Johnny Van Zant still performs with sunglasses.
John Roy `` Johnny '' Van Zant ( born February 27 , 1959 ) is an American musician and the current lead vocalist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd . Original members of The Johnny Van Zant Band consisted of Van Zant on lead vocals , Robbie Gay on guitar , Danny Clausman , on bass , Erik Lundgren on lead guitar , Robbie Morris , drums and Joan Hecht ( previously Joan Cusumano ) and Nancy Henderson on background vocals . He became lead vocalist for the reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987 , and continues to record and perform with them today . He also records and performs with his brother , Donnie , as Van Zant since 1998 . Van Zant is an American musical duo composed of brothers Donnie Van Zant and Johnny Van Zant .