Billy Powell- RIP
Posted by: mike/dallas on 28 January 2009
Billy Powell, keyboard player for Lynyrd Skynyrd died at age 56 in Florida.
Posted on: 28 January 2009 by MilesSmiles
Very sad news - RIP Billy.
Posted on: 28 January 2009 by BigH47
Sad indeed RIP Billy, and thanks.
Posted on: 29 January 2009 by mjamrob
wow not very old - love Skynryrd one of my favourite groups, he added smoky bar-room sleazyness to the band's sound.
Posted on: 29 January 2009 by Ron The Mon
Billy was the anchor in Skynyrd. You never noticed him because he didn't want to be noticed.
Most guys join rock bands to get attention, or gain notoriety. Billy was none of those. He was there at day one with Skynyrd. He was a fan first and foremost. The reason he got into Skynyrd was because he made up a piano instrumental of "Free Bird" that blew the band away. This was before the first record.
I'm not sure I know the Forum rules here that well, so will not post links to sites that [cough,...cough] have the word "torrent" in them. But if you're interested, do a search and listen to Billy doing "Freebird" on solo piano; it will bring tears to your eyes. The guy had the touch. It's mostly with guitar that one thinks of lead/rhythym, however, Billy could turn on a dime from the most solid of rhythm to soloing with feeling, it would make you wonder why you weren't watching him all night.
The first time I saw Billy was the last time I saw Allen Collins; a Rossington/Collins show. It was all the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band "Survivors" under a different name. They were really lame. Except Billy. He was the only one that played his ass off and had a smile on his face. They chose to only play tunes from the Rossington/Collins album which looking back was a grave error. They should have had a manager who said, look, continue the Street Survivors tour like nothing happened then become Rossington/Collins.
As an aside, how about a proper RIP for Allen Collins too. The man invented the lead guitar. When you next hear someone say, "Joe Blow played this great lead last night.", think of Allen, the innovator of "The Lead", not to be confused with "lead guitar".
Now, Billy, rarely played lead. What would you do during songs in a rock band that had Allen Collins, let alone Steve Gaines, and Gary Rossington vying for spotlight time? And did I mention the often upstaging from the long-haired, shirtless, showman, and eighth greatest drummer in rock-and-roll, Artimus Pyle?
Billy was a piano player (not to be confused with the Texas pian-a). I always loved that he never played a synth. The last time I saw Skynyrd, he played a grand piano (gloss black, of course) and a B-3/Leslie. That is just pure class.
My favorite aspect of Billy is that he was always who you saw; never a fraud or show-off. He was a dork. He was originally not voted in to Skynyrd because of his looks. Ronnie Van Zandt luckily over-rode everyone else. I last saw Lynyrd Skynyrd about two years ago and Billy looked absoluely stupid! He had the gayest perm and this fluffy shirt that I suspect was suposed to seem like a tuxedo. But, man, you'd never say that outloud with the sweat dripping off that smiley mug, and him playing rock-solid all Liberace-like. What a guy!
When I jam with other musicians and am asked what I've played on, I often embellesh my resumé. I wish I could state truthfully that I played the lead or slide on Tuesday's Gone. If you don't know the tune, buy the record.
About four winters ago, I was stranded in a hotel bar in Cleveland because of a snow storm. In walks Leland Melvin, and old friend of mine. We order a bottle of Scotch and I figure I'm in for a great night of reminiscing about back in the day,.... Anyway, a hot blonde and her fat friend sit alongside us and ask what we do. Leland says, "Oh, I play a little piano."
Then the fat chick looks at me, as I'm the better looking of the two of us, and says adoringly, "What about you?".
I say, "Well, I play a little guitar".
The blonde asks, "That's it?".
Leland adds, "I used to play in the NFL", which pissed me off.
After several drinks, when it got to that point when the blonde had her hand on Leland's thigh and was goo-goo eying me, Leland states, "Did I mention I used to be an astronaut (just to seal the deal)?"
The next morning at the breakfast buffet I told Leland, "If I would have told the girls I was the one who played piano on Tuesday's Gone, you would have been the one who laid the chubbster". He laughed out loud.
Why I thought of Billy while overlooking sausages, bacon, and eggs, I don't know, but his presence will be missed.
Ron The Mon
Needle-Freak
Most guys join rock bands to get attention, or gain notoriety. Billy was none of those. He was there at day one with Skynyrd. He was a fan first and foremost. The reason he got into Skynyrd was because he made up a piano instrumental of "Free Bird" that blew the band away. This was before the first record.
