Hello,
It was very great to find the link to the tribute made by me :) and I’m very touched by its description!
Cozy Powell
Updated 1-2-08
I first met Cozy Powell backstage at Carnegie Hall, in 1972, when he was a member of the second incarnation of the Jeff Beck Group. A couple of guy friends had press passes and they kindly invited me to visit the Inner Sanctum of the dressing rooms. Everybody else flocked around Beck. I wanted to meet his amazing drummer.
Cozy stood there, all in black, wearing these astonishing silver boots. I complimented him on how flash they looked, which made him grin. That broke the ice and we chatted for a bit. Such a gentleman, but very intense. I got a nice hug and a cheek smooch before he took off out the door. Cozy was a wonderful guy, very charismatic, and yes, I had a mad crush on him for years afterward.
Cozy Powell was a dark and dangerous-looking cat. He had the most impressive drum kit I’d ever seen, and he beat the living shit out of it. Aside from Keith Moon, I never saw anybody play with that much energy. But Cozy was a better musician than Moon, a serious and versatile drummer who played with extreme power and precision; he was one of the first double-bass drummers and holds the world record for speed drumming, set live on British TV, by playing 400 drums in 1 minute flat.
“I drive like I drum - madly.” — Cozy Powell
Sadly, Cozy was killed on April 5, 1998, in a high-speed car wreck.
A Formula Three race car driver who lived for speed, Cozy was going 90-100 mph at the time of the crash. Ironically and horribly, he was talking on the phone with his lady, Shari, who told police that she heard a loud noise, then Cozy said, “Oh shit.” After that, silence. Cozy Powell had lost control of his Saab 9000.
According to an off-duty police officer, the car “cartwheeled” several times on the M4, near Bristol, before landing on its roof. Some BBC news sources reported that Cozy was killed instantly, others claim he was taken to hospital, where he subsequently died from his injuries. The rock world was stunned at the loss.
~~~~~~
Cozy, you are Legend.
No one compares, though many have learned from you.
R.I.P. in Rock’s Valhalla, Dark Hero
~~~~~~
LIVE Clips of Cozy Powell (feel the thunder):
Cozy Powell Drum Solo: “1812 Overture” (with Rainbow)
Cozy Powell Drum Solo: “Dance with the Devil” (Thanks to sarahrocks06)
Cozy Powell with Rainbow: “Kill the King” (Live in Munich, 1977)
Cozy Powell with Rainbow: “Man on the Silver Mountain” (Live in Munich, 1977)
Cozy Powell with Rainbow: “Sixteenth Century Greensleeves” (Live in Munich, 1977)
Cozy Powell with Jeff Beck Group: “Definitely Maybe” (1972) [I include this clip for its sentimental value; it was recorded around the time that I met Cozy in New York City.]
Cozy Powell Solo with Whitesnake (Japan 1984)
Cozy Powell : 28 blazing seconds
Cozy Powell with Gary Moore: “Back On The Streets” (1978)
Emerson Lake & Powell: From the Beginning (Detroit 1986) Cozy on percussion
Videos:
Cozy Powell with Black Sabbath: “Feels Good to Me” (video)
Cozy Powell with Whitesnake: “Here I Go Again” (original version) From “Saints and Sinners” 1982 (video)
TV/Specials:
Cozy Powell TV Special (Cozy plays drums with a 9-year-old boy he found in a talent search. Run time about 8.47 minutes.) (Thanks to amsterhamster!)
Cozy Powell on Record Breakers TV Show: 400 drums in 1 minute
Emerson Lake & Powell on MTV Guest VeeJays (1986)
Tributes:
Brian May Tribute to Cozy Powell (April 1998) “Strange how soon the party’s over” / “God…we loved him…” A wonderfully touching tribute ‘from one friend to another’. (Run time 9.47 min.) (A massive thank you to JeannyQueenRocks for this beauty!)
Another World - Tribute to Cozy Powell (Song by Brian May - lovely mix of live and still images of Cozy.) (A heartfelt thank you to SuzElpy!)
