Most of the songs on the album had been in the band's live repertoire for some time. The band found a rural rehearsal space near
Jacksonville, Florida, which they nicknamed "Hell House" due to the long hours spent there jamming in the intense Florida heat, and it was there that they composed and ran through the songs endlessly until they were perfected. Producer
Al Kooper marveled at how well prepared the band were once they entered the studio; every note was immutable and absolutely no improvisation was allowed.
Atlanta Rhythm Section drummer and friend of the band
Robert Nix was requested by Van Zant and Kooper to play on the track "
Tuesday's Gone". As the band worked up "
Simple Man" in rehearsal, Kooper expressed his feeling that the song was weak and should not be included on the album. The band felt differently on both counts and could not change Kooper's mind. Ultimately, Van Zant escorted the producer outside to his car and ordered him to remain there until the song was recorded. The band recorded the song on their own with the producer absent from the studio, and it subsequently became one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's best known tracks. ==Artwork==