Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell dead at 56

Billy Powell, a longtime keyboard player for Lynyrd Skynyrd who survived the band's 1977 plane crash, died at his Orange Park condo early this morning, according to police in Orange Park.

Police Chief James Boivin said Powell called 911 from his condo in Club Continental and was pronounced dead after rescue crews performed CPR on him. Boivin said he was told Powell had an appointment with his heart specialist Monday but never made the appointment.

Powell joined Skynyrd in 1972 after working for the band for a couple of years as a roadie.

"Billy was a good, good family man," said Gene Odom, a security guard for the band who was also in the Oct. 20, 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and five other people. "Ronnie Van Zant was fond of his keyboard playing and always bragged about him."

Guitarist Gary Rossington and Powell were the only members of the pre-crash incarnation of Skynyrd who were still playing with the band.


Source: jacksonville.com