Cozy Powell Valhalla Tribute: Audio - Black Sabbath, with images of Norse mythology and of Cozy (Thanks to FantomasAFC)
Cozy Powell Braveheart Tribute: Audio - Braveheart, with images of Cozy
(Thanks to FantomasAFC)
Cozy Powell Seven Long Years Tribute (Audio: Bedlam, Seven Long Years)
(Thanks to FantomasAFC)
Cozy Powell Anno Mundi Tribute: Audio - Black Sabbath, with images of Cozy
Project 2007: Happy Birthday Cozy Powell (60th Birthday Tribute page) by Suzanna, a musician in her own right, and a wonderful person. Among other things, Suzanna has compiled the 60 best songs featuring Cozy’s drumming! Must see!!
Interviews:
Still Going Strong: an interview with Cozy Powell, by Petra van Kasteren, from Aardschok Magazine (Spring 1995).
Links:
Cozy Powell.com (Website Cozy created in 1997)
Cozy Powell (Wikipedia bio/CV/discography/drum kit descriptions)
Cozy Powell Legend (Mayniacs.com)
NOTE: 11-2-07: I am in the process of adding attributions for the links I’ve included from YouTube. Please bear with me. If you see yours, feel free to leave a comment and point it out. Best, Morgan
Responses
By: ELPy on November 2, 2007
at 12:54 pm
I just gave you credit and linked to your YouTube user name, ELPy. Please know that I’m glad that you found this page, and me.
I must tell you that I still have trouble viewing that clip without weeping. However, your tribute is a wonderful reminder of hope, to those of us who are left behind. For I (and we) must believe that Cozy lives on in ‘Another World.’ It’s the only way we can continue on without grief, once the brightest and most beautiful leave us, and take their place among the stars.
Again, my deepest gratitude for your artistry.
Many Blessings,
Morgan Wolf
By: Morgan Wolf on November 2, 2007
at 3:11 pm
Dear Morgan,
Thank you for your response! I’ve read your thoughts of Cozy again. Your words of him made me understand one more time that he was not only wonderful drummer but wonderful guy! If you permit me I’ll translate your words and put them to my website about Cozy. I still can’t finish its English version, but I’ll try :)
I remember the night I met Ronnie James Dio when he was in Kiev with his gig. My friends and I, we’re waiting for him near the hotel during 2 hours! Ronnie was very kind to us and gave us the most sincere smile I’ve ever seen! Then everyone of us received his autograph, and I made him a present - a disc with some amateur tracks recorded by my band (which no longer exists). One of the songs was dedicated to Cozy Powell, and I told Ronnie about this. At the same moment we saw the deep sadness in his eyes. He couldn’t find any word to say. He stood looking somewhere. It was just a moment of silence which was enough for me to understand that Ronnie isn’t one of many people who only tell about “the deepest love” to Cozy. His love is true… Dio pushed my gift to his heart and said: “This one will be the most valuable thing I’ll take from here!”
Sure, I never met Cozy but sometimes, when I read different words of him, it seems to me I knew him for a long time, I felt his kindness and cheerfulness, saw his blinding smile… that’s why I’m free to say: I miss him!
He lives in his music, it’s eternal.
I was very glad to find this page and to see your feelings to Cozy!
Best, Suzanna
By: ELPy on November 3, 2007
at 5:33 pm
Dear Suzanna,
Thank you for sharing a wonderful story about meeting Ronnie James Dio. I think I understand why he was silent when you told him about the song dedication. Cozy’s death was terribly hard on his friends and fellow musicians. I’m sure it is difficult for them even now, all these years later. I only knew him slightly, but I sometimes cry if I see a video of him playing drums, or talking like he is still alive! Cozy was really vibrant, magnetic, and yes, he had a blinding smile. It was like being in front of the sun.
You may translate my words, of course. When we think of Cozy or listen to his drumming, we celebrate his life and his gift to music. This is a good thing!
If you care to read it, I wrote the following story about Cozy and an old friend who was there the night we met. It’s sad, I warn you! RE: The Grief of Autumn
Blessings,
Morgan
By: Morgan Wolf on November 4, 2007
at 5:12 am
Dear Morgan,
I read your story, and I must confess I couldn’t read it without tears. It’s really sad and painful… I’m very sorry about your friend!
However, you were right saying “When we think of Cozy… we celebrate his life”. I think these words are true concerning not only Cozy but everyone who lives in another world! I also remember the words sung by Greg Lake - “There’s no end to my life, no beginning to my death. Death is life”.
