Essay On Ronald Wayne Van Zant

Ronald Wayne Van Zant is a very remembered musition to many people. He was the lead singer of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd and started their band while in high school in 1965. Van Zant and the band met big fame starting in 1973 with the releasing of their first Album (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd). This Album contained may popular songs like Freebird, SImple man, and Tuesday's gone. They had been opening for a number of different bands up until this point. They signed a contract with MCA records who thought they could be “the next Allman brothers” . Ronnie van zant strived to be the best and had even said “when were on the stage were here to win” The band met their fate on october 20 1977 when the band’s double engine fell out of the louisiana

sky. This plane crashed was the cause of death for Ronnie Van Zant , Guitarist Steve Gaines, sister and backup dancer Cassie gaines. The band thought that this was the end of Lynyrd Skynyrd but have since continued to play to this day despite many other inconveniences.

Ronald Wayne Van zant was born January 15th 1948 to father Lacy van zant and mother marion Van zant he was the oldest of 5.

Ronnie Van Zant attended Lee High School and loved to play baseball with his friends Gary Rossington and bob burns. (Ronnies biggest fan 2012) When he grew up he wanted to become stock car driver, boxer, or musician, Ronnie van zant was from jacksonville florida from a place known as shanty town which was a rougher part of jacksonville. When van zant and some friends went to highschool they were in trouble alot with the gym Coach Leonard Skinner for growing their hair and violating the dress codes. (Leonard Skinner 77 2010) Many of the boys van zant hung around did not have fathers so Van zant’s father Lacy Van zant went down to explain to the coach that having long hair was a part of their job as musicians. (Dewan

2004)

WHen vanzant started the Band with Co- musicians Bob Burns, Gary Rossington, Allen Collis, And Larry Junstorm they had chose the name My Backyard Later the band was changed to Nobil five, They had gone through a number of other names before deciding on the name One percent in 1968.(https;//en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynyrd_Skynyrd) Later the band used the name Lynyrd Skynyrd in tribute to their hated gym coach Leonard Skinner.

They had changed some letters around and then this was the name that stuck with them to this day. When Ronnie van zant and his friends had first made the band, they started out playing in bars and roadhouses . Until they got a gig opening gig for bands like The Rolling Stones and The Who. Van Zant and the band are the first band to open for the who and get cheered on for a encore. When opening for The Rolling Stones the audience liked Lynyrd skynyrd more than The Rolling Stones. When The band was was reaching fame they started playing sold out shows and coming out with more songs, even though bands craved the originals, such as freebird. Ronnie van zant was the father figure to the band. Van zant would make sure that the band stayed in shape, He would pick up the band mates in the back of his 1955 chevy pick up and take them to “Hell House” The practice spot of the band. (uhelszki 2016) Ronnie Van Zant had even once sued Band member and longtime friend Gary rossington $5000 For crashing his car while intoxicated after a labor day weekend party that

forced the band’s tour to start late. Ronnie Van zant had knocked out Billy Powells’ teeth twice for misbehavior. (uhelszki 2016)
Ronnie van zant was married to nadine Inscoe From 1967-1969 after they got divorced Ronnie had married Judy Seymour In 1972.(google n.d.) Ronnie had helped his brother Donnie Van Zant In making his own band known as 38.Special. His other brother Johnny Van zant had taken over the band as lead singer after Ronnie’s Death. Van zant was not a big fan of handguns and had even written a song about it called Saturday Night Special. He only had one gun that he used for hunting squirrels and rabbits. Ronnie says “i've got guns myself.” (elliot 2017) Lacy Van zant (father) recalled Ronnie telling him that he would not live to see 30 years old. When asked why He replied “ because that's my limit” Ronnie had died in the plane crash at age 29. Ronnie van zant had a short temper and also had been arrested a total of 12 times (uhelszki 2016) 5 of the times had been for drunkenness. Ronnie van zant not only had a short temper but would fight with anyone who got in his way, he would also always protect the Honkettes (The girl back up dancers) Van zant says (hughes 2014)
Ronnie Van zant’s life had came to a end on a sunny fall day of october 20 1977 along with Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, both pilots, And also a band manager. Before the plane left it was said to be having trouble flying and many of the band mates didn't feel right about getting on the plaine. Ronnie said “If it's your time to go, its your time to go” and then him and the rest of the band got on. Cassie Gaines Wanted to ride in the truck to the next show but had decided against it a the last second. When on their way to the next gig on the third day of their Street Survivors tour one of the plane's engines was running out of gas and acting up. THe plain could have made an emergency landing but chose to try and make it all the way to the next destination. WHen the plane had fell out of the sky of the coast Of baton rouge and skimmed some treetops. THe residents around the area claimed to have heard and even saw the plane going down. WHen the plain crashed the cockpit buckled and the passenger cabin came over the top launching ronnie van zant out of his seat and into a tree. Drummer artimus Pyle had bones broken and ribs cracked, He crawled through miles of forest to retrieve help. When paramedics arrived at the scene it was said that Ronnie Didn't seem to have a mark on him. But this wasn't the case for other band members such as Gary rossington who had to have years of rest and therapy to heal both the broken legs and arms. Ronnie had passed away on impact .(Pyle 1995) Judy Van zant ( wife) claims to have know exactly what they were calling about when they said that their plane had crashed. Ronnie van zant had also told her many times that he would not be long for this world. You could say that Lynyrd skynyrd died when Ronnie van zant died. It didn't play again until 1979 then not again until 1987 till now under the singing of Ronnie’s youngest brother Johnny van zant. To many people it's just no the same.