Hard-rock drum legend Cozy Powell to be subject of new documentary

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      British independent film director Lee Hutchings has announced plans to shoot a documentary about the life and times of hard-rock drummer Cozy Powell, who slammed the skins for the likes of Jeff Beck, Gary Moore, Rainbow, and Black Sabbath before perishing in a high-speed wipeout in 1998 at the age of 50.

      Here's the bumph from Hutchings' website:

      Featuring exclusive and extensive interviews with family, friends, work associates and fans, inbetween various archival footage, “Dance with the Devil - The Cozy Powell Story” will be an essential, in-depth and personal account of the man who, from humble beginnings, would go on to play an essential part in British and American rock drumming by playing in and alongside multiple bands and solo artists including Jeff Beck, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath and Brian May, as well as his own solo recordings including his signature instrumental “Dance With The Devil”, up until his tragic death in 1998.

      Powell--who had a fascination with fast cars and motorbikes--died on April 5 of '98 when the Saab 9000 he was driving at a reported 104 mph went flying off the M4 motorway near Bristol, England, possibly because of a punctured rear tire. As well as speeding in bad weather, Powell had been drinking and was talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone. He wasn't wearing a seatbelt, either. He once said in an interview: "I drive like I drum--madly."

      Highlights of Powell's career include performing on two Jeff Beck Group albums in the early '70s, the Michael Schenker Group's 1981 debut MSG, Whitesnake's multiplatinum Slide It In of '84, Gary Moore's After the War, also of '84, and Black Sabbath's Headless Cross of '89.

      But he's best remembered for his work in the seventies with Rainbow, particularly on 1976's Rising and 1978's Long Live Rock 'n' Roll. On the latter album he earned a songwriting credit--along with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and singer Ronnie James Dio--for the barnburner "Kill the King", an early example of what would become known as "speed metal".

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      Comments

      9 Comments

      John Nixon

      Nov 17, 2011 at 2:16pm

      It's about time this true giant of a rock legend received some credit for his many contributions!

      Bob S.

      Nov 17, 2011 at 2:19pm

      Don't forget his playing on Yngwie Malmsteen's "Facing the Animal"!

      Steve Newton

      Nov 17, 2011 at 3:09pm

      I'm trying to forget <i>Yngwie's</i> playing on "Facing the Animal"! Bit of a wanker, no?

      rockerbiff

      Nov 17, 2011 at 3:21pm

      Seeing Cozy Powell along with the classic "Rising" line-up of Rainbow was my first concert in 1976. I always liked his no-nonsense sound and his willingness to bash the crap out of his kit. I even liked his stuff with Mickie Most in 74. His solo albums are also worth digging out - check out the track "Killer" on "Over the Top" with the late Gary Moore and Don Airey on keys

      Carl Spackler

      Nov 17, 2011 at 9:25pm

      Dance with the Devil is rad! But check the funk rock goodness of the B side 'And Then There Was Skin'. This song has been sampled by many a dubious ruffian on numerous occasions, But this heavy nuggnet is party rock staple around here @ the Ranch.
      http://youtu.be/fl_o1ywhFcQ

      TheRocker

      Nov 20, 2011 at 6:11am

      Even if you don't like Yngwie, I've never heard better production of Cozy's playing on any other recording that he has been on (out of the many that I have heard).

      Robin

      Nov 20, 2011 at 7:34am

      The MSG album he played on was not the debut, it was their second lp. I saw Cozy and Schenker at their UBC suballroom show in 1980. They destroyed the hearing in my left ear. What is that souvenir worth on ebay?

      Tim ironmonger

      Nov 24, 2011 at 7:44pm

      it is about bloody time !!!!!!....his.. opening to stargazer says it all...bloody brilliant! hey steve don't know if you remember me i was the drummer in 80's band ruf howzer,you took my bass player and guitarist and me clubbing down town......cheers....

      Frank

      Feb 28, 2012 at 9:54am

      Cozy powell is a brilliant drummer if not one of the best hard rock drummers in the 70`s with Bonham and paice alike.
      Dont forget to miss out his solo album over the top with superstar musicians as gary moore and Jack Bruce.
      That album gets me every time cheers.