Billy Powell, the original keyboard player with the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died early Wednesday at his Orange Park home.Orange Park police said Powell called 911 just before 1 a.m. complaining of difficulty breathing.In 1977, Van Zant, along with guitarist Steve Gaines, his sister, and backup vocalist Cassie Gaines and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick were killed when the band's chartered plane crashed in Mississippi. The pilot and co-pilot also died.
Powell played in a Christian band for several years, then rejoined Skynyrd for a tribute tour in 1987 and has toured with the band ever since. He and guitarist Gary Rossington were the only two original band members who continued to record and tour with the band.
