Donald Newton Van Zant (born June 11, 1952) is an American
rock and roll
Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...
singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known as a member of the band
38 Special
38 Special or 0.38 Special or .38 Special, may refer to:
* .38 Special, a revolver cartridge
Music
* 38 Special (band), an American rock band
** ''38 Special'' (album), the 1977 debut album of the band 38 Special
* .38 Special (song), a 2022 ...
, 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
Lynyrd Skynyrd (, ) is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The group originally formed as My Backyard and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom ...
who died in a
1977 plane crash in Mississippi, and his younger brother
Johnny
Johnny is an English language personal name. It is usually an affectionate diminutive of the masculine given name John (given name), John, but from the 16th century it has sometimes been a given name in its own right for males and, less commonly ...
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.
According to a posting in March 2013 on the 38 Special website, "Donnie Van Zant has not been able to join the band's performances for the past six months. In accordance with his doctor's strict orders and due to health issues related to inner-ear nerve damage, he will not be able to join 38 Special onstage in the foreseeable future. Donnie will continue to write and record with the band." However, it was announced later in 2013 that he had officially left 38 Special and was retiring.
References
External links
38 Special WebsiteThe Van Zants – Brothers Johnny & Donnie
1952 births
38 Special (band) members
American rock singers
Living people
Singers from Jacksonville, Florida
Van Zant (band) members
American people of Dutch descent
20th-century American singers
21st-century American singers
20th-century American male singers
21st-century American male singers
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