RIP Billy Powell

Posted on January 29, 2009 by GingerSnaps

I was saddened to hear of the passing of legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd pianist/keyboardist, Billy Powell, last night.

Powell was one of the original band members and one of the guys who survived the 1977 plane crash that took the lives of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, their road manager Dean Kilpatrick.

I had the mindblowing honor and pleasure of working with Billy Powell and the guys from the reformed line-up of Skynyrd back in 1995 when they cut a track for the album “NASCAR: Hotter Than Asphalt” when we all flew down to Daytona for the 500 that year.

Yeah, we flew.  I figured Billy Powell & Gary Rossington must’ve had great flying karma, so I was good to go.

They were a pure blast to be around.  I never got a picture with them myself, but this is a pic I took of my brother (who was on absolute Cloud 9 to be in Daytona AND in the presence of the Great Lynyrd Skynyrd all in the same day!) & ex sister-in-law with Billy, comedian Killer Beaz, and…if a Skynyrd expert could let me know who is on the far left, I’d appreciate it, because I cannot tell who it is — Allen Collins, perhaps? thanks to commenter, Dave, who confirmed that it is Mike Estes!

Anyway, I will always treasure the memory of getting to spend that day with those legends.  I laughed so much and had a ball.  Good times.

Rock & roll folklore has it that Billy started out as a roadie for the band, sat down at the piano and started playing his own version of “Freebird” one day, impressed Ronnie so much that he invited Billy to be their permanent keyboardist, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Rest peacefully, Billy…and please give a nod to Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, and all of the others who have gone on before you from all of the lighter-lifting fans down here below.

More from LeBlanc here.

Filed under: Current Events, Family, Job, Music, Obit, Pictures | Tagged: , , ,

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11 Responses

  1. Heather Dugan, on January 29th, 2009 at 7:40 am Said:

    You’ve certainly packed in a lot of adventure, Ginger.

  2. Dave, on January 29th, 2009 at 10:46 am Said:

    The person on the left is Mike Estes. Mike was in Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1994 until early 1997. I believe he currently plays in a band called Skinny Molly out of the Nashville area.
    I was friendly with Billy and the rest of the band for many years. I actually have a picture at home of several of them with Dale Sr. that I believe may have been taken at that same time in 1995.

    These are some sad days…

  3. Geeky Tai-Tai, on January 29th, 2009 at 12:05 pm Said:

    Back in the 70’s when my husband and I were dating, he took me to see them in concert. It was awesome!

  4. Sybil Law, on January 29th, 2009 at 2:05 pm Said:

    :(
    I am holding up my lighter for him. Freebird, indeed.

  5. Th3 w1tch, on January 29th, 2009 at 10:27 pm Said:

    Billy was an amazing person who gave so much of himself to anyone he ever met.
    A legend has left us and the world seems a little less bright.

  6. Feel Good Friday: Sweet Home Alabama « GingerSnaps, on January 29th, 2009 at 11:04 pm Said:

    [...] Feel Good Friday: Sweet Home Alabama Posted on January 29, 2009 by GingerSnaps Feel Good Friday is back here at GingerSnaps with one in tribute to the great Billy Powell… [...]

  7. sistasmiff, on January 30th, 2009 at 11:43 am Said:

    I always loved to see Billy on shows talking about LS. He seemed like such a warm, wonderful guy. Not to mention his ivory ticklin…hate he’s gone.

  8. greg cornell, on January 31st, 2009 at 11:06 am Said:

    billy is a free bird now rip you will be missed

  9. Barry McGarrh, on January 31st, 2009 at 12:18 pm Said:

    Billy was instrumental with “Freebird’s Last Flight” presentation that I take into the prison system. Billy, in the presentation, gave hope to many! Now we will remember the influence he had on so many. His testimony and belief in Christ Jesus was clear!

    Thanks Billy for all of the support you gave to so many!!

    Barry McGarrh
    Director, Freebird Jail & Prison Outreach

  10. Stephen, on February 1st, 2009 at 7:07 am Said:

    I have followed Skynyrd for many years (sence Bob Brown, Junstrum, Collins, VanZant, Rossington, King) Prior to Billy Powell on the piano Skynyrd was a tight band always and Billy knew that he could contribute good music to the band. He was a master on the ivory and made so many great live shows shine. I had a difficult ime listening to my vast collection of The Lynyrd Skynyrd Band after his death and I believe it is time to let the band R. I. P. I miss everyone of you very much everyday!!!
    Thank you for the ever-lasting music that has made Lynyrd Skynyrd legends.
    Peace and Love ……………………..

  11. Pamela, on February 2nd, 2009 at 12:26 pm Said:

    Truly saddened. I grew up with them. Billy and I were same age, both 52 models. Saw LS in Mobile when Free Bird first came out. It’s like Hank, Jr. said, he will be missed and one of the best rowdy friends in gone. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children, LS and all of his rowdy friends.

Comments are closed.