According to the Associated Press, Powell called 911 around 12:55 a.m. this morning, saying he was having trouble breathing. Rescue crews arrived at the home but Powell was pronounced dead just before 2 a.m.
Powell survived the plane crash that killed three of his bandmates and their manager. At the time, it was the end of the line for Lynyrd Skynyrd, but Powell persevered, continuing to play music in various other bands.When surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited in 1987, with fallen frontman Ronnie Van Zant’s younger brother Johnny heading up the band, Powell signed on. He was an integral part of the reunited band and remained solid as such, straight on until now.
According to the band’s publicist, as-yet-unspecified shows will be canceled due to Powell’s death. The band was slated to perform Jan. 30 in Kinder, La., and the following day in Biloxi, Miss. A European tour was set to begin May 20 in Finland.