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Lynyrd Skynyrd Keyboardist Billy Powell Dies at 56
- Posted on Jan 28th 2009 1:00PM by Benjy Eisen
The famous plane crash that took three of his bandmates in 1977 wasn't enough to kill Billy Powell but, sadly, the Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist passed away in his home in the suburbs of Jacksonville, FL, early Wednesday morning. He was 56 years old.According to local newspaper the Florida-Times Union, Powell called 911 himself, but following CPR from rescue workers, was pronounced dead at 1:52 AM.
Powell took music lessons while attending military boarding school in Florida, and majored in music theory in college, but his true rock 'n' roll education began when he became a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd. In 1972, he graduated when he accepted the position of the band's keyboardist. Quite simply, they heard him play and hired him on the spot.Four years later, Powell survived the plane crash that killed three of his bandmates and their manager. At the time, it was the end of the line for Lynyrd Skynyrd, but Powell persevered, continuing to play music in various other bands including the Rossington-Collins Band (featuring fellow Skynyrd alum), his own band Alias and Christian rockers Vision.
When surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited in 1987, with fallen frontman Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother Johnny filling in, Powell was on board. He was an integral part of the reunited band and remained solid as such, straight on until now.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's upcoming scheduled southern gigs will be cancelled for now. Van Zant told the Florida Times-Union, "That old saying, the show must go on, always counts. Unless you die."
Perhaps bringing things full circle, Powell's defining moment was and is his keyboard solo in 'Freebird' -- an encore song with the lyrics, "If I leave here tomorrow/Would you still remember me?" For his friends and all his fans, the answer of course, is yes.
Dearly Departed Musicians
Billy Powell, Jan. 27: The longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist, who survived the beloved band's deadly plane crash in 1977, died at his home in Florida of undisclosed causes. He was 56.
Michael Bush, WireImage
Charlie Cooper, Jan. 22: The Telefon Tel Aviv star, left, was 31. The cause of death is currently unknown.
Bpitch Control
David 'Fathead' Newman, Jan. 20: The tenor sax player not only played with Ray Charles and other legends, but also had a successful solo career. He died of pancreatic cancer at 75.
Getty Images
Pedro Aguilar, Jan. 13: The mambo dancing legend known to most as 'Cuban Pete' was one of the genre's leading men in the 1950s. He died at the age of 81.
AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Raul Rubiera
Ron Asheton, Jan. 6: Along with Iggy Pop, left, the guitarist helped define the Detroit garage rock sound with the beloved Stooges. Although it hasn't been made official, it's believed that Asheton suffered a heart attack at his Ann Arbor, Mich. home. He was 60.
Harold Cunningham, WireImage
Freddie Hubbard, Dec. 29: The 'hard bop' jazz trumpet legend who worked with greats like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Art Blakey during his prime died more than a month after suffering a heart attack on Nov. 20. He was 70 years old.
Tom Copi, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Delaney Bramlett, Dec. 27: The accomplished singer, songwriter and producer to such stars as George Harrison and Eric Clapton died at the age of 69 after complications from gallbladder surgery. He's seen here (right) in 1970 with Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia (left).
AP
Eartha Kitt, Dec. 25: The sultry 'Santa Baby' songstress who went on to have a long career in music, movies and on stage died on Christmas day after a long battle with colon cancer.
Jamie McCarthy, WireImage.com
Davy Graham, Dec. 15: The folk singer known and respected across the music world for his nimble fingers and innovative use of tuning, died from a seizure in his London home. He was 68, and also had a long battle lung cancer.
Chris Mills, Redferns / Retna
Odetta, Dec. 2: The singer who became intertwined with the civil rights movement and sang during the 1963 march on Washington died of what her manager says was a heart attack. She was 77.
AP
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Add a Comment
C John Woolford
Hello Everyone,
So, so sorry to hear the news.
I have loved Skynyrd for 33 years ( when I first found out about them ) unfortunately, work always prevented me from seeing them, until the 8th March 2010 in Manchester, England, courtesy of my Christmas present from my younger daughter.
To the band........please come and entertain us and, allow us all to pay a tribute to your friend, Billy Powell.
Kindest regards to all.
C John Woolford
England
Larry Starstruck
Wow, very talented man for sure and great piano player. Have fun jamming with Leon, Ronnie, Steve and Allen. We will miss you here.
October 06 2009 at 12:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Bergeron\'s
another great in rock "n" roll heaven. well he is with ronnie. looks like the old band is slowly getting back together in heaven. we will miss you
February 05 2009 at 9:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Hello Gary
I watched the kentucky concert on tv an cried. He was very, very good. We will miss him, as I really missed Carl and Denny Wilson of the Beach Boys. Gary
January 31 2009 at 9:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
genarmistead
Billy you will be missed, but you will be welcomed home by Ronnie, Allen and leon.
January 30 2009 at 6:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
tony
you'll alway's be the great's live on freebird.
January 30 2009 at 5:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Tiff
Billy was a simple kinda man one that everyone loved and understood. He found his love in the music that he played. Now may be reunited with his friends with that someone up above.
January 29 2009 at 10:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Michael
Rock on BP, your music will live on, prayers to the family.
BP and Artimus started a little later, Gary Rossington is the only original, Ricky Medlocke played on some of the early stuff also.
Mr. Greenjeans
What a loss, what a group of talented people & Artimus Pyle is still kickin but he's just an outsider to some. Fly high freebirds
January 29 2009 at 12:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
allencollinsa
billy powell will be missed and this is a blow the band will not get over, you will be missed billy mad god be with you.
January 29 2009 at 9:34 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
262 Comments