Billy Powell, keyboard player for Lynyrd Skynyrd passed away on January 28, 2009 of a suspected heart attack. He was 56 years old. Powell joined Skynyrd in 1972 after briefly working as a roadie for the band. He was asked to join the band after singer Ronnie Van Zant heard him playing a version of Free Bird on piano before a rehearsal. Powell was seriously injured in the 1977 plane crash that claimed the lives of Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and four others. He and guitarist Gary Rossington were the only members of the pre-crash Skynyrd who still played with the band. Our condolences to Powell’s family and friends.
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