Donnie Van Zant

Biography

Donald Newton Van Zant (born June 11, 1952) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known as a member of the band 38 Special, from its formation in 1974 until 2013. Van Zant was the original lead vocalist for the band, appearing in that role on their first two studio albums. He is the middle of three sons; his older brother Ronnie was the original lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd who died in a 1977 plane crash in Mississippi, and his younger brother Johnny has been the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd since 1987. Donnie and Johnny Van Zant also had performed together as the group Van Zant. For a time, Van Zant considered getting out of the music industry and taking a higher paying job at the railroad, but was persuaded to stay in music by his older brother Ronnie who told him, "It's in your blood". With the formation of 38 Special, it was a last attempt at success in the music industry for Donnie.

Bio from Wikipedia