Skynyrd’s Peter Keys Offers Inside Look Into The Studio In 2013

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When Billy Powell passed away in January 2009, Lynyrd Skynyrd was left with a big position to fill. Billy was Skynyrd’s loyal keyboard and piano player since 1970, and his absence was felt by everyone in the group.

No one else had ever played keyboard for Skynyrd before. So the group knew that they had to find one truly talented musician that would be capable of honoring Billy’s legacy.

They found that musician in Peter Keys.

Kid Rock was the one who brought Peter to the group’s attention, and they invited him in for an audition. When Peter came in, he was able to play every song that the Skynyrd guys threw at him.

As lead singer Johnny Van Zant and guitarists Rickey Medlocke and Gary Rossington explained in a video interview, all of the previous people they auditioned complained at some point during the process. But Peter didn’t, and that stuck out to the guys.

Needless to say, Peter got the gig, and he’s been with Skynyrd ever since.

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You can catch him at the corner of the stage whenever Skynyrd performs, jamming out on the keys and honoring Billy with every note.

But the video we have for you below shows a different view of Peter…the studio view. Back in 2013, Peter was kind enough to film a short insider’s look at his session in Skynyrd’s studio. The video shows Peter lighting his keys on fire, as he puts down the musical framework for another great song.

Tune in below to check out the video. You’ll be glad you did!