posted under music by jay

Billy Powell who was the keyboard player for Lynyrd Skynyrd died early Wednesday morning at the age of 56. He apparently died of heart problems in his home in Orange Park, Fla.

The shocking part of this whole story is the fact that he called police for assistance and told them he was feeling dizzy and was having a tough time breathing. But by the time police reached his home, they found Powell on in his bedroom knocked out and not breathing by his telephone. They tried to revive him with CPR but did not respond to it.

He was pronounced dead nearly an hour after making the phone call to police.

Now, the cause of his death is yet to be determined but the police thinks it was some heart-related issues. According to the chief of Florida police, Powell was supposed to visit a heart doctor earlier in the week but never showed up. They also mentioned the doctor said he had heart problems.

Billy Powell was a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd until 1972 before the lead singer of the group hired him as the groups keyboardist.

Powell’s survivors include his wife and four children.

No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.