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Billy Powell of Lynyrd Skynyrd is gone


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http://www.news4jax.com/news/18584568/detail.html

Original Lynyrd Skynyrd Member Dies

POSTED: Wednesday, January 28, 2009

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Billy Powell, the original keyboard player with the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died early Wednesday at his Orange Park home, according to a publicist for the band.

Powell was 56.

Ross Schilling of Vector Management told Channel 4 that Powell called 911 after midnight complaining of difficulty breathing. Paramedics believe he suffered a heart attack, but an autopsy will be conducted to determine his cause of death.

Orange Park police told Channel 4 Powell had an appointment with his cardiologist on Tuesday, but he did not go.

Powell moved to Jacksonville as a child and attended Bishop Kenny High School, where he met Leon Wilkenson, future bass player for Skynyrd. He originally joined the band in the early '70s as a roadie. Before a gig playing at the The Bolles School prom, he sat down at the piano and impressed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant enough to be invited to join the band as its keyboard player.

Skynyrd went on to sign a national recording contract and become the best-selling southern rock band in history.

In 1977, Van Zant, along guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister and backup vocalist Cassie Gaines and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick were killed when the band's chartered plane crashed in Mississippi.

Powell suffered facial injuries in the crash, but eventually recovered. He was the only band member well enough to attend the funerals of those killed in the crash.

In 1987, Powell rejoined Skynyrd for a tribute tour and has toured with the band ever since. He and guitarist Gary Rossington were the only two original band members who continued to record and tour with the band.

Channel 4 is learning more about Powell's death and gathering reaction to it. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, with complete reports on

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In 1987, Powell rejoined Skynyrd for a tribute tour and has toured with the band ever since. He and guitarist Gary Rossington were the only two original band members who continued to record and tour with the band.

I saw the tribute tour, and have fairly recent performance on tape that Billy was in - his presence was a big reason why the band could still put on a great show.

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I saw the tribute tour, and have fairly recent performance on tape that Billy was in - his presence was a big reason why the band could still put on a great show.

Yes, his playing was a huge part of their sound. I'm really bummed by this news.. I'm glad I got to see, at least, the later version of Lynyrd Skynyrd, with both Leon and Billy still in the band. Now both of 'em are gone.

Another article on Billy's passing:

www.jacksonville.com

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.

Orange Park Police Chief James Boivin said Powell called 911 from his condo in Club Continental and was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m. 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.

Current Lynyrnd Skynyrd singer Johnny Van Zant spent 22 years with Powell in the band. He said the took the news of Powell's death hard.

"You know, they say they've got one hell of a band up in heaven. My brother Ronnie up in heaven is probably saying, 'Billy, what took you so long?' I'm sure they're catching up on things in heaven."

Powell, who went to Bishop Kenny High School, joined Skynyrd in 1972 after working for the Jacksonville band for a couple of years as a roadie. He was seriously injured in the Oct. 20, 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and five other people.

Johnny Van Zant said his brother invited Powell to join the band after he heard him playing piano during a rehearsal of "Free Bird." "Ronnie said, 'What's that?' and Billy said, 'That's the introduction to 'Free Bird.' Ronnie said, 'I like that. You're in the band.'"

The piano introduction to the song became a highly anticipated part of the band's live show, though Johnny Van Zant said Powell was sometimes relucant to jump into the spotlight with it.

"He'd say, 'I don't want to do that, I'm embarrassed to do that,'" said Van Zant. "I'd make him do it: I'd say, 'Come on, it'll make their night.' It made mine."

Earlier this month, Powell and the band took a four-day cruise, called the Simple Man Cruise, on a ship out of Miami with "4,000 crazy Skynyrd fans," said Van Zant.

The band had recorded several songs for a new album and had upcoming gigs in Lousiana, Mississippi and Orlando. They will be canceled, said Van Zant.

"We've got to lay our brother to rest," said Van Zant. "That old saying, the show must go on, always counts. Unless you die."

Guitarist Gary Rossington and Powell were the only members of the pre-crash incarnation of Skynyrd who were still playing with the band. As for the future of the band,Van Zant said, "That's really the last thought in my head. I've given 22 years to the band and hope to do it for another 22."

