Posted on 01/28/2009 12:22:11 PM PST by raccoonradio
A keyboardist for the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd has died at his northeast Florida home.
Keyboard player Billy Powell called 911 about 12:55 a.m. Wednesday saying he was having trouble breathing. Rescue crews performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m., said Orange Park Police Lt. Mark Cornett.
Powell, 56, who has a history of heart problems, missed a Tuesday appointment with his doctor for a cardiac evaluation. A heart attack is suspected. No autopsy will be performed because Powell's cardiologist will sign the death certificate, Cornett said.
The Jacksonville-based band was formed in 1966 by a group of More Entertainment Photos Kelly Rowland splits from Beyonce's manager dad 100 1 high school students -- famously, it took its name from a P.E. teacher they disliked, Leonard Skinner. Powell joined the group around 1972, the year before they released their first album, "Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd."
It became one of the South's most popular rock groups, and gained national fame with such hits as "Free Bird," "What's Your Name" and especially "Sweet Home Alabama," which reached the top 10 on the national charts in 1974.
The band was decimated on Oct. 20, 1977, when their chartered plane crashed in a swamp near McComb, Miss.
Six people were killed -- lead singer Ronnie Van Zant; guitarist Steve Gaines; and his sister, vocalist Cassie Gaines; as well as an assistant road manager, the pilot and co-pilot.
Powell was one of the survivors.
Two years after the accident, Powell and fellow members Allen Collins, Gary Rossington and Leon Wilkeson formed the Rossington-Collins Band. It broke up in 1982.
oops disregard:
>>More Entertainment Photos Kelly Rowland splits from Beyonce’s manager dad 100 1
great piano player—Tuesday’s Gone, Whiskey Rock-a-roller etc
I rather like his solo on "Call Me The Breeze" from One More From the Road. He was a great dude. He'll be missed.
Aw, man. :( So this means that Gary Rossington is the last original member of Skynyrd still with the rebuilt group?
}:-)4
I rate as his best piano solo work the song “I know a little”. Another good listen is the solo on “Honky-Tonk Night-time Man”. Great Honky-Tonk styling that will be missed.
LS - They Call Me the Breeze, 1987
Other thread: Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell dead at 56 [FR]
Hatchet | Blackfoot | Outlaws | Skynyrd all had roots in Florida
Yep. Great player. Added to Kid Rock’s ALL SUMMER LONG single recently. Great song.
He will be missed.
R.I.P. Billy
My all time favorite band, I am deeply saddened.
Southern Rock Rules
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