Johnny Van Zant Quotes

Powerful Johnny Van Zant for Daily Growth

About Johnny Van Zant

Johnny Van Zant is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, a legendary Southern rock band he joined following the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of three original members in 1977. Born on January 10, 1961, in Jacksonville, Florida, Johnny is the younger brother of Ronnie Van Zant, the original lead vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd who died in the same plane crash. Growing up in a musical household, Johnny was influenced by his older brother's love for music and the dynamic Southern rock scene of Florida. He began playing drums at an early age before transitioning to guitar and eventually finding his niche as a vocalist. Following Ronnie's death, Johnny took on the mantle of lead vocalist in Lynyrd Skynyrd, ensuring the band's legacy lived on. In 1987, he formed a side project called Van Zant with his brother Donnie (formerly of .38 Special), releasing two albums and touring extensively. Despite this successful venture, Johnny's heart was always with Lynyrd Skynyrd, and he returned to the band in 1996 when they reunited for a commemorative tour honoring their fallen members. Johnny Van Zant has continued to be an integral part of Lynyrd Skynyrd, contributing to numerous albums and tours over the years. His deep, gravelly voice is a testament to the band's enduring spirit and pays tribute to his late brother, Ronnie. His life and career have been marked by resilience, passion, and a dedication to keeping Southern rock alive.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life's short, we're all gonna die anyway. Might as well have a good time."

This quote by Johnny Van Zant conveys a perspective that encourages living life to the fullest, embracing joy and happiness, since our time on earth is limited. Essentially, it suggests that given our mortality, we might as well make the most of our time and enjoy ourselves.

"Rock and roll is not just about the music, it's a way of life."

The quote emphasizes that rock and roll goes beyond mere musical expression; it encompasses a lifestyle or attitude. It symbolizes freedom, rebellion, and self-expression - qualities often associated with youth culture. Rock and roll is not just about listening to music, but living by its spirit, embracing individuality, passion, and the pursuit of personal dreams.

"I don't care what people say, I still believe in the American dream."

This quote suggests a deep-rooted optimism and faith in the concept of the American Dream - a belief that anyone, regardless of their social or economic background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and perseverance. Despite any criticism or skepticism one may encounter, Johnny Van Zant reaffirms his belief in this ideal, emphasizing his personal commitment to pursuing it. The quote also highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the power of optimism in the face of adversity.

"Music keeps me sane, it's my therapy."

This quote highlights the profound impact music has on Johnny Van Zant as a source of solace and emotional balance in his life. Essentially, he's saying that when he feels overwhelmed or stressed, listening to music helps him regain sanity and process his feelings, making it his personal therapy. Music for him serves a therapeutic purpose, providing an outlet for emotions and helping maintain mental wellbeing.

"Some people can't handle their freedom. They need a boss to tell them what to do." (often misattributed to Van Zant, but actually said by Robert Downey Jr.'s character in the movie "Less Than Zero")

This quote suggests that some individuals struggle with personal responsibility and self-direction, preferring instead to have a superior dictate their actions. It implies that such people may feel more comfortable within structured environments where they are told what to do, rather than navigating the complexities of independent decision-making. Essentially, it highlights a psychological dependency on authority figures.

Two of my favorite bands, Blackberry Smoke and Black Stone Cherry, I just think both of those bands are a good new progressive kind of Southern Rock that's a little different than us but still has a rootsy thing going on.

- Johnny Van Zant

Cherry, Two, Southern, Bands

We go to Europe, and they think we're totally prejudiced 'cause we hang the bars and stripes. But for us, the bars and stripes doesn't mean we want to see anybody in slavery or anything like that. It's just our heritage. To us, the bars and stripes means grits, 'y'all,' and the beauty of the South. There's no prejudice at all in that with us.

- Johnny Van Zant

Beauty, Hang, South, Bars

I'm a lover of old traditional country - George Jones, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, Marty Roberts.

- Johnny Van Zant

Country, Old, Lover, None

My dad was a truck driver, and from the time I was knee high to a grapevine, I was driving a truck.

- Johnny Van Zant

Driving, Knee, High, Truck Driver

My dad was a truck driver. We all used to ride along with him. And the way he'd keep awake was to sing while he was going down the road. So we all joined in.

- Johnny Van Zant

Going, Dad, Joined, Truck Driver

David Allan Coe actually went to jail one time. Some fan cursed Lynyrd Skynyrd, and David Allan Coe kicked his teeth in. He ran and kicked a guy's teeth in for saying something about Lynyrd Skynyrd.

