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.
Only Gary Rossington is left from one of my favorite bands.
And Artemus Pyle...although he wasn't an 'original' member, he was there from pretty early on...also Ed King. Click this link for more info as well as pics of other recently departed rockers such as Delaney Bramlett and Mitch Mitchell....RIP to them all. Heaven must be gettin' one helluva concert ready for the rest of us.........
Awwe....that's a shame. I'm not much of a Skynard fan anymore, but I always dug his stuff. He was an awesome musician...always seemed like a cool guy too. One of my all-time favorite keyboardists...that boy could wail on the ivorys!
Rest in peace, man.
I'll remember from the times I saw Skynyrd live, Billy was always an entertainer as well; he always looked like he was genuinely having fun playing those keys. His enthusiasm helped to make Skynyrd's concerts upbeat and fun.
He was an important component of Skynyrd's signature sound, and he'll be missed.
I always loved when Ronny would say "Billy Powell on the piano!" Skynyrd was a huge part of my highschool years and I always loved 'em. Powell's solo on "Ain't No Good Life" was soooo good!
I went to see the movie "One from the Road" after the accident and he just seemed so sad and devastated to have survived. Well at least maybe he can see his long lost friends now.