Yes, all they live in better world and in our memories…
About Cozy again… It was the 9th anniversary, and that day I asked my friends: “Where do the great people pass?” One of my closest friends said: “They don’t pass at all, we just can’t see them, and they are watching over us - sometimes happily, sometimes sadly…” Great words I think, specially from the mouth of the 20 years-old guy!
Now I’d like to show you one of my songs dedicated to Cozy. I composed this one on October, 2006. This is the acoustic version but I’m gonna make the full, with keys, bass and flute (my friends promised to help me). Here is it: My Never-Known (Now The Time Has Come)
…When I think about that accident I can’t imagine something terrible. I only see his smile and his eyes of life. My imagination can’t (or doesn’t want) show me that blood-stained face and lifeless body… I always see the angel in black who leaves the car and flies up to the sky… Maybe my imagination wants to ease this cruelty of real world…
However, he’s still with us till we remember him. Our memory is the life of everyone who passes away, and specially it’s the life of people like Cozy.
Sincerely your,
Suzanna.
By: ELPy on November 5, 2007
at 5:21 pm
Dear Suzanna,
I love how you say this: “I always see the angel in black who leaves the car and flies up to the sky…” Yes! A beautiful angel.
As you can see I was very depressed when I wrote that story. Thank you for saying you are sorry. I miss my friend very much.
I will listen to your song now. Good luck with it.
You seem a lovely person.
Blessings,
Morgan
PS: I just played your song, Suzanna. How gorgeous! You have a talent for writing and singing. It was very good and I am honored that you let me hear it. Will you make a YouTube video some day?
I’m so glad you wrote again!
By: Morgan Wolf on November 6, 2007
at 5:42 am
Dear Morgan,
I’m glad to know you found my song gorgeous. Thank you for saying this! As I told you before, my friends promised me to help with recording of it’s full version. I don’t know how soon it will be, but I’ll let you know about this.
You asked me about YouTube video. I’m gonna make something else, all I need is to find some time and inspiration. I have an idea of new video, and I hope to realize it soon. Now I can share with you the piece of my band’s live performing. It was the festival dedicated to ELP organized by young musicians, and it was one of the last gigs of Hard Day’s Night (my band called so). Here we play “Touch And Go” by Emerson, Lake and Powell. I think our drummer’s playing seems looking like Cozy’s.
Those were great times for me and my bandmates, and I couldn’t get my feet back on the ground for a long time since Hard Day’s Night has been broken away. Though I have a new band now, I still miss my guys - HDN was my first band and first experience…
You made me shy saying I seem a lovely person and I’m happy to know you’re glad I write you! I tell you once more, I was happy to find you page!
Cheers,
Suzanna
By: ELPy on November 6, 2007
at 8:06 am
Ha! I loved it. (The comments were fun to read, as well.) Very good base line and vocals - organ work outstanding. Love the bashing cymbals. I can see the drummer was inspired by Cozy.
Good going, Suz. Can’t wait to see the next video. Say hello to Varya. It’s good that you still work together. It takes time to build rapport.
Cheers,
Morgan
By: Morgan Wolf on November 7, 2007
at 8:40 pm
Dear Morgan,
Sorry for not writing. I was offline rehearsing with Rising (my band) and working with some home records. One of the songs I work with may be a soundtrack to a new video (I don’t except this :))
I’m also gonna make a web-project to Cozy’s 60th Birthday on my site about him. I think there’ll be one part dedicated to ELPowell years (including this stuff (I finally translated it to Russian!), then I’d like to make my own compilation “60 bests” (60 best songs with Cozy’s drumming; it isn’t easy to choose them!), and… the other part of this web-project is my little secret which will be discovered before Cozy’s Birthday :)
I’d like to know some songs with his drumming which you think they are the best, it will help me form the compilation ;)
I’ll be waiting for your reply!
Blessings, Suzanna
P.S. Concerning rapport in the band - we’ve built it from the start, and I’m very happy because of this! My present bandmates are good guys, and I hope we’ll stay together for a long time.
By: ELPy on November 13, 2007
at 8:23 pm
Hi Suzanna,
Glad to see you back. I’ve been busy, too.
It’s hard to pick Cozy’s best work, but I’ll think on it. I liked his work with Jeff Beck - it was very jazzy and interesting. I loved the Bedlam album but I guess I liked his drumming with Rainbow.
