Lynyrd Skynyrd Keyboardist Dies at 56

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell passed away in his home in the suburbs of Jacksonville, Fla., early Wednesday morning. He was 56 years old.

According to local newspaper the Florida-Times Union, Powell called 911 himself, but following CPR from rescue workers, was pronounced dead at 1:52 AM. There is no word yet on the cause of death.

Powell took music lessons while attending military boarding school. He majored in music theory in college, but his true rock 'n' roll education began when he became a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd. In 1972, he was promoted to keyboardist for the band. Quite simply, they heard him play and hired him on the spot.

Four years later, Powell survived the plane crash that killed three of his bandmates and their manager. At the time, it was the end of the line for Lynyrd Skynyrd, but Powell persevered, continuing to play music in various other bands including the Rossington-Collins Band (featuring fellow Skynyrd alum), his own band Alias and Christian rockers Vision.

When surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited in 1987, with fallen frontman Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother Johnny filling in, Powell was on board. He was an integral part of the reunited band and remained with them until his death.

Several of Lynyrd Skynyrd's upcoming scheduled gigs will be canceled, as the band mourns their loss. Van Zant told the Florida Times-Union, "That old saying, the show must go on, always counts. Unless you die."

Perhaps bringing things full circle, Powell's defining moment was and is his keyboard solo in 'Freebird' -- an encore song with the lyrics, "If I leave here tomorrow/Would you still remember me?" For his friends and all his fans, the answer of course, is yes.

Dearly Departed Musicians

Billy Powell, Jan. 27: The longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist, who survived the beloved band's deadly plane crash in 1977, died at his home in Florida of undisclosed causes. He was 56.

Michael Bush, WireImage

Charlie Cooper, Jan. 22: The Telefon Tel Aviv star, left, was 31. The cause of death is currently unknown.

Bpitch Control

David 'Fathead' Newman, Jan. 20: The tenor sax player not only played with Ray Charles and other legends, but also had a successful solo career. He died of pancreatic cancer at 75.

Getty Images

Pedro Aguilar, Jan. 13: The mambo dancing legend known to most as 'Cuban Pete' was one of the genre's leading men in the 1950s. He died at the age of 81.

AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Raul Rubiera

Ron Asheton, Jan. 6: Along with Iggy Pop, left, the guitarist helped define the Detroit garage rock sound with the beloved Stooges. Although it hasn't been made official, it's believed that Asheton suffered a heart attack at his Ann Arbor, Mich. home. He was 60.

Harold Cunningham, WireImage

Freddie Hubbard, Dec. 29: The 'hard bop' jazz trumpet legend who worked with greats like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Art Blakey during his prime died more than a month after suffering a heart attack on Nov. 20. He was 70 years old.

Tom Copi, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Delaney Bramlett, Dec. 27: The accomplished singer, songwriter and producer to such stars as George Harrison and Eric Clapton died at the age of 69 after complications from gallbladder surgery. He's seen here (right) in 1970 with Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia (left).

Eartha Kitt, Dec. 25: The sultry 'Santa Baby' songstress who went on to have a long career in music, movies and on stage died on Christmas day after a long battle with colon cancer.

Jamie McCarthy, WireImage.com

Davy Graham, Dec. 15: The folk singer known and respected across the music world for his nimble fingers and innovative use of tuning, died from a seizure in his London home. He was 68, and also had a long battle lung cancer.

Chris Mills, Redferns / Retna

Odetta, Dec. 2: The singer who became intertwined with the civil rights movement and sang during the 1963 march on Washington died of what her manager says was a heart attack. She was 77.

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Filed Under: lynyrd skynyrd, LynyrdSkynyrd

Categories: R.I.P.