Donald Newton " Donnie " Van Zant ( born June 11 , 1952 , in Jacksonville , Florida ) is an American rock vocalist/guitarist . He is best known for being a member of the band 38 Special , from its formation in 1974 until 2013 . He is the middle of three sons of a truck driver . Older brother Ronnie was the original lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd ; who died in a plane crash in Mississippi . Younger brother Johnny has been the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd since 1987 ; the two also perform together from time to time as the group Van Zant
plane crash
1977 Mississippi CV-240 crash
Donnie Van Zant