Ronald Wayne Van Zant (January 15, 1948 - October 20, 1977) [1] was an American singer, best known as the original lead vocalist, primary lyricist and a founding member of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Updated April 24, 2023 For years, Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant claimed he would die before 30. Then when he was still 29, he was killed in a brutal plane crash in the Mississippi woods. Tom Hill/Getty Images Ronnie Van Zant, a little over a year before the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash that killed him and several members of his band.
Ronnie Van Zant Ronnie van zant, Lynyrd skynyrd, Southern rock
Ronnie Van Zant's bandmates were anxious as they prepared to board their leased plane at Greenville, South Carolina's Downtown Airport on the afternoon of October 20th, 1977. And they had good. Early in the flight, witnesses recall that lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant was lying on the floor with a pillow, having been up most of the previous night and being in need of sleep. Several other passengers passed the time by playing cards. 5′ 10¾″ (1.80 m) Mini Bio Ronnie Van Zant was born on January 15, 1948 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the oldest son of six children (3 sisters and 2 brothers - musicians Donnie and Johnny). Ronnie attended Lee High School in Jacksonville with fellow band members Gary Rossington and Allen Collins. L-R: Ronnie Van Zant, Ed King, Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson, Artemis Pyle, Allen Collins (Image credit: Len DeLessio) Every band needs a leader, and in Lynyrd Skynyrd's case it was Ronnie Van Zant. Standing just over five-and-a-half-feet in his cowboy boots, what he lacked in physical stature he made up for in presence and.
Ronnie Van Zant. Lynyrd Skynyrd Ronnie van zant, Southern rock, Rock music
Among the dead, lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. Guitarist Steve Gaines. Steve's sister Cassie, one of the Honkettes - Skynyrd's backing vocalists. Road manager Dean Kilpatrick and the aircraft's two pilots. Rossington doesn't need aches and pains to remind him of that day - it's something that will haunt him forever. "Ronnie knew that he was going to die." As the Houston Press reports, the crash took Van Zant's life, as well as the lives of band member Steve Gaines and his sister, backup singer Cassie; and Dean Kilpatrick, the assistant road manager. The pilot and co-pilot also died; 20 others aboard lived. On Oct. 20, 1977, Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd was killed in a plane crash. Watch as bandmates and friends reflect on this tragic day..more.more RandallTSkynyrd 741K views 11 years ago. Lynyrd Skynyrd ( / ˌlɛnərd ˈskɪnərd / LEN-ərd SKIN-ərd) [2] is an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida. The group originally formed as My Backyard in 1964 and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocalist), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass guitar), and Bob Burns (drums).
Former Skynyrd Members Reflect On The Talent & Extraordinary Genius Of Country Rebel
Members of Southern Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd (L-R Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins) pose by their trailer backstage at an outdoor concert in October. He survived the incident and admitted he was under the influence at the time, prompting bandmates Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins to write "That Smell" — an ominous tune warning "Say you.
And as the world knows the plane went down Oct. 20, three days after the release of their Street Survivors album, killing singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines and severely injuring most everyone else. The album cover? Skynyrd returned to the daily grind of one-nighters on the Southern bar circuit. Ronnie married Judy Seymour in Waycross, Georgia on November 18, 1972. They met in 1969 when Gary introduced Ronnie to Judy at a One Percent gig at the Comic Book Club in Jacksonville. Several of the players in Lynyrd Skynyrd had now married and the time was.
Ronnie Van Zant 1977 Photograph by Lawrence Movera
Plane crash survivors and rescuers met in rural Mississippi on Sunday. Judy Van Zant-Jenness, widow of Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, among speakers. The day, 42 years after the. Photos Known for: Kingsman: The Secret Service 7.7 Soundtrack ("Free Bird") 2014 Crimson Tide 7.3 Soundtrack ("Sweet Home Alabama") 1995 Boss Level
