Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dies

[Allhallowsday]

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dies 

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell died Wednesday morning (January 28) at his home in Orange Park, Fla. He was 56.

According to the Associated Press, Powell called 911 around 12:55 a.m., saying he was having trouble breathing. Rescue crews arrived at the home, but Powell was pronounced dead just before 2 a.m.

Orange Park Police Lt. Mark Cornett told the AP that Powell had missed an appointment yesterday for a cardiac evaluation.

Powell, whose fluid piano runs spiced such classic Skynyrd songs as "Freebird," "Call Me the Breeze" and "Sweet Home Alabama," and founding guitarist Gary Rossington were the only two original members of the Southern rock band to survive the 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backup vocalist Cassie Gaines... 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090128/people_nm/us_skynyrd

[vanlutz]

Doesn't it seem like everyday someone in the entertainment business is dying. It's a shame. How many original members of Skynyrd are left?

[Allhallowsday]

BILLY POWELL was a roadie/musician who joined LYNYRD SKYNYRD just before they really started to break and he plays keyboard on the their first and best remembered albums.  POWELL survived the plane crash. 

[Psycho Circus]

Dang, another legend... R.I.P.