Gonna miss you! JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist and pianist Billy Powell has died. Powell, 56, died early Wednesday morning. The death was initially posted on the band's fan club web site. Orange Park Police Chief James Boivin says Powell called 911 at 12:55 a.m. Wednesday saying he was having difficulty breathing. Police arrived at his home and his niece answered the door. She didn't know why police were there, but police say Powell called from his bedroom, Boivin says. Boivin says Powell missed a Tuesday appointment with his doctor for a cardiac evaluation. Boivin says Powell died of "natural causes" and the police investigation is complete. Powell was one of two band members, along with Gary Rossington, still active who performed with the band prior to the fatal plane crash in 1977 that killed 3 of the band's members. Lynyrd Skynyrd has 2 concerts scheduled for next week in Louisiana and Mississippi. We'll update this story with new information as it becomes available. ©2009 First Coast News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.
OMG!!! I didn't know a thing about this.. It is sooooooooooo sad.. Wonderful person.. I had the opportunity to meet him a couple times.. He will be missed by so many..... Here is a pic from one of the nights I got to meet him.. We couldn't take our camera backstage, but I had great seats.. May he Rest In Peace, and hopefully somehow comfort will make it to his family & band members!
Here is a link to pictures from The Simple Man Cruise.. I didn't go, but found the link to them on the website.. This is probably one of the last times he performed... He was here with the band on New Years, and sadly, I didn't get to go... http://gs77.photobucket.com/groups/j73/CP6GCGVMKC/
