Johnny Van Zant became the lead vocalist for Lynyrd Skynyrd in concerts.
John Roy `` Johnny '' Van Zant ( born February 27 , 1959 ) is an American musician and the current lead vocalist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd . He became lead vocalist for the reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987 , and continues to record and perform with them today . Lynyrd Skynyrd . The surviving band members reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant , the younger brother of lead singer and founder Ronnie Van Zant . Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to tour and record with co-founder Gary Rossington , Johnny Van Zant , and guitarist Rickey Medlocke -- who first wrote and recorded with the band from 1971 to 1972 ( before his return to Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1996 ) . Van Zant . Johnny became the lead vocalist for the reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987 , and Donnie was also the leader and vocalist of .38 Special .