing up and playing with our house band's such as Neal Dixon and RALPHE and THE JAMMERS love and miss you and Iknow you are playing for all the angels
Dawn Fox
July 28, 2004
It's hard to believe it has been 3 years. Where does the time go. What can I say that already hasn't been said about Leon.
The most vivid memory I have is seeing the band at the Florida Theater, on the Twenty tour. It was the third song in the set,Voodoo Lake,the stage was covered in fog,the back drop was a swamp and then out of no where came these green floating lights,they were attached to the hat Leon was wearing. The thought that ran in my mind was,man this guy really is awsome. He was very creative on stage and I guess that's what i'll remember most.
MAD HATTERS MOVIN ON
"TUESDAY"
Ron Brown
July 28, 2004
Hey, Leon....How's the sound sysytem in Heaven? "How 'bout a hand for the Jammer?!"
Vicky Benedict
July 27, 2004
Your place in the greatness of Skynyrd has not and will never be forgotten. You are with Ronnie, Steve, and Cassie now, but in our hearts, you live forever.
Amy Haggermaker
July 27, 2004
Never to be forgotten. Forever in our hearts and souls. RIP
Dave & Denise Walters
July 27, 2004
Leon thanks for the memories !
We are so glad we saw you perform live in 2001 ...your presence is missed so much.
One of a kind.
Dave and Denise
Jeffers Dodge
July 27, 2004
I never met you. But I heard great things about you. How you never said a bad word about anybody. And how much you loved feeding the seagulls. I guess the good really do die young
Richie Franklin
July 27, 2004
I have met all of the Skynyrd Band members since 1987 when I first saw them at the Volunteer Jam 13 in Nashville. Never has any member ever been more gracious then what Leon was. In Richmond he took time to take pictures, sign autographs, and even came up to our hotel room to have a drink. Leon you are truly missed my man!
Kat Dalton
July 27, 2004
You are not forgotten Leon
Nor will you ever be,
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.
We miss you now, are hearts are sore
As time goes by, we miss you more.
Your loving smile, your gentle face,
stored in our hearts, in a special place.
God Bless the Simpleman!
Orlando Montes
July 25, 2004
Leon, you're the one that stood out in all the films I've seen. LS has been through many hard times; a band that really speaks to the masses.
thomas fullam
July 19, 2004
The mad hatter lives on. I met Leon in the late 80's. He was checking out the opening act, "Junk Yard", I turned and there he was. I said "are you Leon?" He said "everybody says he looks like Leon." Then off he went. Thats my brief brush with greatness.Later in '97 he signed my guitar. Ean is doing just great filling in for you Leon. God bless you and yours. Thank you for the music.
Steve P
July 14, 2004
Leon was a great bass player. I will sure miss him on records and in concert. Its sad to see him pass but at least he is with his brothers. One day, all the original Skynyrd brothers will reform and rock on!!!
Keep Playing Leon!!
Dave Frank
June 24, 2004
Leon will be greatly missed! I am a bass player, and occasionally will jam Skynyrd songs with fellow friend musicians. As I am learning (or trying to learn)the bass lines that Leon layed down, I find myself getting goosebumps. He is definitely one of the most underrated bass Players ever! He's jamming again with Ronnie,Steve, and Allen on God's Stage! God Bless, and Rest in Peace Leon!
john schnell
June 20, 2004
Miss you leon you will live on in your music. rest in peace.
Renick Wooley
June 20, 2004
Leon...He was my biggest inspration on my bass playing, he could pull down any bass line just perfect, he was a great musician and person. I nearly choke up in tears when I see footage of Leon with Ronnie, Allen, Steve, and Cassie (God rest their souls). He is missed by me and all his other fans but, he lives on in our hearts, his music, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
God bless you Leon.
Larry Wong
June 9, 2004
I am going to miss you forever.
James Stalcup
May 30, 2004
Leon,you are missed tremendously.To me,your bass playing gave Skynyrd the unique sound that defined the band.You were the best,Rest in Peace.
Van Waldrop
May 20, 2004
I have always known Skynyrd to be the best band that ever was,and still is today. How heartfelt it was when Ronnie,Steve,Cassie died in that plane crash, now Leon has left us, how sad, very sad. One day the band will be united and will continue where they left off.
Leon, my brother, God bless you and your family and I am looking forward to seeing all you guys again.
You were,no doubt, the best basset player ever.
You're truly be missed.
Rest in peace!
ed rodriguez
May 19, 2004
i will bring the true lynyrd skynyrd sound back with my cover slash tribute band this is no joke watch everything will sound the same just the faces will be different i will not let the guys down that have passed away. skynyrd will rule again.
Wil Bell
April 29, 2004
I am The biggest Skynyrd Fan out there, and im also starting out as a bass player in my own bad one of the biggesy inspirations in my life is Lynyrd SKynyrd and leon wilkeson is the most underrated bassist ever.
Troy Primeaux
February 29, 2004
I had the pleasure of seeing Leon play with the boys in Lafayette a few years ago.... Leon you are one of the best, in a class with Paul McCartney and John Paul Jones... Most of all, I hear you were such a nice guy. Hopefully someday we will get to have a talk in the gates of heaven. Rock on Free Bird!
Primo
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