Steven Van Zandt and Ronnie Van Zant are two of the most influential and iconic figures in rock history. They both have left their mark on the music scene with their distinctive styles, voices, and songs. But are they related by blood or by name? Many fans have wondered if there is a family connection between the two rock legends, especially since they share the same surname. In this article, we will explore the truth about the relationship between Steven Van Zandt and Ronnie Van Zant, and how they influenced each other’s careers.
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Who is Steven Van Zandt?
Steven Van Zandt, also known as Little Steven or Miami Steve, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and activist. He is best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, in which he plays guitar and mandolin. He is also known for his roles in several television drama series, including as Silvio Dante in The Sopranos and as Frank Tagliano in Lilyhammer. Van Zandt has his own solo band called Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul, intermittently active since the 1980s. In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band
Van Zandt was born Steven Lento on November 22, 1950, in Winthrop, Massachusetts. He has Italian ancestry; one grandfather was from Calabria and one grandmother’s parents were from Naples. His mother remarried in 1957 and he took the last name of his stepfather, William Brewster Van Zandt. The family moved to Middletown Township, New Jersey, when he was seven
Van Zandt found his love for music at an early age, when he learned how to play the guitar. He watched the performances of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones on TV in 1964, and referred to the former as “The Big Bang of Rock n’ Roll”. He said that when he was 13, George Harrison was his favorite Beatle, and he later became friends with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
Around August 1964, he formed his first band, the Whirlwinds, which was short-lived. He later formed the Mates in 1965 and joined the Shadows in May 1966. Van Zandt has cited British Invasion bands such as the Dave Clark Five, as well as Ravi Shankar and the culture of India, as early influences
Van Zandt attended Middletown High School, where he got kicked out for having long hair. He went back to school to appease his mother and graduated in 1968. As a teenager, he was involved in a car accident that caused him to smash his head through the windshield, leaving several scars on his head. To cover this up, he began wearing hats, and later, large bandanas, which has become his characteristic look
Who is Ronnie Van Zant?
Ronnie Van Zant was an American singer, best known as the original lead vocalist, primary lyricist and a founding member of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was the older brother of Johnny Van Zant, the current Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist, and Donnie Van Zant, the founder and vocalist of the rock band .38 Special.
Van Zant was born Ronald Wayne Van Zant on January 15, 1948, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born and raised in Jacksonville to Lacy Austin (1915–2004) and Marion Virginia (née Hicks) Van Zant (1929–2000). Ronnie aspired to be many things before finding his love for music. A fan of boxer Muhammad Ali, he considered a career in boxing, and while playing American Legion baseball also considered a career in professional baseball
Van Zant formed a band called My Backyard late in the summer of 1964 with friends and schoolmates Allen Collins (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums). The quintet went through several names before deciding on Lynyrd Skynyrd, as a mock tribute to their high school gym teacher Leonard Skinner at Robert E. Lee High School, which all band members had attended except Collins. Skinner’s strict enforcement against long hair inspired the members to name their band after him.
The band’s rise to prominence began in 1973 with the release of their debut album, (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), which had a string of hits that included “I Ain’t the One”, “Tuesday’s Gone”, “Gimme Three Steps”, “Simple Man”, and what became their signature song, “Free Bird”, later dedicated to the late Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. The band also gained exposure when they were selected as the opening act for the US portion of The Who’s Quadrophenia tour.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s biggest hit single was “Sweet Home Alabama” from their follow-up album Second Helping (1974), an answer to Neil Young’s songs “Alabama” and “Southern Man”. Young’s song “Powderfinger” on the 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps was reportedly written for Skynyrd, and Van Zant is pictured on the cover of Street Survivors wearing a T-shirt of Young’s Tonight’s the Night and in the 2 July 1977 Oakland Coliseum concert (excerpted in Freebird… The Movie). According to legend, Van Zant was buried in his Tonight’s the Night shirt.
Are Steven Van Zandt and Ronnie Van Zant Related?
Despite sharing the same surname, Steven Van Zandt and Ronnie Van Zant are not related by blood or by name. They have different origins, backgrounds, and families. However, they did have a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s music and careers.
Steven Van Zandt was a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd and often praised their songs and performances. He once said that “Free Bird” was one of his favorite songs of all time. He also said that Ronnie Van Zant was one of the greatest singers and songwriters ever.
Ronnie Van Zant was also a fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and especially of Steven Van Zandt. He once said that he wanted to meet Van Zandt and tell him how much he liked his guitar playing. He also said that he wanted to write a song with him.
Unfortunately, the two never got the chance to meet or collaborate, as Ronnie Van Zant died in a tragic plane crash on October 20, 1977, along with other members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Steven Van Zandt was devastated by the news and paid tribute to his idol by wearing a Lynyrd Skynyrd T-shirt during a concert with Springsteen in 1978. He also wrote a song called “I Am a Patriot” in honor of Ronnie Van Zant and his love for America.
Conclusion
Steven Van Zandt and Ronnie Van Zant are two rock legends who share more than just a surname. They share a passion for music, a talent for writing songs, and a respect for each other’s work. They are not related by blood or by name, but they are related by spirit and by influence. They are both part of the history and legacy of rock n’ roll.