- Johnny Van Zant

Some, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cursed, Kicked

I don't think you can erase history.

- Johnny Van Zant

History, Think, You, Erase

Johnny Colt is a character, and most people in Lynyrd Skynyrd are characters, so he fits in great with us. He's got an attitude, man, and I love it, and that's what we need.

- Johnny Van Zant

Love, Need, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny

Our newest member is Johnny Colt, who was bass player with The Black Crowes. Colt fits right in with us. He's loony as heck, and so are we. We have a great time and love doing what we do. I hope Johnny is with us for a long, long time. He is quite the guy.

- Johnny Van Zant

Love, Doing, Great Time, Johnny

Music is a great healer.

- Johnny Van Zant

Music, Great, Healer

Whatever people want to say, we go out there every night, and we give tribute to the songs that my brother wrote, to Ronnie and Allen Collins and Steve Gaines and Leon Wilkeson and everybody. We pay tribute every night to those people who have gone on.

- Johnny Van Zant

Everybody, Allen, Ronnie

When we are out on the road, running up and down the road playing shows, you have to be not only a member of a band but, especially with Lynyrd Skynyrd, you have to be a part of the Skynyrd nation. You have to be a part of the family.

- Johnny Van Zant

Nation, Part, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Down The Road

We have a lot of friends who are hunters. And you know what? Come hunting season, man, they head to the woods, you know. And again, this country was built on God and guns, folks. I mean, it really was.

- Johnny Van Zant

Country, Guns, Hunters, Season

If it wasn't for Al Kooper, there might not be a Lynyrd Skynyrd. He's the one who found us at Pinocchio's in Atlanta, Georgia, and signed us to Sounds Of The South through MCA, brought the band to attention.

- Johnny Van Zant

Through, Brought, South, Pinocchio

Not every song of Lynyrd Skynyrd's was a single, but songs like 'Tuesday's Gone' and 'The Ballad of Curtis Loew' and 'Made in the Shade,' 'I Need You,' people learned those songs from the radio because radio played albums, not just singles.

- Johnny Van Zant

Radio, Because, Albums, Tuesday

If you're only a fan of the old music, that music's gonna wind up sounding even older.

- Johnny Van Zant

Old, Old Music, Gonna, Wind

When we were kids, we said the Pledge of Allegiance because we were proud of this country, and we said prayer. You know, we thanked the good Lord above.

- Johnny Van Zant

Proud, Country, Lord, Pledge

I think, hey, everybody has a right to change their mind.

- Johnny Van Zant

Mind, Think, Everybody, Hey

John 5 - he's weird. He's a freak. I'm just kidding. He's a great guy.

- Johnny Van Zant

Weird, Freak, Great Guy, Just Kidding

I kinda feel that my brother wrote some of the best country lyrics ever - 'The Ballad of Curtis Loew,' 'Mississippi Kid' and that little hit 'Sweet Home Alabama.'

- Johnny Van Zant

Country, Alabama, Some, Lyrics

If people want to own a rifle or something like that for hunting purposes only, I tend to agree with that. But semi-automatic weapons and handguns, that's just unreal. I mean, what good are handguns?

- Johnny Van Zant

Want, Own, Like, Weapons

Some of the songs on the radio are really outrageous. I listen to the lyric. If the lyric doesn't make sense, I don't like the song.

- Johnny Van Zant

Song, Some, Like, Outrageous

I always try to relate a song to something what is going on, the working man, the times, how life goes.

- Johnny Van Zant

Song, Always, Going, Working Man

There's nothing like getting out there playing a great show with Skynyrd and seeing people love this music.

- Johnny Van Zant

Love, Nothing, Like, Great Show

Look at Gretchen Wilson. If she came out in the '70s she'd be the queen of Southern rock.

- Johnny Van Zant

Rock, She, Southern, Wilson

'Free Bird' is timeless, 'Sweet Home' is timeless. They're just timeless songs.

- Johnny Van Zant

Bird, Free, Songs, Timeless

I think it's just that Skynyrd songs are timeless.

- Johnny Van Zant

Think, Songs, I Think, Timeless

I like George W. At a time when this country was hit hard, he stood up for America. He's been the leader of the free world during the hardest time America's ever had.

- Johnny Van Zant

Leader, Country, Been, George W

They're great songs. How many bands wouldn't like to have a 'Freebird' or 'Sweet Home Alabama' to play every night?

- Johnny Van Zant

Play, Alabama, Like, Every Night

If people can't relate to something, there's no use of the song being there.