‘The 1812 Overture’ is my favorite performance piece, if that helps. ‘Dance with the Devil’ is fabulous, also. I”ll look over some of Cozy’s videos and let you know. Nice idea for a tribute: his 60th birthday.
Good luck with your new band!
Blessings, Morgan
By: Morgan Wolf on November 14, 2007
at 8:32 pm
Dear Morgan,
I’m sorry for my long absence, almost all this time I was busy working with Project 2007, a tribute to Cozy which I told you about. I made its English version, so, let me invite you to see my works!
I know nothing about web design, only general HTML which I learned for creating my site and tribute. That’s why there’s nothing great in design but I hope you’ll feel a piece of my soul which I put there. Click here to see the project.
By the way, its already December, 29 in Ukraine, so, I’m free to say - Happy Birthday Cozy! And happy Cozy’s Day to you ;)
Cheers, Suzanna
By: ELPy on December 28, 2007
at 5:58 pm
Dear Suzanna,
Happy Cozy’s Day! It is hard to believe he would have been 60 today. My brother had a birthday yesterday - he was 61. Close!
I missed you but glad you’re busy and working on your band and Cozy’s tribute. I just went to the page and am inspired by your art. What a lot of things to see! The first link I clicked was Cozy’s 60 Best. YAY! Outstanding job! Later on this week, I will revisit the site again.
For you, I put a link under ‘Tributes’ section in the above page. Now, I have to go and do other things. (I was writing all day. Sometimes it consumes me - like you and music, perhaps?)
Blessings to you and Happy New Year, from me in Connecticut to you in Kiev!
Morgan
By: Morgan Wolf on December 29, 2007
at 6:35 pm
Dear Morgan,
Thank you for putting my link on your page! Heartful thank you also for describing me. You made me shy!
I’m glad to know you like my web-tribute to Cozy and my version of his 60 bests. It was really the most difficult part of the project, and I’m happy that you (and not only you) think I did it right :)
I also mailed the link to Denny Ball, the bass player from Bedlam, and I was very touched by his warm words! Bedlam is one of my favorite bands, not only because of Cozy - I like music such this. And receiving kind comment from the favorite band’s member… I was pretty shocked!
About writing and you, and music and me… I can understand you! Though I like my profession, sometimes I can’t even look at my guitar and even want to throw it through the window!
Please accept my warmest Christmas and New Year greetings! I wish you all the best I can from the deep of my soul! Peace and love from me in Kiev to you in Connecticut! ;)
Cheers,
Suzanna
By: ELPy on January 2, 2008
at 5:13 pm
Suz,
Congratulations on hearing from Denny Ball! You know, the Internet is wonderful. It collapses time and space and levels the social distance between all of us. We interact with all kinds of people and this is a beautiful thing.
I was glad to put up the link. I hope you get lots and lots of hits! Hard work deserves recognition.
Peace and love back at you! I have a good feeling about this year, 2008!
Cheers, Morgan
By: Morgan Wolf on January 2, 2008
at 5:40 pm
Dear Morgan,
I’ve been away for a long time, and now I’m here to share something new with you. It’s my new song dedicated to Cozy. Maybe some day I’ll make a video to it but now there is only a demo version. It calls “Colin”, and you can find it here.
I’m recently working recording my first home album, it will be called “Songs For Friends”, and this song will be there.
I’m also thinking about “Project 2008″, but alas, I haven’t any idea at this moment. I can’t imagine what kind of stuff I can put to this project, maybe you’ve got any propositions? ;)
The St.Valentine’s day is coming. I don’t celebrate this date but if you do - I wish you have a wonderful holiday!
Blessings, Suzanna
By: ELPy on February 13, 2008
at 9:54 am
Dear Suzanna,
I’m sorrry it took so long to respond! It’s been a little strange around my house these past weeks. For awhile, I was without a computer, now using a loaner while mine is being refurbished.
Today, I finally listened to your songs. Oh! Your voice is changing - much stronger and melodic.
I loved your solo, ‘Colin’ (dedicated to Cozy), from your ‘Songs for Friends’ album. What beautiful words and music! Is that a minor 7th chord you’re ending on? It is unusual and a nice surprise. Lyrics? I’d love to read them.
