Cozy Powell

Recognized among England’s finest percussionists and constantly sought after for both rock and pop sessions, Cozy Powell earned near-mythic status through a thunderous, forceful approach that adapted readily to diverse rock settings—whether the booming productions overseen by Mickie Most, the classic lineups of Black Sabbath, the short-lived supergroup Emerson, Lake & Powell, or his own recordings, most prominently the 1973 major English hit “Dance with the Devil.”

He launched his professional career in 1965 alongside the Sorcerers and later contributed to projects fronted by Jeff Beck following the guitarist’s departure from the Yardbirds. Powell assembled Bedlam in 1971 yet soon stepped away from the band to focus on standalone singles, again including “Dance with the Devil.” He next assembled Cozy Powell’s Hammer, a unit that disbanded in 1975. After a short hiatus he entered Rainbow, supplying the group with its characteristically weighty rhythm section until his departure in 1980 after four albums spanning four years. Perpetual demand for his services prompted an ongoing pattern of session dates interspersed with stints in acts such as the Michael Schenker Group, Whitesnake, and Black Sabbath, none of which retained him for extended periods.

During 1996 he supported former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green on the long-awaited comeback tour. At the time of his death on April 5, 1998, Powell was recovering from a foot injury that had prevented him from touring with guitarist Yngvie Malmsteen. While driving toward Bristol on the M4 Motorway he apparently lost control amid poor weather conditions and struck the central barrier; he succumbed to his injuries several hours afterward in hospital.