RIP: Billy Powell

[Mr Blue Devil]

My good friend's father passed away last night. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist and pianist Billy Powell has died.

Powell, 56, died Tuesday night, according to a note posted on the band's fan club web site.

He was one of two band members, along with Gary Rossington, still active who performed with the band prior to the fatal plane crash in 1977 that killed 3 of the band's members.

Lynyrd Skynyrd has 2 concerts scheduled for next week in Louisiana and Mississippi.

We'll update this story with new information as it becomes available.

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[DukieInKansas]

Condolences to his family and friends. I will listen to Free Bird in his honor today.

[Mr Blue Devil]

Some more...

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell dead at 56
BY MATT SOERGELSTORY UPDATED AT 11:10 AM ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28, 2009
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Buzz up!

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Billy Powell, a longtime keyboard player for Lynyrd Skynyrd who survived the band's 1977 plane crash, died at his Orange Park condo early this morning, according to police in Orange Park.

Police Chief James Boivin said Powell called 911 from his condo in Club Continental and was pronounced dead after rescue crews performed CPR on him. Boivin said he was told Powell had an appointment with his heart specialist Monday but never made the appointment.

Powell joined Skynyrd in 1972 after working for the band for a couple of years as a roadie.

"Billy was a good, good family man," said Gene Odom, a security guard for the band who was also in the Oct. 20, 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and five other people. "Ronnie Van Zant was fond of his keyboard playing and always bragged about him."

Guitarist Gary Rossington and Powell were the only members of the pre-crash incarnation of Skynyrd who were still playing with the band.

[alteran]

Some more...

Wow. I didn't even know his name, but dedicated about a week to learning to play the "live" version of Freebird on the piano back in high school.

Obviously, he played it a little better than I did. He was a wickedly good pianist.

Condolences to you and the family.

[2535Miles]

Vibes to you and Powell family.

[captmojo]

Many sympathies. This man gave me much entertainment.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Seems we've lost a number of terrific people who contributed much to the world this week. We all have our work cut out for us in trying take up the slack.
My sincere condolences to you and the Powell family, Mr. BD.
Love, Ima