Jimmie Van Zant (born December 22, 1957, in Jacksonville) was an American Southern rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He adopted the surname Kelsay at age 12 after his mother married Alfred Kelsay. He later adopted the surname Van Zant for his professional musical career. Mentored by his cousin, Ronnie Van Zant, he began playing guitar and piano as a child. Following the 1977 plane crash that killed Ronnie, Van Zant pursued a career in Southern rock, building a reputation through performances at festivals and motorcycle events. His discography includes The Jimmie Van Zant Band (1996), Southern Comfort (2000), and Feels Like Freedom (2012). He became known as a prolific live performer, often appearing in over 200 shows a year, frequently alongside his wife, Zohra. Van Zant died in a Florida hospice on April 7, 2016, after several years of treatment for liver cancer.
