Original Lynyrd Skynyrd Member Dies
http://www.news4jax.com/news/18584568/detail.html#-
Original Lynyrd Skynyrd Member Dies
Billy Powell May Have Suffered Heart Attack
POSTED: Wednesday, January 28, 2009
UPDATED: 12:47 pm EST January 28, 2009
Billy Powell at keyboard
Billy Powell at the keyboard in 2005
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.
Original Lynyrd Skynyrd Member Dies
Billy Powell May Have Suffered Heart Attack
POSTED: Wednesday, January 28, 2009
UPDATED: 12:47 pm EST January 28, 2009
Billy Powell at keyboard
Billy Powell at the keyboard in 2005
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.
Comments
That said...the picture in the news story shows a not-very-healthy-looking guy...
Obviously wasn't the Pronounced LP laying out!
Probably the end of the 'new' skynyrd. Last I heard VanZants ole lady has the rights to the band. she stipulates that their has to be atleast 3 original members to continue :roll:
Powell hasn't looked healthy for along time..... proctologist maybe... but skip your cardiologist appointment....... See what happens.. :roll: :shock: