Ronald Wayne "Ronnie" Van Zant was the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and a founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was the older brother of .38 Special founder and vocalist Donnie Van Zant and current Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant. Ronnie was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Born on January 15th, 1948. Ronnie Van Zant died a tragic death on October 20th in 1977, when a Convair 240 carrying the band between shows from Greenville, South Carolina to Baton Rouge, Louisiana crashed outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi.
by Risown February 2, 2009
John Roy "Johnny" Van Zant. A musician who started performing in the 70's with The Austin Nickels Band before changing the name to The Johnny Van Zant Band. Most well known for his song Brickyard Road about his older brother Ronnie who died tragically in the plane crash that killed four members of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd along with their pilot and co-pilot. Coming from rock-n-roll royalty as it were, he is also the younger brother of Donnie Van Zant of .38 Special fame it was only natural when he stepped in as lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd in the 80's. His deep southern voice has become the sound of Southern Rock for the last two decades.
by valleydreamin February 7, 2011