<Tr> <Th> Years active </Th> <Td> 1974--2013 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Associated acts </Th> <Td> 38 Special, Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd </Td> </Tr> <P> Donald Newton "Donnie" Van Zant (born June 11, 1952, in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American rock vocalist / guitarist . He is best known for being a member of the band 38 Special, from its formation in 1974 until 2013 . He is the middle of three sons of a truck driver . Older brother Ronnie (1948--1977) was the original lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd; he died in a plane crash in Mississippi along with five other members and associates of the band . Younger brother Johnny (b. 1960) has been the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd since 1987; the two also perform together from time to time as the group Van Zant . </P> <P> According to a posting in March 2013 on the 38 Special website, "Donnie Van Zant has not been able to join the band's performances for the past six months . In accordance with his doctor's strict orders and due to health issues related to inner - ear nerve damage, he will not be able to join 38 Special onstage in the foreseeable future . Donnie will continue to write and record with the band ." However, it was announced later in 2013 that he had officially left 38 Special, and was retiring . </P>

Who was the lead singer of 38 special
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