Death raises question about Skynyrd's future

The future of Lynyrd Skynyrd is uncertain after the death Wednesday of longtime keyboard player Billy Powell, who joined the band in 1972 after coming up with the piano introduction to their anthem, "Free Bird."

Guitarist Gary Rossington is now the only member of Skynyrd's current lineup who also played on the Jacksonville band's 1973 debut album, "Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd." The group's co-manager said those involved with the band will meet and "collectively" decide what the next step should be.

Larkin Collins, father of original guitarist Allen Collins, has control of the Lynyrd Skynyrd name along with Rossington and Judy Van Zant Jenness, widow of original lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. He said he expects a decision in three or four weeks.

"I can't say it's over," he said. "It depends on Gary. As far as I'm concerned, if Gary wants to stay out on that stage, then we'll try to help him."

Orange Park Police Chief James Boivin said Powell called 911 from his condo in Club Continental at 12:57 a.m. complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath. He was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m. after rescue crews performed CPR on him. Powell, who had a history of heart problems, had made an appointment with his heart specialist Tuesday but never made it to the appointment, according to the police report. A heart attack is suspected.

Powell, who survived the band's 1977 plane crash with serious injuries, was 56. In 2006, he and the band were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The group's co-manager Ross Schilling said Wednesday that it's too early to decide what will happen to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss that at this point," Schilling said. "The band will get together, the estates will get together, and the decision will be made collectively what to do. We're talking about human beings and lives and families; I think everyone's very civil to each other in the organization — associates and partners and friends and families. They'll get together, and that will be a private discussion."

The band regrouped in 1987, 10 years after the crash that killed Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister, vocalist Cassie Gaines, as well as an assistant road manager, the pilot and co-pilot.

Collins — whose son Allen died of pneumonia in 1990 — said the band got back together with an agreement that it could be named Lynyrd Skynyrd if three original band members were in the lineup.

After the death of bassist Leon Wilkeson in 2001, that requirement was lowered to two. He said it's possible the agreement could be changed to let Rossington carry on as the only original member.

"Without an original band member, I've got my doubts," he said. "We're not going to turn it loose to nobody who would ruin the name, let it get out there and have no respect for the name."

Rossington's wife, Dale, reached at their North Georgia home, said her husband was too distraught Wednesday to come to the phone. "We're just lost," she said, fighting back tears.

She said band members had long been worried about Powell's health. "But he had such a big huge heart of gold, such a huge abiding faith in God and his savior Jesus," she said.

Current Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Johnny Van Zant, younger brother of Ronnie, said he was too upset over Powell's death to figure out what happens next with the band.

"That's really the last thought in my head," he said. "I've given 22 years to the band and hope to do it for another 22."

He said the band took the news of Powell's death hard.

"You know, they say they've got one hell of a band up in heaven. My brother Ronnie up in heaven is probably saying, 'Billy, what took you so long?' I'm sure they're catching up on things in heaven."

Powell, who went to Bishop Kenny High School, joined Skynyrd in 1972 after working for the Jacksonville band for a couple of years as a roadie. Johnny Van Zant said his brother invited Powell to join the band after he heard him playing piano during a rehearsal of "Free Bird."

"Ronnie said, 'What's that?' and Billy said, 'That's the introduction to 'Free Bird.' Ronnie said, 'I like that. You're in the band.' "

The piano introduction to the song became a highly anticipated part of the band's live show, though Johnny Van Zant said Powell was sometimes reluctant to jump into the spotlight with it.

"He'd say, 'I don't want to do that, I'm embarrassed to do that,' " said Van Zant. "I'd make him do it: I'd say, 'Come on, it'll make their night.' It made mine."

Marley Brant, author of the book "Freebirds: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story," said the classically trained Powell was often overlooked by those wowed by the band's three-guitar attack. "I don't believe he has been properly recognized for his exceptional talent," she said. "I can't imagine Skynyrd without Billy Powell."

Tommy Harrison, associate professor of music at Jacksonville University, said Powell's role in Lynyrd Skynyrd "helped define American Southern rock in the 1970s. It was Billy's piano playing that give it its own honky tonk flavor and helped propel it, particularly on 'Sweet Home Alabama.' "

Harrison also noted that Powell's piano playing was sampled on one of the biggest hits of 2008, Kid Rock's "All Summer Long."

Earlier this month, Powell and the band took a four-day cruise, called the Simple Man Cruise, on a ship out of Miami with "4,000 crazy Skynyrd fans," Van Zant said.

The band had recorded several songs for a new album and had upcoming gigs in Louisiana, Mississippi and Orlando. They will be canceled, he said.

"We've got to lay our brother to rest," Van Zant said. "That old saying, the show must go on, always counts. Unless you die."

Powell was married to Ellen Vera Powell and had four children.

"For me," Van Zant said, "if anybody reading your article wants to do something, say a prayer for Billy and his family. That would be greatly appreciated."