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Lacy Van Zant, 89, called the father of Southern Rock
News Observer ^ | 8/6/2004

Posted on 08/29/2004 3:30:40 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - Lacy Van Zant, father of members of the Southern rock bands Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special, has died. He was 89.

Van Zant died peacefully Tuesday at his Jacksonville home of pulmonary illness, according to a release posted on Lynyrd Skynyrd's web site.

He is the father of Ronnie Van Zant, the founder of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Johnny Van Zant, the band's current lead singer. Ronnie Van Zant died in a 1977 plane crash near McComb, Miss., that also killed two other band members.

Another son, Donnie Van Zant, was amember of .38 Special.

Lacy Van Zant, who was known for his long beard, white hair and ever-present overalls, bought music equipment, drove the bands to shows, loaned them money and repaired their vehicles. Early versions of Lynyrd Skynrd would practice at his home, which he later opened to fans so they could see the bands' gold and platinum records.

"He was the father of Southern rock'n'roll, as far as I am concerned," Johnny Van Zant told The Florida Times-Union on Wedenesday.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Alabama; US: Arkansas; US: Florida; US: Georgia; US: Kentucky; US: Louisiana; US: Mississippi; US: North Carolina; US: South Carolina; US: Tennessee; US: Texas; US: West Virginia
KEYWORDS: lynyrdskynyrd; music; obituary; skynyrd; southernrock
I didn't see this posted anywhere, it is from Aug. 6th.

Definitely an interesting character from what I saw on TV.

No word on the fate of Leonard Skinner.

1 posted on 08/29/2004 3:30:41 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
Lacy Van Zant, father of members of the ...

Lacy is a man's name?

A simple man...

2 posted on 08/29/2004 3:34:31 PM PDT by tallhappy (Juntos Podemos!)
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak

BTW, Skynyrd is one of my top bands, but Gary Rossington and Billy Powell have to give it up.


3 posted on 08/29/2004 3:34:55 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak (Let them eat amnesty)
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
No word on the fate of Leonard Skinner.

I was wondering about him.

Jeffrey Toll and Mr Pincus Floyd as well.

4 posted on 08/29/2004 3:35:42 PM PDT by tallhappy (Juntos Podemos!)
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
This is the only pic I can find of him.

Aria  with  Grandpa  Lacy  Van Zant

5 posted on 08/29/2004 3:41:43 PM PDT by ThreePuttinDude (Cevapcici and Slivovitz......for everyone)
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak

May God keep you safe and warm Lacy. There's one helluva a band waiting for you...

 

6 posted on 08/29/2004 3:42:47 PM PDT by Fintan (Pardon the grammatical errors but I ain't been myself lately.)
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak

Little Bio page:http://www.thevanzants.com/nonflash/lacybio.htm


7 posted on 08/29/2004 3:46:12 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak (Let them eat amnesty)
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak

FREEBIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


8 posted on 08/29/2004 6:09:18 PM PDT by LIBERATENJ
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak

Some people may think country ain't cool but Lacy was as country as they come and look what he did for his boys who wanted to rock. He was very cool. :)
Fly on, Lacy

LMc


9 posted on 08/29/2004 6:16:16 PM PDT by Ozarkie
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To: Fintan

Thanks for posting that pic of the band. It's now my wallpaper.


10 posted on 08/29/2004 6:17:44 PM PDT by Ozarkie
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak; All
Artimus Pyle and the Saturday Night Special Band.

Skynyrd Tribute Band....listen to the MP3's http://www.musicv2.com/artist/saturdaynightspecial?video=1

11 posted on 08/29/2004 6:50:56 PM PDT by Rebelbase (John Kerry, sign form 180 .)
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To: Rebelbase

I wonder what Bob Burns is up to these days.


12 posted on 08/30/2004 5:26:30 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak (Let them eat amnesty)
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
Found this on a message board:

Post by VEB on Sep 30th, 2003, 7:37pm "Hi, We are new to the club, but had to join. We love Lynyrd Skynyrd and always have...We go to every concert we can get to. The funny thing is that last weekend we met up with Bob Burns...My husband works on diesel trucks, and he was riding with some folks whos truck broke down. He said that he was headed to Las Vegas in hopes of meeting up with Jimmy...and that he had wrecked his bike after Sturgis. He had no money and was in pretty bad shape. We took him home and he stayed with us for a few days until he came with us to Las Vegas. He was a great person, but seemed to be so "lost" in the world...and lonely. We did not see him again as he boarded a bus from Vegas to Jimmy's house. We are so very worried about him. We know that this really was Bob, as we looked up photos, he had ID, and he played guitar, harmonica, and sang for us. He also has a huge freebird tattoo on his forearm. Does anyone know any more of the story on Bob? He really stole our hearts, and we really loved him. I am hoping that he is safe, and got where he was going. Why would he be out hitchhiking and penniless. I have photos, if anyone doubts that it was really him. We are just searching for more info, as we felt that he REALLY needs some love and prayer. On another note...I could listen to the Vicious Cycles CD over and over and over and over.... "

13 posted on 08/30/2004 6:05:25 PM PDT by Rebelbase (John Kerry, sign form 180 .)
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To: Rebelbase
I don't know, I don't know...could still be an imposter or a false story.

The royalties from Freebird being played on the radio alone would be enough to sustain a person, I would imagine.

Now I am going to have to do some research when I get the time.

14 posted on 08/31/2004 3:06:38 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak (Let them eat amnesty)
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
""He was the father of Southern rock'n'roll, as far as I am concerned," Johnny Van Zant told The Florida Times-Union on Wedenesday."

So I guess Willis Turner Allman had nothing to do with it.
15 posted on 08/31/2004 3:14:45 PM PDT by TruBluKentuckian
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To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
No word on the fate of Leonard Skinner.

(singing) "He got tomaine poisoning last night after dinner!"

Ah, Alan Sherman...

16 posted on 09/01/2004 7:49:15 AM PDT by Old Sarge (ZOT 'em all, let MOD sort 'em out!)
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To: Rebelbase

http://www.hometown.aol.com/southrnrok/page3.html


17 posted on 09/01/2004 5:50:47 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak (Let them eat amnesty)
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