Ronnie Van Zant

Ronald Wayne Van Zant (January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977) was an American singer, best known as the founder, lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was the older brother of Johnny Van Zant, the current lead vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Donnie Van Zant, the founder and vocalist of the rock band .38 Special.

Ronnie Van Zant was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. His father was Lacy Austin Van Zant (1915–2004) and his mother Marion Virginia (née Hicks) Van Zant (1929–2000). He was of paternal Dutch heritage. A fan of boxer Muhammad Ali, Ronnie considered a career in boxing, and while playing American Legion baseball considered a career in professional baseball.

Van Zant formed a band called My Backyard late in the summer of 1964 with friends and schoolmates Allen Collins (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums). The quintet went through several names before deciding on Lynyrd Skynyrd, as a mock tribute to their high school gym teacher Leonard Skinner at Robert E. Lee High School, which all band members had attended except Collins. Skinner's strict enforcement against long hair inspired the members to name their band after him.

The band's rise to prominence began in 1973 with the release of their debut album, (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), which had a string of hits that included "I Ain't the One", "Tuesday's Gone", "Gimme Three Steps", "Simple Man", and what became their signature song, "Free Bird", later dedicated to the late Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band.

The band also gained exposure when they were selected as the opening act for the US portion of The Who's Quadrophenia tour.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.