“I toured with Stevie Ray Vaughan when he was sober and he was a freak of nature. I couldn’t relate to his playing”: The Outlaws' Henry Paul on opening for The Rolling Stones, finding fame thanks to Lynyrd Skynyrd, and his one-of-one red Gretsch Falcon

Henry Paul.

Southern rock lynchpin Henry Paul has carved a career through rootsy experimentation, industry grind, and the resilience to rise again after being fired from The Outlaws, the band that made his name.

The popular outfit’s first national tour was as openers for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Arista Records’ Clive Davis saw gold and cut a deal – after Ronnie Van Zant told him, “If you don’t sign The Outlaws, you’re the dumbest music person I’ve ever met”, which probably helped.