Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dies at 56

Billy Powell, keyboardist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away at his home near Jacksonville, Florida last night. No cause of death has been released as of yet. The band's website has this post, “A Great Loss — Beloved Pianist for the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, Billy Powell, passed away last night. We will post more info shortly. The family and band request your respect and understanding during this difficult time. Thank you.” The band has canceled upcoming shows and directs fans to the website for further updates.

Powell joined the band as a member in 1973 after serving as a roadie for a year. Powell was invited to join the band after he was credited with crafting the intro to Freebird, listed as 191 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the greatest songs of all time. He remained a member from the debut album until 1977's Street Survivors. His self taught style was an inspiration to many fans and aspiring musicians.

He was also the only survivor of the 1977 plane crash that claimed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines and other crew members. Despite suffering injuries including facial lacerations and nearly losing his nose, Powell was the first to be discharged from the hospital and was the only member to attend his bandmates’ funerals. After Skynyrd, Powell joined the Christian rock band Vision, but reunited with Skynyrd after a decade-long hiatus for some concerts in 1989, and ultimately remained with the band until now. In May, Skynyrd played their first-ever gig at New York’s Madison Square Garden with Kid Rock.

Powell and the rest of his Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. With Powell’s death, guitarist Gary Rossington becomes the lone surviving original Skynyrd member touring with the band.

Thank you Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone Magazine for the excerpts in this article.
Billy, you will be missed.