Van Zant he spoke with Rossington, who lives in the Atlanta area, this morning. "He's hurting," he said. "You know, he was very sad and wondering why all us brothers are leaving him, why he's still here."

Powell was married to Ellen Vera Powell and had four children.

"For me," said Van Zant, "if anybody reading your article wants to do something, say a prayer for Billy and his family. That would be greatly appreciated."

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As a longtime fan I'm absolutely devastated. In addition to Gary there's also Ed King, Bob Burns (an original member), Larry Junstrom (now with .38 Special), Artimus Pyle and Rickey Medlocke. Even though Medlocke has never officially been considered an "original" member since his tenure with the band was temporary, he was on their actual first record, Skynyrd's First. Skynyrd has always carried on in the face of adversity but I do wonder if they will decide to after losing Billy. I know they've beem working on a new record with John 5 of Rob Zombie/Marilyn Manson fame.

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I just heard about this 15 minutes ago. I am so shocked and sad. Billy was such a good piano player and really made Skynyrd what they are. I'm so glad I at least got to see him live, in 2006. He was such an incredible musician. RIP Billy, you will be missed. :(

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Lots of good info on that site. It gives a timeline of events in the bands history. They certainly have had more tragedies than any band I can think of. Of course Zeppelin, the Stones The Who and Beatles have had theirs as well. I was trying to find how old he was?

I believe he was 56 years young

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Lynrd Skynrd are not just about the 70s. Their musical tradition comes from the American South, which is going to rise again.

Skynyrd are one of small handful of bands from the south that I have a taste for.I saw them pre-crash in the 70's but had never gone to see the current lineup.

I personally want the" south" to remain below the radar as much as possible.

My condolences to family and friends of Billy Powell.

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I saw this earlier today on my VHI email. Very sad news about the loss of Billy Powell. I still have the Circus Magazine article that was printed when that horrible plane crash took the precious lives of Ronnie, Steve and Cassie. I was a new, but very loving fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd back in 77'. I did have the good fortune of seeing Rossington/Collins band in the early 80's.

................................................................................

.............................

Who's Lynyrd Skynyrd?

Associated Press article & picture, just after plane crash in October 1977

"We like to call ours "Southern Raunchy Roll" Ronnie Van Zant once said of his musical group Lynyrd

Skynyrd. "The other bands are just as bad, but we go to jail more". Van Zant and his fightin' Southern

band prided themselves on that battling image and a hard driving blaring sound which they rode to

sold out concert tours and million selling albums.

................................................................................

...............................

Another great loss to the wonderful world of classic rock music, RIP Billy.

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There will never be another Billy Powell no matter what Skynyrd does in the future just as there is not another Leon they are individuals/originals they cannot be duplicated or replaced.Someone else can play thier part but it will never be the same.I miss Billy but now He is back with Ronnie , Allen ,Steve ,Cassie and Leon . Heck Duane and Berry may sit in on a few songs.They need good Music in Heaven and by God I believe they have it now.

lastscan-1.jpg

The last time I saw Billy . I will miss You .

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There will never be another Billy Powell no matter what Skynyrd does in the future just as there is not another Leon they are individuals/originals they cannot be duplicated or replaced.Someone else can play thier part but it will never be the same.I miss Billy but now He is back with Ronnie , Allen ,Steve ,Cassie and Leon . Heck Duane and Berry may sit in on a few songs.They need good Music in Heaven and by God I believe they have it now.

lastscan-1.jpg

The last time I saw Billy . I will miss You .

We've all yet to see the "ultimate" concert.

"Heaven will definately have one helluva' Band!"

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Al, that is a great picture.

Ed King has told a lot of stories about Billy and his humour over at Ed's board. He sure seem to have been a very nice and funny guy and must've been a joy to have as a tour mate.

This is Ed's post on Billy's passing..

http://forum.edking.net/index.php

I'm bummed out...funny how I am more bummed out about BP than I was about Leon, even though I really loved Leon like a brother. BP I was less familiar with. The last time I saw him was when he was in rehab about 7 miles from my house in 2006 - went up there twice to see him. Yes, one great piano player...you hear a BP solo, you know it's HIM.

So today I'll be bummed...but I've already done 3 Billy impersonations, so I'm sure there will be more by dinner time. He was one funny guy!

jimmy1rf6.jpg

artwork by Billy Powell.

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