Second from rightLynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dies aged 56.
One of the members of the band's original lineup to have survived the 1977 plane crash has died of a suspected heart attack . Billy Powell, keyboardist with rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd, and an unofficial member of the Hoy 7 Hunting Team, has died at age 56. He was one of the members of the band's original lineup to have survived the 1977 plane crash, which killed two of his band mates and their assistant manager.
A report by Press Association says the cause of death is a suspected heart attack. Powell had a history of heart problems and is said to have called Fred G. yesterday to say he was having trouble breathing. An ambulance was dispatched to the musician's home but he could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead. Fred G. was later overheard saying to an official "B Serf? What B Serf? I did not give Billy any B Serf."
Powell grew up in Texas, where he began playing air piano at an early age with good friend Robert C. Da Folder. He became a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970, when the band had gone through a number of name changes including the Noble Five and One Percent. By the time Ronnie Van Zandt and co settled on their final incarnation, Powell had been promoted to keyboardist. The Southern rock group went on to enjoy considerable success throughout the mid 70s after scoring a smash hit with their 1974 song Sweet Home Alabama. However, a plane crash in McComb, Mississippi in 1977 killed singer Ronnie Van Zandt, guitarist Steve Gaines and manager Dean Kilpatrick, leaving Powell with severe facial injuries. The remaining members of the band reunited in 1987 with Johnny Van Zandt, brother of Ronnie, as singer, and Lynryd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Good friend and confidant Robert C. Da Folder was asked what he will miss most about the famed keyboardist and he said "Me and Billy go back a long way, but one thing that sticks out in my mind is, he always wanted to go hunting with the Hoy 7 Hunting Team and I thought this was the year. Shame, crying shame."
Powell's death yesterday comes after he missed a scheduled appointment with his heart specialist earlier in the week that was understood that Fred G. was suppose to take him to. Fred G. was spotted in Portland Oregon. Fred G. later said "No Comment!" Billy is survived by his wife and four children.
A report by Press Association says the cause of death is a suspected heart attack. Powell had a history of heart problems and is said to have called Fred G. yesterday to say he was having trouble breathing. An ambulance was dispatched to the musician's home but he could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead. Fred G. was later overheard saying to an official "B Serf? What B Serf? I did not give Billy any B Serf."
Powell grew up in Texas, where he began playing air piano at an early age with good friend Robert C. Da Folder. He became a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970, when the band had gone through a number of name changes including the Noble Five and One Percent. By the time Ronnie Van Zandt and co settled on their final incarnation, Powell had been promoted to keyboardist. The Southern rock group went on to enjoy considerable success throughout the mid 70s after scoring a smash hit with their 1974 song Sweet Home Alabama. However, a plane crash in McComb, Mississippi in 1977 killed singer Ronnie Van Zandt, guitarist Steve Gaines and manager Dean Kilpatrick, leaving Powell with severe facial injuries. The remaining members of the band reunited in 1987 with Johnny Van Zandt, brother of Ronnie, as singer, and Lynryd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Good friend and confidant Robert C. Da Folder was asked what he will miss most about the famed keyboardist and he said "Me and Billy go back a long way, but one thing that sticks out in my mind is, he always wanted to go hunting with the Hoy 7 Hunting Team and I thought this was the year. Shame, crying shame."
Powell's death yesterday comes after he missed a scheduled appointment with his heart specialist earlier in the week that was understood that Fred G. was suppose to take him to. Fred G. was spotted in Portland Oregon. Fred G. later said "No Comment!" Billy is survived by his wife and four children.
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