B Rock Note: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant Reflects on Group’s First Album

Well, if you find yourself in Jacksonville, Florida and would like to see the childhood home of Ronnie, Donnie, and Johnny Van Zandt of Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special, know you are heading into an official heritage site.

In front of the home stands a historical plaque there a gives a little background on the property. Both Van Zant parents died in the home nestled on Woodcrest Road.

Johnny Van Zandt recalled that when he was only 14-years old his older brothers brought home their debut vinyl album, Lynyrd Skynyrd: Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd. The album released in 1973 that went on the become a double platinum-selling album.

There was only one problem: they had nothing to play it on. The family had to head over to the local Montgomery Ward and buy a brand new stereo... you know the kind... the giant cabinet ones with two speakers on either end and a turntable in the center.

You can catch Lynyrd Skynyrd on a farewell tour Sturgis South Dakota August 6 for the annual motorcycle rally in South Dakota.

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