Billy Powell, the masterful keyboardist who helped shape Lynyrd Skynyrd's iconic Southern rock sound, died on January 28, 2009, at his home in Orange Park, Florida. He was 56.
Powell made a desperate 911 call in the early hours reporting breathing difficulties. Despite emergency responders performing CPR, he was pronounced dead about an hour later. Medical officials attributed his death to a heart attack, noting his history of cardiac problems.
As a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd since 1970, Powell's distinctive keyboard work featured prominently in classics like "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird," which are emblematic of the Southern rock genre. His musical journey with the band began when he joined as a roadie, before his exceptional piano skills earned him an official spot as keyboardist in 1972.
Powell was among the survivors of the devastating 1977 plane crash that claimed the lives of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and vocalist Cassie Gaines. Though he sustained facial injuries, Powell was the only band member able to attend his fallen bandmates' funerals.
Following the tragedy, Powell helped keep the music alive. He played with the Rossington-Collins Band in the early 1980s before joining the reformed Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987, featuring Ronnie's younger brother Johnny Van Zant as lead vocalist.
Powell continued performing with the band until his death, contributing to several albums including "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991" and their final recording with him, "Vicious Cycle" in 2003. His passing marked another somber chapter in the band's storied history, which saw them inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
Johnny Van Zant reflected on Powell's death as part of the band's complex legacy, noting their journey had been both "wonderful" and "bumpy." Powell's masterful keyboard work and dedication to the band's sound left an indelible mark on rock music history.