MetaChat - Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dead at 56 of heart attack.

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28 January 2009

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dead at 56 of heart attack. Fly high, Freebird.

post by: jonmc at: 15:28 | 8 comments

Corny as it sounds, I got teary-eyed listening to that. As much of a silly joke as people have turned them into, their music still has the power to move you.

posted by jonmc 28 January | 15:38

Skynyrd has had some rough breaks, now that I think of it, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson, and now Billy Powell all gone way before their time.

posted by jonmc 28 January | 15:47

Oof. Not a good week for creatives. [updike]

posted by chewatadistance 28 January | 16:15

I absolutely love Skynyrd. Always have, always will.

posted by essexjan 28 January | 16:35

\m/

Sorry to hear about this... in their glory days they were really an amazing, amazing band.

posted by BoringPostcards 28 January | 17:14

Damn straight, BP. They were Southern Rock at it's best, a bunch of young guys looking to create a new but still Southern, identity.

posted by jonmc 28 January | 17:15

posted by BitterOldPunk 28 January | 19:35

Powell was on hand again in 1991 when a revived version of the band put out a new album, "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991" and launched a tour in Baton Rouge, La., where the band was headed in 1977 when the plane crashed. Fans who kept their tickets from the canceled 1977 concert were admitted free.

*tears up*

posted by BitterOldPunk 28 January | 19:50

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