R.I.P Billy Powell

BassScum · #1 01-28-2009, 11:59 AM

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell died. Only 56 years old.

dave64o · #2 01-28-2009, 12:54 PM

Just saw the news.

He played some great piano. RIP

buzzbass · #3 01-28-2009, 01:24 PM

R.I.P. Billy

So, that's it ? There only 1 original memeber left now, right ? Gary Rossington is all that's left, I think.

Basshappi · #4 01-28-2009, 03:13 PM

Sadness.

RIP Billy.

Valerus · #5 01-28-2009, 03:21 PM

Jeez Lynyrd is dwindling

MichaelVee · #6 01-28-2009, 04:17 PM

As a long-time fan of Billy Powell, and as a 51-year-old, this makes me exceedingly sad. Billy Powell was a monster honky-tonk rock piano player. Most of us have heard the Skynyrd catalog, and know what Billy meant to the sound of that band.

I was very privileged to hear Billy play live with the short-lived, but fabulous band Vision back in the mid-80's. I also have the Vision LP and will listen to it tonight in honor of one of those piano players that most of us have only dreamed of playing with.

Rest in peace, Billy. You are already missed, brother.

Rattman · #7 01-28-2009, 04:27 PM

This is terrible news guys... That band has had it fair share of death, disaster and injuries. Even Ed King who played a Fender bass on the debut LP still suffers from a heart ailment. But the GOOD thing is, he still LIVES.. and is doing pretty well there somewhere in the Nashville area. We exchanged emails a few times over the years. He had a '59 Les Paul at one time that was stolen.. He was browsing thru a book that had pics of vintage Les Pauls listed in it. He spotted HIS stolen '59 Paul in one of the pics.. long story short, after some negociating, he got it back after about a 10-year absence of his pride and joy.

maxbass · #8 01-29-2009, 02:35 AM

Fly Free as a Bird, great Billy

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=mioGewkWVdo

GeneralElectric · #9 01-29-2009, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzbass

R.I.P. Billy

So, that's it ? There only 1 original memeber left now, right ? Gary Rossington is all that's left, I think.

He's the only one that still plays I think. The drummer got arrested for not registering as a sex offender and Ed King is holed up somewhere due to health problems.

I saw them open for Kid Rock recently and they sounded terrible. Kid Rock (FOH wise) sounded much better though I walked out 20 minutes into his set.

I think now that Powel is out they should finally call it quits.

JacoLesFlea · #10 01-29-2009, 05:06 AM

RIP

http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/61980759

Bard2dbone · #11 01-29-2009, 05:23 AM

Major bummer. Billy Powell was one of the most recognizable piano stylists I know. His touch was as easy to pick out as Jon Lord on organ.

I always wished I could play piano like Billy. I still can't. But I'll keep trying.

RIP Billy

T-Bird · #12 01-29-2009, 08:02 AM

Hi.

Damn, that's sad news. RIP Billy.

I don't think they should called it quits, a band like that playing music like that should be there forever to give people a remainder what a laid down rock should sound like.

And BTW, Rickey Medlocke is still alive, isn't he? He was after all one of the early 70's drummers.

Regards
Sam

JacoLesFlea · #13 01-29-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Damn, that's sad news. RIP Billy.

I don't think they should called it quits, a band like that playing music like that should be there forever to give people a remainder what a laid down rock should sound like.

And BTW, Rickey Medlocke is still alive, isn't he? He was after all one of the early 70's drummers.

Regards
Sam

Yep Rickey is still with us 58 years old.

heavychevy · #14 01-29-2009, 09:26 AM

RIP Billy..."play pretty for Atlanta"
Ricky Medlocke, Gary Rossington, Bob Burns, Ed King and Artimus Pyle are all still alive. And actually Ean Evans played with L.S. in the 70's briefly and Leon tought him the tunes.

Bridge Cables · #15 01-29-2009, 12:46 PM

RIP old Cactus Man

Billy the hallways will echo with

Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo

Glad you learned Redneck, things won’t be the same without you.

BC

Bernie Connors · #16 01-29-2009, 12:57 PM

I couldn't believe this when I read it yesterday. So sad.. Billy had such a recognizable style as was mentioned earlier. One of my favorite pianists.

KPJ · #17 01-29-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavychevy

RIP Billy..."play pretty for Atlanta"
Ricky Medlocke, Gary Rossington, Bob Burns, Ed King and Artimus Pyle are all still alive. And actually Ean Evans played with L.S. in the 70's briefly and Leon tought him the tunes.

Don't forget Larry Junstrom, the original bass player, mow playing with .38 Special.

R.I.P Billy. I was always struck by how classical sounding his piano part for "Freebird" was. Also, the video of him talking to the press after the plane crash, he is completely composed but he has this massive gash stitched shut across his face. Amazing.

Bridge Cables · #18 01-29-2009, 04:14 PM

Hey KPJ,

Bill was originally classically trained on the keys. He used to come over to, now my wife, house in J’ville and play Mozart, Beethoven, etc., since they had a baby grand there. He will be missed along with Leon, Ronnie and the rest, really hurts to see ‘em pass.

BC

warwick.hoy · #19 01-30-2009, 01:13 AM

can't say that I'm much of a Skynard fan anymore, but Powell could jam. As a kid; I listened to One More From the Road just to for his piano solo in Freebird. RIP Billy Powell.

jaywa · #20 01-30-2009, 01:31 PM

Billy packed a lot of livin' into those 56 years. My wife is a huge Skynard fan... me not so much but I can appreciate talent when I hear it, and Billy had it.

The comments about whether Skynard should continue or not... that's a really interesting question. At what point is it more of a "brand" than a "band", and does it make a difference?