Cozy Powell

A Tribute to Cozy Powell
29 December 1947 - 5 April 1998



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Ten years ago a shock went through the music world Cozy Powell, aged 50, died on April 5, 1998 following a car crash He was driving his Saab 9000 in bad weather on the M4 motorway near Bristol, while talking to his girlfriend on his mobile phone The devestating news shocked the world Now 10 years later we look back on the carreer of Cozy Powell is one of the most prolific drummers in the business His CV runs like a Who's Who of rock, with stints as a fully paid up member of Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Whitesnake, M.S.G and the ELP spin-off Emerson, Lake & Powell Then there are those legendary guest appearances - with everyone from Donovan to Roger Daltrey, Jack Bruce to Jeff Beck and Gary Moore to Brian May.

His career not only spans three decades, it's also one of the most diverse in rock In the 1960's, Cozy was a member of the Ace Kefford Stand; in the 70's he was a session drummer for Mickie Most's RAK label, which made Cozy a household name with the Dance With the Devil single; and in 1991, he turned up on Comic Relief's No 1 single, "The Stonk", with comedians Hale & Pace!

Since then Cozy joined Brian May on a Jimi Hendrix tribute album, and supported the legendary Peter Green on his comeback Most recently, sessions with Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest), Brian May (new album) and Yngwie Malmsteen, the last two with tours, have seen Cozy Powell back to his busiest and perhaps, his best.

There were serious talks about a Rainbow reunion featuring Ritchie Blackmore, Cozy Powell and Ronnie James Dio at the time Cozy's death was also the end of a possible reunion.

Cozy, who lived at Lambourn in Berkshire, died after his car crash before he arrived at Frechay Hospital in Bristol His last words were "Oh Shit".

There was a Cozy Powell tribute planned for the Classics in Rock concert in Rotterdam on April 12 The plan was to play a video of Cozy's drumsolo with the symphonic orchestra playing along Joe Lynn Turner, Doogie White, Neil Murray and many other big names were on the bill together with an symphonic orchestra Unfortunately the concert has been cancelled due to poor ticketsales Rumour said they only sold 3300 tickets of the 8 or 9 thousand the Ahoy Hall put on sale This was about two weeks before the show and the promoters then cancelled it, earlier this week on April 1, because of expected financial losses.

Dedicated Cozy Powell fans have arranged a meeting in a bar in Ealing, West London on Sunday April 6, 2008 Don Airey will be joining them.



Cozy Powell
R.I.P