Range_This11 Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/musi ... ed-56.html The musician was found dead at his Florida home by paramedics on Wednesday January 28 after he called them to complain of breathing difficulties. The day before he had missed an appointment with a doctor for a heart examination. Powell, who was born in Texas, went to school in Florida with the future bassist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, Leon Wilkeson, and initially found employment as the bands roadie. He worked for them until 1972, when singer Ronnie Van Zant heard him play his own version of the bands hit Free Bird and invited Powell to join Lynyrd Skynyrd as their keyboard player. Their self-titled debut was released the following year and the band achieved huge popularity during the rest of the decade with hit songs like Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama. Lynyrd Skynyrd were struck by tragedy in 1977 when their private jet crashed into a swamp in Mississipi. Although Powell was seriously injured, he survived, unlike fellow members Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. In the years that followed the crash, Powell played keyboard in a Christian rock band called Vision. He toured with Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987 when the band reformed with Van Zants brother Johnny on vocals and remained with them till his death. Powells wife Ellen and four children survive him. Hold your lighters high today and blast Freebird just one more time. Two great keyboardists are killed in the last year. Richard Wright then Billy Powell. It's a sad day. "He could climb to it, if he climbed alone, and once there he could suck on the pap of life, gulp down the incomparable milk of wonder." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
How2PK Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Who? RIP, I guess. Signature by Maurice SendakWhen the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool, that's amore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nine naked men Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Looks like he's was the keyboard guy from Lynyd Skynyd, or however you spell it. sleep like dead men wake up like dead men Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 RIP :| Last.Fm My Bloggy Proud to have served on Tip.it Crew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alg Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 :cry: *lighter* I painted some stuff and put it on tumblr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaziek Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 he's as free as a bird now :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenticular_J Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 DAMMIT. Why are so many of my favorite musical groups being picked off slowly? Sonofa[bleep]. How ironic I wore my Lynyrd Skynyrd shirt yesterday and today. catch it now so you can like it before it went so mainstream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldJoe Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 No!!! What the hell?! He was such a nice guy, at every photo/video i've seen him... He has always been smiling... Always seemed to be in a good spirit... A really good keyboard player. God damn it!!! Every muscian i like seem to die! J'adore aussi le sexe et les snuff moviesJe trouve que ce sont des purs moments de vieJe ne me reconnais plus dans les gensJe suis juste un cas désespérantEt comme personne ne viendra me réclamerJe terminerai comme un objet retrouvé Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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