- Johnny Van Zant

Song, Use, Relate, Being There

I saw B.B. King in concert one time where he had this guy that would bring him out a glass of water and towel to wipe his forehead with.

- Johnny Van Zant

King, Glass, Saw, One Time

When you're dealing with a big amount of money, you should have your own accountant and your own lawyer.

- Johnny Van Zant

Big, Dealing, Amount, Lawyer

We have fans that come up all the time and say, 'This song helped me through this tough time in my life' or whatever. The music helps us through it, too.

- Johnny Van Zant

Song, My Life, Through, Helps

It is a scary world out there, and believe me that if someone were to try to come into my house, I want to be able to protect myself.

- Johnny Van Zant

Myself, Want, Come, Protect

If rock & roll is dead and gone, man, I am missing out on it.

- Johnny Van Zant

I Am, Rock, Roll, Missing

Skynyrd's not just a band; I think it's a lifestyle. It's iconic.

- Johnny Van Zant

Think, Iconic, I Think, Lifestyle

Hank Junior fans are Skynyrd fans.

- Johnny Van Zant

Fans, Hank, Junior

Most of our fans are the hardworking people of the world. They are the people who have made this country great.

- Johnny Van Zant

World, Country, Most, Hardworking

We are not saying that every idiot out there should own a gun - and there should be better background checks on guns. Not everybody should have the right.

- Johnny Van Zant

Gun, Guns, Everybody, Checks

We've done shows with Tim McGraw, Hank Williams Jr., Montgomery Gentry, Shooter Jennings.

- Johnny Van Zant

Done, Shows, Hank, Tim

You don't go to some other country and bash our president.

- Johnny Van Zant

Country, Some, Other, Bash

As Christians, it's our duty to stand up for what we believe - that's called testifying.

- Johnny Van Zant

Duty, Up, Christians, Stand Up

The last thing we want to do is disappoint the fans.

- Johnny Van Zant

Want, Last, Thing, Disappoint

We always joke that our road crew will have to wheelchair us up onstage soon because this is what we do. This is what we love to do. This is what God put us on earth to do until the day we take our last breath.

- Johnny Van Zant

Love, Wheelchair, Always, Joke

Rich people know how to party, too.

- Johnny Van Zant

Rich, How, Too, Rich People

We didn't grow up rich people.

- Johnny Van Zant

Grow, Grow Up, Rich, Rich People

It's for the common people, people who have made this great country of ours. That's what the heck I say we always write about.

- Johnny Van Zant

Country, Always, Made, Common People

We write stories about common people and common things. That's what Skynyrd always is about - the real working class of America.

- Johnny Van Zant

Always, Stories, About, Common People

I think people relate to Skynyrd; it's a working class band. They're just songs with messages. To this day, there's never been a song written that didn't have a message.

- Johnny Van Zant

Song, Think, Been, Messages

Some of the country stuff in the past has been so polished - if you were a guy with a nice pair of jeans, a big belt buckle and nice hat, you were country.

- Johnny Van Zant

Country, Some, In The Past, Polished

Don't sign your publishing away.

- Johnny Van Zant

Away, Sign, Your, Publishing

I've never met a person who doesn't like music, and we may vary in what styles we like, but everybody likes some form of music.

- Johnny Van Zant

Some, Everybody, May, Met

If nothing else, we grew up loving the old blues artists and Ray Charles.

- Johnny Van Zant

Loving, Artists, Else, Blues

Some people would do anything just to get a break; that's where the bad guys get you.

- Johnny Van Zant

Bad, Some, Break, Bad Guys

Skynyrd is a big family. We have argued, fussed, and fought.

- Johnny Van Zant

Big, Argued, Fought, Big Family

A lot of groups get dirty deals. They work hard and have to get a job after their career is over.

- Johnny Van Zant

Career, Dirty, Over, Deals

We have doctors and lawyers and CEOs as fans.

- Johnny Van Zant

Lawyers, Fans, CEOs, Doctors

When you're 17, touring is fun.

- Johnny Van Zant

Fun, You, Touring

Families do not stop living. We have got to keep going on. This is what people do.

- Johnny Van Zant

Living, Stop, Going, Families

People are asking us, 'Why have you gone country?' And we say, 'Man, we were born country.' They gave us the tag 'Southern rock' years ago as a way of not saying country.

- Johnny Van Zant

Country, Asking, Southern, Years Ago

Everybody in Lynyrd Skynyrd loves different styles of music, and our minds are very open when it comes to writing our songs and making the band true to what the band is, but also stepping out and doing something current.

