MR

From CNN.com

Original Lynyrd Skynyrd Member Dies
Billy Powell May Have Suffered Heart Attack

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

Powell was 56.

Orange Park police said Powell called 911 just before 1 a.m. complaining of difficulty breathing. Paramedics found him in his bedroom responsive.

Ross Schilling, a publicist with Vector Management, said they believe Powell 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.

Powell is survived by his son, Richard, who was at the family home early Wednesday morning.

56, Jesus. I can't believe he was that young being an original member. Tragic. He was a hell of a pianist too.

He played keys for Kid Rock on the Skynard/Zevon mash-up "All Summer Long". Life was going good, he blows off his doctor appointment and BAM!

Lynyrd Skynyrd at Winterland in the 70's....times of my life.

This sucks. He always looked like he was happy to be alive (rightfully so) and playing in the band. Each time we saw them, I'd comment on how much fun it appeared he was having.

He will be missed.

That's so tragic. Too young.

You rocked Billy.

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be travelling on, now,
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.
But, if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can't change.

Bye, bye, its been a sweet love.
Though this feeling I can't change.
But please don't take it badly,
'Cause Lord knows I'm to blame.
But, if I stayed here with you girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you'll never change.
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can't change.
Lord help me, I can't change.

I saw Skynard at JFK Stadium in Philly (along with a too-stoned to sing Peter Frampton). Skynard kicked Frampton's ASS. Rest well Billy. The guys are ready with one helluva jam session up there.

FLY ON FREE BIRD FLY ON....

Must be a hell of a jam session now that Billy, Leon, Steve, Cassie & Ronnie are together again!!

So sad, way too young!!!

R.I.P. Billy Powell!

Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say.
And if you do this
It will help you some sunny day.
Take your time... dont live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
Go find a woman and youll find love,
And dont forget son,
There is someone up above.

(chorus)
And be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Be a simple kind of man.
Wont you do this for me son,
If you can?

Forget your lust for the rich mans gold
All that you need is in your soul,
And you can do this if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

(chorus)

Boy, dont you worry... youll find yourself.
Follow you heart and nothing else.
And you can do this if you try.
All I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

(chorus)

Gunbot wrote:He played keys for Kid Rock on the Skynard/Zevon mash-up "All Summer Long". Life was going good, he blows off his doctor appointment and BAM!

what a shame ,whats wierd for me i just learned 'All summer Long "with my band and heard Red White and Blue and how awesome and almost haunting the keyboards sounded, I thought it was his best work, the organ and piano work he did on the song is his best that i ve ever heard . Then i just heard he died reading from this post. That sucks. he was great and one of the few orginal living members left from the crash.he gave us 20 more years, God Bless him,Ive been trying to play his lick s for 30 years. One of the greats for sure

hoagiepete wrote:This sucks. He always looked like he was happy to be alive (rightfully so) and playing in the band. Each time we saw them, I'd comment on how much fun it appeared he was having.

He will be missed.

He was first class all the way, always a smile on his face, his style of playing made the band

stevew2 wrote:

Gunbot wrote:He played keys for Kid Rock on the Skynard/Zevon mash-up "All Summer Long". Life was going good, he blows off his doctor appointment and BAM!

what a shame ,whats wierd for me i just learned 'All summer Long "with my band and heard Red White and Blue and how awesome and almost haunting the keyboards sounded, I thought it was his best work, the organ and piano work he did on the song is his best that i ve ever heard . Then i just heard he died reading from this post. That sucks. he was great and one of the few orginal living members left from the crash.he gave us 20 more years, God Bless him,Ive been trying to play his lick s for 30 years. One of the greats for sure

Red White and Blue is a great song. Definitely some great keys on there.

Ehwmatt wrote:

stevew2 wrote:

Gunbot wrote:He played keys for Kid Rock on the Skynard/Zevon mash-up "All Summer Long". Life was going good, he blows off his doctor appointment and BAM!

what a shame ,whats wierd for me i just learned 'All summer Long "with my band and heard Red White and Blue and how awesome and almost haunting the keyboards sounded, I thought it was his best work, the organ and piano work he did on the song is his best that i ve ever heard . Then i just heard he died reading from this post. That sucks. he was great and one of the few orginal living members left from the crash.he gave us 20 more years, God Bless him,Ive been trying to play his lick s for 30 years. One of the greats for sure

Red White and Blue is a great song. Definitely some great keys on there.

the words are okay, i was more impressed with the chords and keyboard work, we are doing that fucker next week

mikemarrs wrote:Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say.
And if you do this
It will help you some sunny day.
Take your time... dont live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
Go find a woman and youll find love,
And dont forget son,
There is someone up above.

(chorus)
And be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Be a simple kind of man.
Wont you do this for me son,
If you can?

Forget your lust for the rich mans gold
All that you need is in your soul,
And you can do this if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

(chorus)

Boy, dont you worry... youll find yourself.
Follow you heart and nothing else.
And you can do this if you try.
All I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

(chorus)

My favorite of many from Skynrd. R I P Billy.

Like the band/genre, or not, Billy Powell was/is a true American icon.
Not just some redneck honky tonk player, this guy could play anything & everything.
This true talent will surely be missed.


later~

Way to young to go........I think he should have kept that appointment with his doctor ........Could have saved him ........

Absolutely dig this man and this band. So so sad.

Love Lynyrd Skynyrd....they are huge in da south...

Interesting to see how this effects the bands touring. If I recall right, they were already in violation of a lawsuit verdict that was refered to as "the rule of three", which stated that in order to use the name Lynyrd Skynyrd there had to be at least three original members. When Leon Wilkerson passed away, they were in violation of that, allthough since they are such a huge touring act, and Van Zant's widow still gets paid, I'm assuming she looked the other way. But with Powell gone? Man, hard to justify keeping the name.