2009 Soap Box Archives

Another Fallen Brother

I've always felt that there's a special bond between people who make their living playing music on the road. A bond of understanding the road life and all it entails, a bond of loving the music we play and admiration for the others who burn the midnight oil running up and down the highways of America.

It's a big business but each band has their own little world of bands you tour with and special friends you have shared your professional life with and when that world is reduced by just one person it leaves a hole.

I got word this morning that Billy Powell, one of the original members of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, passed away from a heart attack today around 1AM. (1/28/09)

Billy was an exceptionally talented piano player and all the fresh and inventive keyboard parts we've enjoyed on their records for all these years have been created and played by Billy.

My heart goes out to Gary, Dale, Ricky and Sparky, the crew and families of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band. They've suffered so many heartaches over the years.

We all remember the plane crash that claimed the lives of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve and Cassie Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick and the pilots.

Some years later Allen Collins passed away, then Leon Wilkerson and now Billy.

I would just like for the surviving members to know that the hearts of us, your brothers of the road, go out to you. And speaking for myself, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families during this trying time.

God Bless the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band.

With love and condolences.

Pray for our troops.

What do you think?

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

 

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