I'm as big a Skynyrd fan as there is... been so since the 70's. And I'm also NOT one of the people who bashes the current band or lineup in any way. If anything, I like to hear what the new members of the band can bring to the table to put their own spin on the band's music.

I saw Skynyrd for the first time in a couple of years a couple of weeks ago at Shoreline. Great show and this band still has it as far as putting on a live show is concerned. I know a lot of people gripe about the setlist, and I'd agree I'd prefer to see more variety in it, but what Skynyrd does is no different than what most "classic" rock bands do -- play what the majority wanna see.

I was particularly curious to see how Peter Keys would fit in, because to me, Billy's keyboard playing was a big part of the Skynyrd sound. Maybe something was wrong technically, or he was having an off night, but he sounded pretty awful to me, and I hate saying that. His playing sounded completely off-key almost all night and was a pretty big distraction to me. The last time I saw Skynyrd a couple of years ago, Billy couldn't make it, I think for hip surgery if I recall, and they had someone else filling in, and while he didn't emulate Billy's style as much, he at least sounded on-key. I hope I'm just missing the boat here but I'm curious what other people's reaction to Peter's playing is.

I think the problem is that we are used to seeing one of the greatest piano players of all time in Billy Powell who played on a Grand Piano with tough keys that put off a very full piano sound. Peter plays on a keyboard and its not as full of a sound. Also hes just not quite the player Billy was. Not saying that he isn't great, just saying Billy was a few steps above what he is.

@roadfatigue: I'm talking about as far as studio recording/ live sound goes. But I thought I did remember Peter saying when he first came to the band that he can't play a Grand on stage yet like Billy does/did. He would have to play electric until he got used to it. I SWARE I heard that somewhere and thats what I was basing it off of. I just don't know where I heard it.

PETER IS ONE HELL OF A PIANO PLAYER AND HE DID A BANGUP JOB TWICE IN NEW JERSY AND IF WOULDNT HAVE KNOWN BETTER WOULD OF THOUGHT BP WAS PLAYN! MUST OF BEEN BAD SOUND AT THE SHORELINE OR SOMETHING WAS NOT HIS FAULTKEEP DOING WHAT YA DO PETE YOUR SKYNYRD ALL THE WAY!

The first time RF and I heard Peter play was at the Mississippi Kid Festival a couple weeks before Ean passed away. We both commented that had we not known Billy Powell was not there, we wouldn't have known the difference. Since that time, we've seen Peter play a great number of times, and yes-he does change it up a bit whether due to inexperience or talent, but overall I would give him a big 9!!

Peter is a fantastic down-to-earth gentleman who really is a joy to talk to.

The first thing you have to realize is Peter is no where near the caliber of player that Billy was. Peter's job is to duplicate the sound of the best rock n roll keyboard player of all time. That's a near impossible task. It's not that Peter is so bad, it's that Billy was so good. There will never be another Billy Powell, but Peter is a good fit IMO. I've chatted with him on 2 occasions on facebook (which he checks and responds on frequently) and he is psyched to be in skynyrd. Instead of talking about himself like most musicians would do, he talked about Billy nearly the entire time. I hope Peter stays with Skynyrd until the name is laid to rest. I have respect for Peter, which is more than I can say about some of the others in the current line-up.

My $.02 is there is no duplicating Billy, hell IMO his riffs on The Breeze was/is the best rock piano I've ever heard. I'm sure the band felt Peter was the best fill in they could find and that's OK wyth me, but Billy was the best and I sho' do miss his sound.

J Dawg

I don't have anything against Ean but once Gary dies I don't know what Ean is gonna do in the Lynyrd Skynyrd Heaven Band. I guess he can play lead right now though. Allen, Steve and Ean.

No beef with the new guys. I just wish they'd call Billy's widow just ONCE to talk to her and check in. It's pretty low of them to not send flowers or take 5 minutes to make a phone call. Hell, it's pretty sad when Kid Rock sends her flowers on her birthday and no one from "skynyrd" makes an effort.

@ LynSkyn81: Everyone dies sometime man. Everyone has a time. I was just thinking about reuniting the Magnificent Seven thats all.

=LynSkyn1981 said:

=ls-skynyrdrocks88 said:I have respect for Peter, which is more than I can say about some of the others in the current line-up.

Sparky is one hell down to earth guy, he can play the blues on a strat like you never heard before, alot better attitude and great personality than any "King", in my opinion.