Billy Powell

Billy Powell

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Powell grew up in a military family (his father was in the U.S. Navy) and spent several years of his childhood living in Italy where his father was stationed. After his father died of cancer in 1960, he moved with his family back to the United States and settled in Jacksonville, Florida. He met his lifelong friend, Leon Wilkeson in elementary school. Billy's interest in piano began to grow and he began taking piano lessons from a local teacher named Madalyn Brown. She swore he did not need her, claiming that Billy was a natural and picked things up well on his own. When it was time for high school, his mother enrolled Billy and his brother, Ricky at Sanford Naval Academy in Sanford, FL. Billy returned to Jacksonville where he enrolled at Bishop Kenny High School. When he graduated in 1970, he enrolled briefly in a community college, majoring in Music Theory. Around this time he found work as a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Billy remained a member of the Skynyrd crew for two years (which included, amongst the grittier shows, highlights such as Skynyrd landing a support slot for Leslie West's "Mountain") In his second year with them, 1972, Skynyrd played one particular gig, a show at the Bolles school prom. After his usual routine working with Kevin Elson, Billy had time to rest for a short while. In the corner he spotted a piano, so Billy went over and sat down with it. Just fooling around, Billy launches into his piano based version of Freebird for the boys in the band to listen to. Ronnie, astonished at his roadies hitherto secret ability said 'You mean to tell me, you've been playing the piano like that and you've been workin' for us for a year....'. Billy replied, "Well, you know, I've been classically trained most of my life.' He was then told Skynyrd were looking for a keyboard man, and Billy was in! In 1973, Lynyrd Skynyrd was signed to MCA Records and received national exposure with the release of their first album,(pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd). The band's popularity soared in 1974 with their follow-up album, Second Helping, which featured their highest-charting single, "Sweet Home Alabama". The band enjoyed great popularity over the next three years, culminating in the 1977 release of Street Survivors, which many considered to be their strongest effort to date. However, three days after the release of Street Survivors, Skynyrd's chartered plane crashed into a forest near McComb, Mississippi. The crash took the lives of singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, his sister and backing vocalistCassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, and both pilots. The remainder of the band suffered injuries ranging from mild to severe. Powell suffered severe facial lacerations, almost completely losing his nose but was otherwise relatively uninjured. He was the first to be released from the hospital, and the only member able to attend the funerals of his fallen band-mates. Powell rejoined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987 for a tribute tour, and remained with the band until his death. Guitarist Gary Rossington is the only member from the classic lineup who continues to record and perform with the band today .On January 28, 2009, the keyboardist died from an apparent heart attack at the age of 56 at his home in Orange Park, Florida.

  • Title : Billy Powell
  • Popularity : 0.559
  • Known For : Acting
  • Birthday : 1952-06-03
  • Place of Birth : Corpus Christi, Texas
  • Homepage :
  • Also Known As :
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Billy Powell Movies

  • 1996
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird, The Movie & Tribute Tour

    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird, The Movie & Tribute Tour

    7.4 1996 HD

    See classic live performances, interviews and vintage footage of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd band.

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  • 1975
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd: The Old Grey Whistle Test

    Lynyrd Skynyrd: The Old Grey Whistle Test

    8.5 1975 HD

    Bob Harris presents a concert by the southern rockers, recorded in Shepherd's Bush, London for Old Grey Whistle Test on November 11th, 1975.

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  • 1976
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd: Live at Winterland 1976

    Lynyrd Skynyrd: Live at Winterland 1976

    8 1976 HD

    Lynyrd Skynyrd took to the stage at Winterland Arena in San Francisco, CA on March 7th, 1976, while the band was in the midst of promoting their new...

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  • 2018
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    If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd

    If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd

    7.8 2018 HD

    The story of Lynyrd Skynyrd; The Greatest American Rock Band Ever. We fly beyond Free Bird to celebrate the life & times of leader Ronnie Van Zant,...

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  • 2008
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Live from Freedom Hall

    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Live from Freedom Hall

    8.5 2008 HD

    One of the last concerts to be recorded with longtime members Billy Powell and Ean Evans, both of whom passed away in 2009. Track-listing: 1. Main...

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  • 1996
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd: Live at Rockpalast

    Lynyrd Skynyrd: Live at Rockpalast

    7 1996 HD

    A concert shot for the Rockpalast show on the Loreley Festival on June 23, 1996. As a special treat for the fans, the bonus material include three of...

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  • 1987
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Tribute Tour

    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Tribute Tour

    8 1987 HD

    The Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour was a tour that was undertaken to pay tribute to the original band members who died in a plane crash in 1977. The...

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  • 1999
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd: Lyve from Steel Town

    Lynyrd Skynyrd: Lyve from Steel Town

    3.8 1999 HD

    Recorded and filmed on July 15, 1997, at Star Lake Coca-Cola Amphitheatre, Burgettstown, PA Songs include: Sweet Home Alabama, Freebird, Saturday...

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  • 2003
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd: The Vicious Cycle Tour

    Lynyrd Skynyrd: The Vicious Cycle Tour

    9 2003 HD

    The Vicious Cycle Tour was a live tour celebrating Lynyrd Skynyrd's 30 years of being a group. The recording is from The Amsouth Amphitheater In...

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  • 2021
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd: Live at Knebworth '76

    Lynyrd Skynyrd: Live at Knebworth '76

    8.5 2021 HD

    On August 21st, 1976, Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage at Knebworth Park in England as part of a daylong festival that also included among others Todd...

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  • 2006
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    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Live in Atlantic City

    Lynyrd Skynyrd - Live in Atlantic City

    8 2006 HD

    Newly mixed and mastered, Live in Atlantic City celebrates the legend that is Lynyrd Skynyrd in an energetic 70 minute show. Featuring special guest...

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  • 1997
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    Behind the Music

    Behind the Music

    7 1997 HD

    An intimate look into the personal lives of pop music's greatest and most influential artists.

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  • 2002
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    CMT Crossroads

    CMT Crossroads

    8.3 2002 HD

    Country music stars collaborate with performers from other musical genres and exchange stories about their mutual love for music.

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