CCTAU 3,879 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Lynyrd Skynyrd Keyboardist Billy Powell Dead at 56Wednesday, January 28, 2009 ORANGE PARK, Fla.  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 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. Powell was on hand again in 1991 when a revived version of the band put out a new album, "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991" and launched a tour in Baton Rouge, La., where the band was headed in 1977 when the plane crashed. Fans who kept their tickets from the canceled 1977 concert were admitted free. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Powell Link to comment https://www.aufamily.com/topic/55837-one-more-piece-of-skynard-gone/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldautiger 1 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Lynyrd Skynyrd Keyboardist Billy Powell Dead at 56Wednesday, January 28, 2009 ORANGE PARK, Fla.  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 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. Powell was on hand again in 1991 when a revived version of the band put out a new album, "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991" and launched a tour in Baton Rouge, La., where the band was headed in 1977 when the plane crashed. Fans who kept their tickets from the canceled 1977 concert were admitted free. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Powell Damn Sorry to hear that, rest in peace Billy, heaven sure does have the super group of all time Link to comment https://www.aufamily.com/topic/55837-one-more-piece-of-skynard-gone/#findComment-577409 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BZ770 2 Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I saw them Last spring in Biloxi, and they put on one heck of a show still. They opened up for Bocephus. If you have never seen the documentary of Lynard Skynard it's pretty good. There was some civil problems of the band keeping it's name if 3 original members weren't on stage at the same time. I believe when Artimus Pyle the drummer stepped out a few years ago. They kept on performing. Rip Billy Powell. You were the piano player on one of my favorite driving songs of all time. Free Bird. Link to comment https://www.aufamily.com/topic/55837-one-more-piece-of-skynard-gone/#findComment-577507 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCTAU 3,879 Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 I saw them Last spring in Biloxi, and they put on one heck of a show still. They opened up for Bocephus. If you have never seen the documentary of Lynard Skynard it's pretty good. There was some civil problems of the band keeping it's name if 3 original members weren't on stage at the same time. I believe when Artimus Pyle the drummer stepped out a few years ago. They kept on performing. Rip Billy Powell. You were the piano player on one of my favorite driving songs of all time. Free Bird. Ahh. Freebird. I play this for my 12 yr old. He loves it. I introduced him to the art of holding up the lighter and yelling "Freebird." His music teacher at school pulled out the guitar and asked for requests. My son raises his thumb and yells "Freebird". The teach smiles ans says "NICE". The other kids looked at him stupidly. He said it was one of those moments where he felt part of an exclusive club. Will there ever be another impromptu concert where at least one fan does not yell out "FREEBIRD"? Link to comment https://www.aufamily.com/topic/55837-one-more-piece-of-skynard-gone/#findComment-577635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldautiger 1 Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I saw them Last spring in Biloxi, and they put on one heck of a show still. They opened up for Bocephus. If you have never seen the documentary of Lynard Skynard it's pretty good. There was some civil problems of the band keeping it's name if 3 original members weren't on stage at the same time. I believe when Artimus Pyle the drummer stepped out a few years ago. They kept on performing. Rip Billy Powell. You were the piano player on one of my favorite driving songs of all time. Free Bird. I've seen them several times, twice with the original lineup (incl. Ed King) and once with the latest group. Man those guys (Rossington, Collins, etc) could flat out play. Check out "T for Texas" live (original group) kick butt big time WDE & Freebird Link to comment https://www.aufamily.com/topic/55837-one-more-piece-of-skynard-gone/#findComment-577978 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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