Johnny Van Zant, better known as the lead vocalist of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, has a storied legacy in the industry. From his solo ventures, to “Sweet Home Alabama” and the surprise popularity of “Free Bird” on platforms like TikTok, Van Zant, along with his brother Ronnie Van Zant, have made their lasting imprint on the country-rock intersection.
Videos by American Songwriter
Johnny Van Zant has been a performer since he was fifteen, ultimately settling on vocals as his trade of choice. Accompanied by Robbie Gay and Ribbue Morris, the three formed the Austin Nickels Band under the guidance of Ronnie Van Zant.
Lynyrd Skynyrd would form in 1970 and record a few demos—their ticket to a record deal with MCA in 1973. The band was set to make it big, cementing themselves as rock legends early on in their career. But tragedy struck the band, and family, in 1976, when Ronnie Van Zant was among the casualties of a plane crash in 1976, along with guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister, Cassie Gaines. The band would go quiet for most of the 1980s, until 1987 when the original members reunited, recruiting Johnny for lead vocals. In part due to Johnny’s will to revitalize Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band has become what it is today.
His legacy is not strictly tied to Lynyrd Skynyrd, either, as he had a prolific solo career. He released his first record, No More Dirty Deals, in 1980, followed by Round Two and Last of the Wild Ones in 1981 and 1982. Though his albums were largely successful, he lost interest in the project. Nevertheless, Johnny Van Zant has remained active in the country-rock scene, frequently seen collaborating with, and inspiring, other artists.
1. “All Summer Long,” Kid Rock (2007)
Written by Waddy Wachtel, Ed King, Uncle Kracker, LeRoy Marinell, Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, Warren Zevon, Kid Rock
It’s no secret that Kid Rock sampled “Sweet Home Alabama” on his 2007 smash hit, but it is worth noting how Johnny Van Zant and Lynyrd Skynyrd have embraced the song.
“Sweet Home Alabama” was released in 1974, opening their sophomore album Second Helping. The song peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the charts for seventeen weeks. Second Helping rose to No. 12 on the Billboard 200, making it one of their highest-performing albums to date. Gary Rossington told Garden & Gun in 2015 that the song was an ode to the state of Alabama, as, “We had toured there, going all around playing clubs and National Guard armories. Everyone was real nice.”
The song can be heard in between the verses of “All Summer Long,” and is name-dropped in the hook. Kid Rock intended to pay homage to both “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon on “All Summer Long.” The song details a summer fling between Rock and a girl he knew when he was younger, and the illicit activities they participated in.
And we were trying different things
We were smoking funny things
Making love out by the lake to our favorite song
Sipping whiskey out the bottle, not thinking ’bout tomorrow
Singing “Sweet Home Alabama” all summer long
The song peaked at No. 23 on the Hot 100 and achieved international popularity as well. Lynyrd Skynyrd has frequently collaborated with Kid Rock, performing both “All Summer Long” and “Sweet Home Alabama” together. The two acts also toured together in 2009.
2. “Red, White And Blue,” Jesse Keith Whitley (2022)
Written by Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Johnny Van Zant, Donald Van Zant
“Red, White And Blue” by Jesse Keith Whitley, son of Lorrie Morgan and Keith Whitley, is a cover of the Lynyrd Skynyrd song by the same name.
“Red, White And Blue” was released in 2003, when Johnny Van Zant had fully committed himself to the band. The song rejects pop culture conglomerates, and the limelight Lynyrd Skynyrd has endured for most of their career. The band vowed to stay true to their humble beginnings.
We don’t have no plastic L.A. friends
We aren’t on the edge of no popular trends
Have never seen the inside of that magazine GQ
We don’t care if your a lawyer, or a Texas oil man
Or some waitress busting ass at some liquor stand
But if you got soul, we hang out with people just like you
Whitley’s cover stays true to the tone of the original, paying respect to the song’s soft rock elements with a country twist. During a performance with Country Rebel, though, he offers an acoustic rendition of the song. The cover shows the impact Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to have to this day, and the importance of Johnny Van Zant’s contributions to the band.
Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images
