Johnny Takes A Fond Look Back On Early Skynyrd Memories โ€“ Years Before He Took The Lead

linearock YouTube Channel

To some, Southern rock may seem like a strictly โ€œAmericanโ€ genre of music. But as is the case with many genres, it turns out there are Southern rock fans on all corners of the globe. 

Since the world loves some good Southern rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd has always made it a point to travel overseas to perform for their fans all over the globe. While they were in Italy in 2012, lead singer Johnny Van Zant sat down for a casual interview with Linearockโ€™s Barbra Caserta to talk about Skynyrdโ€™s past, present, and future.

As Skynyrdโ€™s fearless leader since 1987, Johnny has been a huge part of Skynyrdโ€™s story. Long before he ever joined the band, Johnny had the chance to witness history in the making, because his older brother, Ronnie was the groupโ€™s lead vocalist in its early days before he was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1977.

Because Johnny was 11 years younger than Ronnie, he always looked up to his older brother and enjoyed watching him perform. During his interview, Johnny reflected on Ronnie and Skynyrdโ€™s early days with fondness, and was happy to share his favorite memory from those times:

โ€œThem practicing in the living room in our house and just hanging around the guys. Skynyrdโ€™s a big family, we are a familyโ€ฆbut I never dreamt Iโ€™d be a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd.โ€

As for what heโ€™d change about Skynyrdโ€™s past if he could, Johnny said that of course he would rewrite their story so that the plane crash that took Ronnieโ€™s life never happened. He also wishes he could bring back the band members that have passed away since then, such as bass player Leon Wilkeson and guitarist Allen Collins.

But where the music is concerned, Johnny said he doesnโ€™t have any regrets.

โ€œAs far as the music and creating the music and all that, I think it should be the way it is today,โ€ he said. โ€œWe are a survivor story, and the music gets us through it.โ€œ

You can watch Johnnyโ€™s full interview below, in which he also talks about more of Skynyrdโ€™s history and some of the current band members. Itโ€™s definitely worth watching to the end, since Johnny is the perfect person to provide insight into Skynyrdโ€™s story. 

Lynyrd Skynyrd is hitting the road this summer and coming to a city near you โ€“ donโ€™t miss your chance to see them LIVE! Tickets always sell out fast for such a legendary band, get yours now by clicking here!

Save this article!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new articles & videos from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

About the Author

Miranda Raye

Hello, I'm Miranda, a lifelong country music fan! There are old home videos of me in my baby swing, swinging along to Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Sheltonโ€™s โ€œRockinโ€™ Years.โ€ Being able to unite my passions for storytelling, researching, and music into my work has been a dream come true.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.