RIP Lynyrd Skynyrd's Billy Powell

[jmatt]

Only 56, he was Lynyrd Skynyrd's only keyboardist. Wrote the intro to "Freebird".

Link

 

[iLoVeLoNgHoRnS]

Sad, sad news.
He was probably one of the most talented pianist in the music industry.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to see Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert several times. I got to meet Billy once, and he was a real nice, down-to-earth guy.
Sad, sad news. Thoughts and prayers for the family and the band.

 

[Third Coast]

RIP BP

Saw Skynyrd multiple times at the old Parmer Auditorium in the 70's. Still among the best live shows I have ever seen.

 

[bevosayshi]

RIP BP

 

[boon]

RIP

skynyrd is my favorite rock n' roll group of all time.

 

[SunBurntOrange]

Very sad indeed. I never had a chance to see Lynyrd Skynyrd. I was 15 years old when the plane crashed in 1977. We had tickets to see them do a New Years Eve show in Fort Worth that year that obvioiusly never happened. ZZ Top and Muddy Waters filled in instead.

Sail on Mr. Powell. And thanks for everything.

 

[MusicCityHorn77]

When we played at the Big State Festival a few years ago; I took my dad backstage to watch Skynard. After a long day of beer drinking and walking around in the heat, my dad stumbles his way to the portalet, and flings the door open. Sitting there on the can, was Billy Powell. As a life-long Skynard fan, I've never seen my old man so embarassed, yet so star struck.

 

[Wild Bill]

RIP Billy! One of my favorite bands of all time. I played in a couple of cover bands back in the day that played a fair amount of Skynyrd songs. Billy could play honky tonk piano like few others. RIP.