Ronnie Van Zant | |
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![]() Van Zant in 1975 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Ronald Wayne Van Zant |
Born | Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. | January 15, 1948
Died | October 20, 1977 Gillsburg, Mississippi, U.S. | (aged 29)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 1964–1977 |
Formerly of | Lynyrd Skynyrd |
Ronald Wayde Van Zant (January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977)[1] was an American singer. He is known for helping make the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and also singing for it. He is the older brother of Johnny Van Zant and Donnie Van Zant, two other musicians.
On October 20, 1977, Van Zant died in a plane crash.[2] A plane was taking the band from South Carolina to Louisiana, but it ran out of fuel. He died when the plane hit the ground because of head injuries.[3] He was 29 years old. People spent money to make the Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park in Lake Asbury, Florida for him after he died.