It’s not often that you hear about the keyboard players in a band. It’s not usually thought of as a sexy instrument. But there have been some players out there who have changed the game, and influenced so many musicians. You can never forget Jon Lord, Ken Hensley, Rick Wakeman, Elton John...and someone who deserves more credit was born on this day in 1952: William Norris Powell.
He was born not far from here, in Corpus Christi, spent some of his childhood in Italy, and then moved to Florida.
He met future Skynyrd bass player Leon Wilkeson in elementary school, and they became lifelong friends.
When Billy took piano lessons, his teacher told him he didn’t need a teacher, he was a natural, and picked things up on his own. He briefly went to a community college, studying music theory.
He began to roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970, and the band didn’t realized his skills until they heard him play a piano during a break at a prom at Bolles School. He was immediately offered the job on keys in the band.
Billy was one of the few people who survived the plane crash, and was the first to be released from the hospital, which allowed him to attend the funerals for his fallen friend and bandmates.
After the crash, billy joined a Christian rock band called Vision, and recorded 3 albums with the band, touring and playing until he rejoined Skynyrd in 1987 for a tribute tour. He stayed with the band until he passed away on January 28, 2009, at the age of 56.
We miss you, Billy, but thank you for all the awesome music you were part of for all those decades!