Author Topic: Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd) has passed away (Read 95 times)

kilowatt · « **on:** January 28, 2009, 03:29:15 PM »

I just read that Billy Powell has died of an apparent heart attack in his Florida home today. He was 56 years old and one hell of a keyboard player. There are not too many of the original members still alive. Another tragic loss for this band.

Pete

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2009, 03:55:42 PM »

Thanks for posting this Pete.

olieoliver · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2009, 04:03:44 PM »

That's terrible I hate to hear that, and only 56 too. WOW.
I've been a Skynard fan since....man forever.

OO

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2009, 05:44:58 PM »

What a drag. Had the chance about 2 years ago in the Atlanta airport to shake his hand & thank him for his music. (Just kept thinking If I was him, you wouldn't get me near a plane again!)

Peter

bracheen · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2009, 09:31:58 AM »

This was sad news. I loved those guys. As far as original memebers still with us that would be Gary Rossington, Larry Junstrom and Bob Burns from the mid-sixties. Though it's really a bit hard to say who is an original memeber with all their band name and player changes. Billy joined the band in 1970. They had quite the revolving door with personnel. Ricky Medlocke who is playing guitar with the currant touring band was the drummer in the early 70s before he left to start up Blackfoot. Interesting side note, in the early eighties Billy and Leon Wilkeson formed a Christian rock band called Vision along with Rocco Marshall, Leonard Jones, Mike Maple and David Jenwright. Sorry I didn't mean to ramble on with a history lesson. I was just reflecting and typing at the same time. That's dangerous at my age.

Sam

kilowatt · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2009, 02:22:01 PM »

Sam,
I believe Ed King is also still with us , although he retired from the road a long time ago. He played guitar and also played bass before Leon joined the band.

Pete

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2009, 06:38:01 PM »

Leon was the original - he left just before the first album, & Ed replaced him. Leon came back just after it was recorded & Ed moved over to 3rd guitar.

Peter