I'm not sure I know the Forum rules here that well, so will not post links to sites that [cough,...cough] have the word "torrent" in them. But if you're interested, do a search and listen to Billy doing "Freebird" on solo piano; it will bring tears to your eyes. The guy had the touch. It's mostly with guitar that one thinks of lead/rhythym, however, Billy could turn on a dime from the most solid of rhythm to soloing with feeling, it would make you wonder why you weren't watching him all night.
The first time I saw Billy was the last time I saw Allen Collins; a Rossington/Collins show. It was all the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band "Survivors" under a different name. They were really lame. Except Billy. He was the only one that played his ass off and had a smile on his face. They chose to only play tunes from the Rossington/Collins album which looking back was a grave error. They should have had a manager who said, look, continue the Street Survivors tour like nothing happened then become Rossington/Collins.
As an aside, how about a proper RIP for Allen Collins too. The man invented the lead guitar. When you next hear someone say, "Joe Blow played this great lead last night.", think of Allen, the innovator of "The Lead", not to be confused with "lead guitar".
Now, Billy, rarely played lead. What would you do during songs in a rock band that had Allen Collins, let alone Steve Gaines, and Gary Rossington vying for spotlight time? And did I mention the often upstaging from the long-haired, shirtless, showman, and eighth greatest drummer in rock-and-roll, Artimus Pyle?
Billy was a piano player (not to be confused with the Texas pian-a). I always loved that he never played a synth. The last time I saw Skynyrd, he played a grand piano (gloss black, of course) and a B-3/Leslie. That is just pure class.
My favorite aspect of Billy is that he was always who you saw; never a fraud or show-off. He was a dork. He was originally not voted in to Skynyrd because of his looks. Ronnie Van Zandt luckily over-rode everyone else. I last saw Lynyrd Skynyrd about two years ago and Billy looked absoluely stupid! He had the gayest perm and this fluffy shirt that I suspect was suposed to seem like a tuxedo. But, man, you'd never say that outloud with the sweat dripping off that smiley mug, and him playing rock-solid all Liberace-like. What a guy!
When I jam with other musicians and am asked what I've played on, I often embellesh my resumé. I wish I could state truthfully that I played the lead or slide on Tuesday's Gone. If you don't know the tune, buy the record.
About four winters ago, I was stranded in a hotel bar in Cleveland because of a snow storm. In walks Leland Melvin, and old friend of mine. We order a bottle of Scotch and I figure I'm in for a great night of reminiscing about back in the day,.... Anyway, a hot blonde and her fat friend sit alongside us and ask what we do. Leland says, "Oh, I play a little piano."
Then the fat chick looks at me, as I'm the better looking of the two of us, and says adoringly, "What about you?".
I say, "Well, I play a little guitar".
The blonde asks, "That's it?".
Leland adds, "I used to play in the NFL", which pissed me off.
After several drinks, when it got to that point when the blonde had her hand on Leland's thigh and was goo-goo eying me, Leland states, "Did I mention I used to be an astronaut (just to seal the deal)?"
The next morning at the breakfast buffet I told Leland, "If I would have told the girls I was the one who played piano on Tuesday's Gone, you would have been the one who laid the chubbster". He laughed out loud.
Why I thought of Billy while overlooking sausages, bacon, and eggs, I don't know, but his presence will be missed.
Ron The Mon
Needle-Freak
Posted on: 02 February 2009 by The Strat (Fender)
I first saw LS at Knebworth in 76 when they blew the Stones away - then saw them at the Rainbow which was simply one of the greatest gigs I ever saw. Billy was just so essential to their music.
RIP Southern Man.
RIP Southern Man.
Posted on: 02 February 2009 by Wolf2
Great story Ron, a wonderful memory for sure.
I have a friend who was a producer for Delos Records in classical only. His pianist he was recording at Capitol Records left her VERY expensive piano in the studio. Leon Russell's crew came in and they were going to move it. Her lover draped herself across it and shouted "Don't touch it," He said "come on lady I"ve moved Alice Cooper's piano" she replied "I don't care WHO SHE IS don't touch it." John said, "ah Alice in a man" she said quieter, "well, whoever he is."
John just laughs at that lesbian in charge of the piano and all the rockers coming in. It must have been quite a scene.
That said my favorite movie is "Almost Famous" Life on the road.
I have a friend who was a producer for Delos Records in classical only. His pianist he was recording at Capitol Records left her VERY expensive piano in the studio. Leon Russell's crew came in and they were going to move it. Her lover draped herself across it and shouted "Don't touch it," He said "come on lady I"ve moved Alice Cooper's piano" she replied "I don't care WHO SHE IS don't touch it." John said, "ah Alice in a man" she said quieter, "well, whoever he is."
John just laughs at that lesbian in charge of the piano and all the rockers coming in. It must have been quite a scene.
That said my favorite movie is "Almost Famous" Life on the road.