Post by Rob Durkee on Jan 29, 2009 19:31:22 GMT -5
By ROCKIN' ROBIN
Billy Powell, the long-time keyboardist for the legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died early Wednesday (January 28, 2009) morning at his home in Orange Park, Fla. he was 56.
The cause of death was initially unknown but local authorities said Powell had been suffering from heart problems. He'd called local police at 12:55 a.m. saying he was feeling dizzy and was having breathing difficulties. When a rescue unit arrived at Powell's home, he was found in his bedroom not far from his phone. Authorities reported that Powell didn't respond to CPR and was pronounced dead at 1:52 am.
Lynyrd Skynyrd formed in Jacksonville in the early 1970's. The group came up with its name because of Leonard Skinner, a Bishop Kenny High School gym teacher who'd barred the group members from a class due to their long hair. While touring the southern rock club circuit, Lynyrd Skynyrd was discovered by producer Al Kooper at Funocchio's, an Atlanta nightclub. From there, the group exploded onto the pop and rock music scene with the summer-of-1974 hit, "Sweet Home Alabama." Over the years, the song was rumored to be an answer record to the Neil Young song, "Southern Man."
"Sweet Home Alabama" reached #7 on the Cash Box pop singles chart as did the group's last Top 40 hit, "What's Your Name" in 1978. In between, the band pulled off a chart rarity, making the Top 40 twice with a studio (#25) and a live (#32) version of "Free Bird." Though he wasn't credited as a co-writer of "Free Bird," Powell reportedly set the stage for group members Ronnie Van Zant and Allan Collins to co-write the song. In 1972, Powell was still just a roadie for the group, helping set up equipment. Then he played the notes of what would become "Free Bird" on a piano and was named a group member shortly thereafter.
The group nearly had another Top 40 hit but "Saturday Night Special" peaked at #41 in 1975.
"What's Your Name" became a huge comeback hit for the group after its disastrous plane crash on October 20, 1977. The group's plane crashed into a swamp in Gillsburg, Mississippi. Killed in the crash were Van Zant, the group's lead singer; guitarist Steve Gaines; Cassie Gaines, Steve's sister; the two-man flight crew; and the group's road manager. Powell was seriously injured but survived. Collins and Gary Rossington would later form the Rossington Collins Band.
At least two other Lynyrd Skynyrd members are known to be deceased. Collins was paralyzed in a mid-80's car accident and was 37 when he died in 1990. Bassist Leon Wilkeson was 49 when he passed away in 2001.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame three years ago.
Billy Powell, the long-time keyboardist for the legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died early Wednesday (January 28, 2009) morning at his home in Orange Park, Fla. he was 56.
The cause of death was initially unknown but local authorities said Powell had been suffering from heart problems. He'd called local police at 12:55 a.m. saying he was feeling dizzy and was having breathing difficulties. When a rescue unit arrived at Powell's home, he was found in his bedroom not far from his phone. Authorities reported that Powell didn't respond to CPR and was pronounced dead at 1:52 am.
Lynyrd Skynyrd formed in Jacksonville in the early 1970's. The group came up with its name because of Leonard Skinner, a Bishop Kenny High School gym teacher who'd barred the group members from a class due to their long hair. While touring the southern rock club circuit, Lynyrd Skynyrd was discovered by producer Al Kooper at Funocchio's, an Atlanta nightclub. From there, the group exploded onto the pop and rock music scene with the summer-of-1974 hit, "Sweet Home Alabama." Over the years, the song was rumored to be an answer record to the Neil Young song, "Southern Man."
"Sweet Home Alabama" reached #7 on the Cash Box pop singles chart as did the group's last Top 40 hit, "What's Your Name" in 1978. In between, the band pulled off a chart rarity, making the Top 40 twice with a studio (#25) and a live (#32) version of "Free Bird." Though he wasn't credited as a co-writer of "Free Bird," Powell reportedly set the stage for group members Ronnie Van Zant and Allan Collins to co-write the song. In 1972, Powell was still just a roadie for the group, helping set up equipment. Then he played the notes of what would become "Free Bird" on a piano and was named a group member shortly thereafter.
The group nearly had another Top 40 hit but "Saturday Night Special" peaked at #41 in 1975.
"What's Your Name" became a huge comeback hit for the group after its disastrous plane crash on October 20, 1977. The group's plane crashed into a swamp in Gillsburg, Mississippi. Killed in the crash were Van Zant, the group's lead singer; guitarist Steve Gaines; Cassie Gaines, Steve's sister; the two-man flight crew; and the group's road manager. Powell was seriously injured but survived. Collins and Gary Rossington would later form the Rossington Collins Band.
At least two other Lynyrd Skynyrd members are known to be deceased. Collins was paralyzed in a mid-80's car accident and was 37 when he died in 1990. Bassist Leon Wilkeson was 49 when he passed away in 2001.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame three years ago.
