Friday, February 27, 2026

Question: What Jacksonville-born vocalist took over for his brother in a well-known band after his brother died?

Answer: Johnny Van Zant from Lynyrd Skynyrd

Most artists find it difficult to follow the acts of the performers who came before them, but for Johnny Van Zant, it was very personal. After Lynyrd Skynyrd’s plane crashed in 1977, killing all but five of the band’s original members, including frontman Ronnie Van Zant, many fans presumed that their favorite songs would never be played live again. Eventually, the music’s strength brought the surviving band members back together, and they asked Ronnie Van Zant’s younger brother, Johnny, to step into the lead vocalist role.