Ronnie Van Zant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronnie Van Zant
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Van Zant in 1976
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ronald Wayne Van Zant |
| Born | January 15, 1948 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | October 20, 1977 (aged 29) Gillsburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1964–1977 |
Ronald Wayne Van Zant (born January 15, 1948 – died October 20, 1977) was an American singer and songwriter. He is best known as the main singer and a founding member of the famous southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Ronnie was the older brother of Johnny Van Zant, who later became the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd. His other brother, Donnie Van Zant, started and sang for the rock band .38 Special.
Contents
Early Life and Dreams
Ronnie Van Zant was born and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. His parents were Lacy Austin and Marion Virginia Van Zant. Before he found his passion for music, Ronnie had other dreams.
He admired the boxer Muhammad Ali and thought about becoming a boxer himself. He also played American Legion baseball and considered a career as a professional baseball player.
Music Career
Starting Lynyrd Skynyrd
In the summer of 1964, Ronnie Van Zant formed a band called My Backyard. He started it with his friends and schoolmates Allen Collins (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums).
The group tried out several names before choosing Lynyrd Skynyrd. This name was a playful nod to their high school gym teacher, Leonard Skinner. He was known for being strict about long hair, which inspired the band members to name their group after him.
Rise to Fame
The band became very popular starting in 1973. This was when they released their first album, (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd). It featured many hit songs like "I Ain't the One," "Tuesday's Gone," "Gimme Three Steps," and "Simple Man."
Their most famous song, "Free Bird," was also on this album. It was later dedicated to Duane Allman from The Allman Brothers Band, who had passed away. Lynyrd Skynyrd also gained attention by opening for The Who on their "Quadrophenia" tour in the U.S.
Their biggest hit song was "Sweet Home Alabama." This song came from their next album, Second Helping (1974). It was written as a response to songs by Neil Young.
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Tragic Death
On October 20, 1977, a plane carrying the band crashed. They were flying between shows from Greenville, South Carolina, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The plane ran out of fuel near Gillsburg, Mississippi.
The people on board knew there might be problems with the plane. They were told to get ready for a crash. Ronnie Van Zant died instantly from head injuries when the plane hit a tree. He was 29 years old.
Other people who died in the crash included bandmates Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines. Their assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary, and co-pilot William Gray also passed away. The other band members were seriously hurt.
Some friends and family members said that Ronnie often talked about not living a long life. His father, Lacy, recalled Ronnie saying, "Daddy, I'll never be 30 years old."
After the crash, Ronnie's younger brother, Johnny, became the new lead singer. This happened when the band got back together in 1987.
Ronnie Van Zant was buried in Orange Park, Florida, in 1977. His body was later moved because vandals broke into his tomb and that of bandmate Steve Gaines in 2000. Their memorials in Orange Park are still places fans can visit.
Personal Life
Ronnie Van Zant married Nadine Inscoe on January 2, 1967. Around this time, he also worked at his brother-in-law's auto parts store. People said Ronnie knew a lot about car parts and could remember them very well.
Ronnie and Nadine had a daughter named Tammy before they divorced in 1969. Tammy later became a musician. Ronnie then married Judy Seymour in 1972. They had a daughter named Melody in 1976. They were married until his death in 1977.
Judy Van Zant-Jenness later started Freebird Live in 1999. It was a music place in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, that showed Lynyrd Skynyrd memories.
Ronnie loved to fish. He also enjoyed baseball and was a fan of the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. He played baseball as a child and hoped to play professionally.
Legacy and Tributes
The Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park was built in Lake Asbury, Florida. Fans and family of the band helped pay for it.
Many of Ronnie's family members have honored him in their music. His brothers Johnny and Donnie wrote a song called "Brickyard Road" for Johnny's 1990 album. In a music video for the reformed Lynyrd Skynyrd, a white hat like Ronnie's is shown on a microphone at the end.
Ronnie's daughter Tammy, who was only 10 when he died, dedicated her 2009 album and music video "Freebird Child" to her father. Ronnie's cousin Jimmie Van Zant also recorded a tribute song called "Ronnie's Song."
The band Drive-By Truckers also honored Ronnie and the original band members on their album Southern Rock Opera.
The TV show Roadies had an episode called "The All-Night Bus Ride" that honored Van Zant and the band.
In 1978, the Charlie Daniels Band released a song called "Reflections." In it, Charlie Daniels talks about missing Ronnie.
Discography
- (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) (1973)
- Second Helping (1974)
- Nuthin' Fancy (1975)
- Gimme Back My Bullets (1976)
- One More from the Road (1976)
- Street Survivors (1977)
See also
In Spanish: Ronnie Van Zant para niños
- Lynyrd Skynyrd: I'll Never Forget You
