Johnny Van Zant Turns 52 [VIDEO]

The southern rocker was born on February 27, 1960 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Johnny carried on his brother Ronnie's legacy as lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987, 10 years after Ronnie was killed in a plane crash, and he continues to record and perform with the band.

Johnny's had some physical challenges over the years, most recently last August when he was hospitalized with an infection.  He's had to cancel some shows as a result.

Johnny's touching song of brotherly love, "Brickyard Road" (below) was written as a tribute to Ronnie.