- Johnny Van Zant

Doing, Everybody, Very, Band

I was a Skynyrd fan all along. But I was also the brother of the lead singer who passed on. I just didn't want to do anything that would harm the band's name.

- Johnny Van Zant

Want, Singer, Harm, Band

We're musicians; we're not politicians or anything.

- Johnny Van Zant

Musicians, Anything, Politicians

That's your end goal anyway, is to make the fans happy.

- Johnny Van Zant

Happy, End, Goal, Anyway

Every redneck's dream is to write a song and have it go on a fishing show.

- Johnny Van Zant

Song, Dream, Redneck, Fishing

We have to make a living, sure, but it's about the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and what it stands for, what the fans are all about.

- Johnny Van Zant

Legacy, Living, Sure, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd has always been a bunch of rowdy, crazy people, but we love our fans, and that's what the music is all about: touching them. Touching them touches us.

- Johnny Van Zant

Love, Always, Been, Lynyrd Skynyrd

I think country music is Lynyrd Skynyrd. I think a lot of the country music is what we do, but I don't think rock & roll is dead at all.

- Johnny Van Zant

Think, Country, I Think, Lynyrd Skynyrd

We always pay tribute to what the old Lynyrd Skynyrd has done - I'm very proud of that.

- Johnny Van Zant

Proud, Always, Very, Lynyrd Skynyrd

I'm a Republican myself, though I think there are actually some Democrats in Lynyrd Skynyrd.

- Johnny Van Zant

Think, Some, I Think, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd has always been about writing songs and talking to people through them. That's what we do, and that's what we'll keep doing for as long as we can.

- Johnny Van Zant

Through, Always, Been, Lynyrd Skynyrd

On our Web site, we have people complaining about us not playing new stuff. But there's so many classic Lynyrd Skynyrd songs, you can't go out and just do a bunch of new things.

- Johnny Van Zant

New Things, About, Our, Lynyrd Skynyrd

We've got to take some drastic steps in this country. We can't keep spending and spending.

- Johnny Van Zant

Country, Some, Take, Steps

In my opinion, the only people who should have handguns are the police.

- Johnny Van Zant

Police, Only, In My Opinion, Opinion

I didn't know if Skynyrd fans were going to throw rocks at me or eggs or what.

- Johnny Van Zant

Eggs, Going, Throw, Rocks

To me, making a CD is like writing a book.

- Johnny Van Zant

Writing, Making, Like, CD

Rock & roll has kept us alive for all these years. But we just love country music. It's in our blood.

- Johnny Van Zant

Love, Country, Alive, Country Music

We have a song called 'Skynyrd Nation.' It's just about what our fans are, what they do in getting ready for the show.

- Johnny Van Zant

Song, Nation, About, Ready

I was a Skynyrd fan before I was approached to be a part of Skynyrd, and they always ended it with 'Free Bird,' so I've been watching it since I was a kid.

- Johnny Van Zant

Always, Been, Before, Ended

Who knows what the heck the future will bring.

- Johnny Van Zant

Future, Will, Bring, Heck

The fans have always been there for us, and they've realized when we were going through a hard time.

- Johnny Van Zant

Through, Always, Been, Hard Time

I'd rather sit in Jacksonville and do a different kind of work than get messed over.

- Johnny Van Zant

Over, Rather, Messed, Different Kind

Skynyrd just hasn't gotten its just due.

- Johnny Van Zant

Just, Gotten, Due

I actually quit the business. I went and drove a truck for a year and a half.

- Johnny Van Zant

Business, Actually, Half, Drove

I just love going out and playing my brother's songs.

- Johnny Van Zant

Love, Going, Playing, Songs

My father was a Democrat.

- Johnny Van Zant

Father, Democrat

Look at Montgomery Gentry. If those boys came out in the '70s, they'd be Southern rock.

- Johnny Van Zant

Rock, Montgomery, Came, Southern

My favorite singers in the world have been black singers, and you can go to any church and hear the best singers in the world - and I'm a singer, and I love singing!

- Johnny Van Zant

Love, Singer, Been, Singers

It's all these young country bucks doing Skynyrd songs, which is pretty cool to us.

- Johnny Van Zant

Doing, Country, Which, Bucks

I want to be there for the last note of 'Freebird' when that happens.

- Johnny Van Zant

Want, Happens, Last, Note

When you set a goal for yourself, you do what you need to.

- Johnny Van Zant

Yourself, Need, Set, Goal

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.