Donnie Van Zant
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.
Also recorded as Donald Newton Van Zant
Donnie Van Zant
Jon Callas · Flickr: 38 Special at Simpleman 2011 · CC BY 2.0
- Name
- Donnie Van Zant
- Birth Name
- Donald Newton Van Zant
- Born
- 11 June 1952
- Birthplace
- Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
- Occupation
- * Singer
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- rock music · country music
- Education
- Riverside High School
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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.
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wikidata · Q1241987 · wikipedia · Donnie Van Zant
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Biography
Biography
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".
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Donnie Van Zant • Birth Name — Donald Newton Van Zant • Born — 11 June 1952 • Birthplace — Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. • Instruments — * Vocals • guitar • Genre — * Southern rock • country • Occupation — * Singer • songwriter • musician • Years Active — 1968–present • Past Member Of — * 38 Special • Van Zant
Personal life
Personal life
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.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
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