Ronnie Van Zant

Born in Jacksonville, Fla., Ronnie Van Zant was an American singer, best known for being the original lead vocalist and founding member of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. In the summer of 1964, Van Zant formed a band called My Backyard with Allen Collins (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass) and Bob Burns (drums). The quintet went through several names before deciding on Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mock tribute to their high school gym teacher Leonard Skinner. In 1973, the band released their debut album, "(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)." The band also gained exposure when they were selected as the opening act for the US portion of The Who's Quadrophenia tour. Lynyrd Skynyrd's biggest hit single was "Sweet Home Alabama" (1974). On October 20, 1977, a plane carrying the band between shows from Greenville, South Carolina, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ran out of fuel and crashed. Van Zant died on impact. Ronnie Van Zant was 29 years old.