As for ‘All I Wanted Was Your Love’, I loved the passion in your rendition: “This is life, this is serious…” Nice job - it’s a difficult song to sing.
Your ‘Song for Friend’ - well done on this; lovely words, too. Such a sadness in this devotional. Hmm. I wonder about ‘who’ and this is good. (I don’t like to reveal what is behind my writings if I can help it.) Are you working on the album now?
Thank you for continuing to write and keep me up with your life and music. You are a lovely person.
Happy Spring and Easter, too, if you celebrate it.
I look forward to warmer weather in my little town here in Connecticut, USA. It has been a long winter. I mean that in many ways. As you can imagine. It is exciting that summer is just around the corner, because like the song goes, Summertime and the living is easy…
Here’s to living easier.
Blessings,
Morgan
LINK to Suzanna ELPy’s songs:
By: Morgan Wolf on March 19, 2008
at 3:20 pm
Dear Morgan,
glad to read you again!
I was without my PC, too, that’s why I had to stop recording my album. But now everything’s all right, I restart my work. I hope “Songs For Friends” will be finished on the end of June or on the beginning of July (I hope my computer won’t break again, it would be too much! :D)
Thank you for your kind words about my music! When I read comments such yours, I really understand that all I do isn’t vain!
“Colin”… The first song I composed this year. I don’t know what made me end it with the minor chord, but I found it well. Here are the lyrics!
Colin
All my words are senseless,
All my melodies are vain,
But it’s the only way to feel you here,
And I repeat your lovely name again.
Colin, guilty angel with the wings of rain
Colin, lonely stranger with the sight of pain
Colin, you just make me sing my song of love
And send it to the stars above.
Colin, April highway winds caress your hair
And your smile is fading with an evening air
Colin, echo of a moonlight serenade,
Touch me before it is too late.
Your eyes reflect in smooth of mountain lakes
Your laughter full of life, it makes me shake
Your sunshine smile, it guides me through the haze
And makes my daydream blaze…
No words of vow, no tears, no promises,
Just let me see your lovely face.
…And if I cannot hear my mind
I only have to speak my heart…
Colin, midnight seashore of a nameless land,
Colin, windy traces on the sleeping sand
Colin, let me whisper softly your sweet name
I swear I will not go insane.
Colin, all I say is insignificant.
Colin, I am just a point on the sand.
But Colin, please forgive me if something is wrong
And take this heartfelt song…
“All I Wanted Was Your Love” - I also put it to the 60th Birthday tribute. As I wrote there, I always wanted to make something of Cozy’s stuff, and this song - I can’t find any word to describe my feelings when I listened to it the first time! That’s why I chose this one.
“Song For Friend”. It isn’t a secret, I recorded it as a New Year gift to my dear friend and a wonderful person. He’s a real Friend who walks beside me, holds my hand and feels my heart. In this way I thank him for all good things he’s done to me, and I was happy to know that it puts him in a good mood every time he listens to it :)
I must say you’re very lovely person, too! ;) Thank you for the greetings, belated happy Easter to you, too!
it was a long cold winter in Kiev, too, and now the weather doesn’t look like Spring, but - I hope to see a real spring very soon!
April, 5 is coming… it’s very sad date but it can’t be forgotten! ten years - it’s so hard to believe!
Last year my friends and me, we organized a meeting in the memory of Cozy. We went to the British Embassy and put flowers to its wall. We also revered Cozy’s memory by the moment of silence and all together sang “Let It Be” (I know the funeral service ended with this song). Then we had some red wine to Cozy’s memory, and then there were talks about music, songs by guitar (we sang Rainbow, The Beatles, Blackmore’s Night and others and some of my songs)… It was our evening to remember Cozy Powell.
This year there’ll be the meeting again - with British Embassy, flowers, “Let It Be” and red wine. And then - maybe I’ll sing in one blues bar that day, and if it is I’ll dedicate this concert to Cozy, and that’ll be the way for me and my friends to remember Cozy this year.
Here’s the pic from the first meeting. http://i.bigmir.net/photo/large/4/5/1594754.jpg
We just bought the flowers and ready to go to the Embassy. You can see me holding my guitar and a pic of Cozy.
Once again, thank you for all of your kind words, I’ll be glad to read you again!
Many blessings,
Suzanna
By: ELPy on March 26, 2008
at 9:06 pm
