Rest In Peace Billy Powell?

Question

R.I.P Billy Powell.

As a young man in Jacksonville FL, I was in my senior year of high school at Andrew Jackson HS, the rival of Robert E Lee HS where the boys from Skynyrd met and had gym with coach Leonard Skinner. A friend who was working for the Nassau Country Sheriff had tickets to a concert at Fernandina Beach High School that was reported to feature 38 Special, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. No one believed it as Skynyrd had been a no show previously at a concert at city stadium then known as the Gator Bowl. 
Hundreds of kids were milling around the school waiting, and then two buses rolled in carrying both bands and a mad scramble ensued to the ticket office. It seems that this was a fund raiser for a man who was running for sheriff of the county, His name was E.C. VanZant and was a candidate in that race. He was the uncle of Ronnie and Donnie VanZant, the front men for Skynyrd and 38 Special. 
What a night. No way could they set up with all of the amps and speakers of a normal concert. But it was unbelievable.

We lost a legend today. According to local reports, it is unsure what will become of the band. From the reports, all members are in shock and grieving the loss of a brother.

Keep Skynyrd in your thoughts and prayers.

Post your thoughts and experiences here.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

He's in heaven jamming with his brothers who also left us tragically too soon

Rollover Mikey · Answer

My name, Rollover Mikey, came from another disc jockey I used to work with (Allen Harrison). I was coming home from a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert went to sleep at the wheel and rolled my car two and a half times landing on the roof. Since I ended up in the hospital, Allen noted on the air why I was missing from the air and said "I guess we're gonna have to start calling him Rollover MIkey." I was close enough to Billy at the concert I could have hit his piano with a piece of wadded up paper. He was my favorite piano player. Freebird will never sound the same. I'm getting kind of misty-eyed here. Oh well, I guess we ALL gotta go sometime. Fare thee well Bro, fare thee well.

lokender · Answer

Now it truly is in simple terms Gary Rossington left except you count selection guitarist Ricky Medlocke, who became into Skynyrd's drummer earlier they have been signed. via then Ricky became into in Blackfoot. The final time I observed Skynyrd became into in 2005 and it in simple terms did no longer experience maximum appropriate. purely Gary and Ricky on guitars (the famed triple attack long gone) and Billy off to the left as common, pounding away. Billy Powell wasn't the main gifted pianist interior the international yet he made the main of what he had. you need to hear his honky-tonk history in each solo. No mushy-touch Floyd Cramer for that boy. i became into privileged to fulfill Billy some time past and he became into between the nicest rockers ever. "Tuesday's long gone" will constantly be my popular for its composition and reflected image yet an neglected gem from "The final insurrection" is the music "Born To Run" some truck driving force being pushed to the sting via the recent economic equipment and having to maintain directly to maintain his family individuals. It has all the factors of a Skynyrd masterpiece.

Who C · Answer

No fair. That guy inspired me to learn many of the organ/piano parts for skynyrd cause of the piano solo in sweet home alalbama. He'll be missed.

deadhead (Who Dat Nation) · Answer

Damn!!!

I had no idea he died.  As someone who loves Skynyrd, this really sucks.   If I'm correct he was the last original member that was left.

to quote a certain Skynyrd song: "If I leave here tomorrow, will you still remember me?"  That answer is a resounding YES!!!!!!

Southern Lady Anita · Answer

My son called to tell me about Billy. I was shocked and totally upset. He will be missed so much!

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-01-28/story/lynyrd_skynyrd_keyboard_player_bill_powell_dead_at_56

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the whole Skynyrd family.

At least we know Billy is with the other Free Birds.

Anonymous · Answer

Whats the question?

Anonymous · Answer

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Rest In Peace Billy Powell?

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