After stints with the Jeff Beck Group and session work for Mickie Most's RAK label, legendary drummer formed his own band, Bedlam, in 1973. They hit the ground running with , a drum-led instrumental based on 's . "The idea for .
.. was all Mickie's – he gave us a rough drum riff," said Cozy.
"It took about 20 minutes and I didn’t think any more of it until a month later when I was asked to do , and it became this massive thing." An unlikely UK hit in late 1973, which originally featured RAK labelmate Suzi Quatro on bass – was performed on alongside guitarist Bernie Marsden, keyboard player Don Airey and bassist Neil Murray, all who'd have important roles to play in Cozy's future. The song also crept into the Top 100 in the US, and in February 1974 Powell – now accompanied by bothers Dave and Denny Ball on guitar and bass, plus singer Frankie Aiello – headed across the Atlantic for a tour supporting .
While in the US the band stopped by the studios of and filmed two songs – and for an episode broadcast in early May, and footage of the former is the latest clip to find its way into the show's . Bedlam disintegrated later the same year due to disagreements about their musical direction, but Powell was only getting started. Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! He formed Cozy Powell's Hammer (joined by Bernie Marsden) before becoming a member of (briefly playing alongside Don Airey) and then (including two stints with Neil Murray).
Murray would also join Powell in a new version of Cozy Powell's Hammer, and the two would play together in Brian May's band. Powell ended up playing on more than 60 albums, recording with everyone from Robert Plant to Cinderella and becoming one of rock's most beloved drummers. But for those who don't even know his name, they'll surely remember those rattling, chart-scaling drums on Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014.
38 years in music industry, online for 25. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author.
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