RIP Billy Powell

I don't mean to downplay the passing of an important part of a lot of people's musical experience, mine included, but at what point does "Lynyrd Skynyrd" stop being Lynyrd Skynyrd? Rescheduling the shows in the near future? I loved that band, but c'mon. I understand that as long as Gary Rossington can call his band "Lynyrd Skynyrd" he can play to thousands of people instead of dozens, and those thousands will probably have a good time watching and listening to a pale imitation of the real thing. Am I the only one saddened by that as well as the passing of Billy Powell? They were on some concert channel I have on my cable package, but I couldn't even watch. I saw them in the summer of `77; need I say more?

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Damn. Billy Powell was one of the best. I know some killer players that can't do what he did. Sad indeed.

 
I'll miss him. I did see them before Leon died and it was a great show. They do sound awsome. VanZant is as close as you can get to his brother.

 
Billy Powell, a keyboardist for the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died at his northeast Florida home.

Orange Park Police Lt. Mark Cornett says 56-year-old keyboard player Billy Powell called 911 about 12:55 a.m. Wednesday saying he was having trouble breathing. Rescue crews performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m.

Cornett says no foul play is suspected and an autopsy will not be performed. He says Powell missed a Tuesday appointment with his doctor for a cardiac evaluation. A heart attack is suspected. Billy Powell was one of two surviving band members who were with the group before a 1977 plane crash that killed three of its members.

As someone who first started on piano, I can honestly say I always loved Billy's style. I will always remember the first time I heard "Call Me the Breeze" and thinking to myself, man...I want to play like that. He both inspired me want to play the piano, and ultimately, to quit (no way was I ever gonna get there). Just felt the need to speak up...

 
Just cracked a bottle of Jack and did a shot in your honor Mr. Billy Powell, now I'm gonna hit the play button and turn up Freebird real loud for ya!

Fly on Freebird, Join your flock and fly high! /emoticons/default_tongue.png

 
Just found out about this, man, I grew up listening to Skynyrd, only 56, way too young to leave this world....God Bless ya, Billy, hope there's a beautiful Steinway up in Heaven waiting for you!

 
Dammit. Now I HAVE to get a keyboard or something...I've been saying I need to learn piano for years purely because of him.

RIP, and yes, way too young.

 
What was intriguing is that the intro to "Freebird" as a studio track was on an organ, while the live version was on a piano. Worked either way...and back around the turn of the century, didn't Powell's onstage piano spin around (on a horizontal plane)? Might've been doing that for who knows how long.

I saw 'em open for ZZ TOP in '99, but you could have easily switched the order and it still woulda worked. IMO the guitar triumvirate of Rossington, Medlocke and Thomason (RIP as well) was just about the best lineup ever in that band...seemed like those three distinctive guitar voices blended together better than any others. They were promoting the EDGE OF FOREVER album on that tour, and a song from that release, "Preacher Man" was one of the best Skynyrd tunes I've ever heard.

 
damn!!!missed this-only Gary,Ed, Artimus left?-man, thats rough...Hugie Thomasson died within the last year or two..Leon a few yrs ago-man, dont play with that heart,fellow members-I have a real bad heart condition that I found out about when I was 36....-40 now and still going,but heart research and care still has a long way to go-lots of eople dont want to go to doc, but get that blood work done..bp only is not enough

-rock on,Billy Powell...always seemed like a cool cat who had it all under control-helluva life and legacy!

 
Big bummer

Which one of these dudes did the old meeting with the devil at the crossroads.

This bad just had some horrendous luck to go with their success

Fly on!!!

 
Wow, one by one they're just about all gone. Was just having a conversation with the other guitarist in my band about how underrated Gary Rossington is, and Collins, and told him I thought I could hear their style in our playing, He said yea, except we suck!

 
I did not know, may he RIP. /emoticons/default_biggrin.png

Michael said:
those thousands will probably have a good time watching and listening to a pale imitation of the real thing.
Click to expand...
You probably should see them on video. Not a pale imitation at all. These guys, including the replacements, are amazing musicians, the band is very tight, the tone is awesome, and they put on a great show.

 
This means that Lynyrd Skynyrd is over.

When Lynyrd Skynyrd got back together for a reunion tour in 1987 and 1988 it was supposed to be temporary. To continue using the Skynyrd name after that a deal had to be made with Ronnie Van Zant's widow, Judy Van Zant. The band had to include at least two pre-crash members, and that may not include the two surviving backup singers. Even though Rick Medlocke was in the band early, he was not with the group at the time they were releasing albums, so he may not count toward the two-member restriction.

Two drummers are still alive, Artimus Pyle and Bob Burns. Artimus still performs Skynyrd music.

Ed King and Gary Rossington do not get along.

It will be interesting to see what kind of deal is reached to keep the band going.

 
I saw this yesterday, a bummer for sure. Billy Powell was a great player for sure.

I saw the original lineup the first time at the Ozark Music Festival.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozark_Music_Festival,_(1974)

I saw them at least 5 or 6 more times before the plane crash and at least once every year since they got the band back together.

It may not have been the originals but it was always a kick ass show.

Too bad Artimus has his own problems to deal with which I'm sure is the reason he's not with them any more.

 
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