December 29th would have been Cozy Powell’s 76th birthday. On the 30th, for the third time (the first for four years) a load of his mates gathered the great and good of rock n roll for a celebration of his life and musical legacy.
It was 25 years this year since Powell died in a car crash. But that legacy? Well, it’s as good as anyone’s. Ever. The list of bands he’s worked with would be as long as the list of guests that appear here.
As a young rock fan, I remember him in my formative years, playing in Whitesnake then Sabbath (and the drummers here – headlined by Thunder’s Harry James and Bob Richards of Buck and Evans amongst others, who organised the night – are using an old Whitesnake era kit of Powell’s) but it all stretches back way before that, so the opening of the show focuses on early Rainbow. Paul Manzi (these days of Sweet) is marvellous as Dio, if you will, and “Man On The Silver Mountain”, “Stargazer” – which isn’t far off the highlight of the night – and “Long Live Rock N Roll” are all classics, and all done superbly. But there’s a standout amongst it all. Ian Richard Wills. Local guitar man, once of Shy and The Graham Bonnett Band, is incredible on guitar in this section.
After that, we move to the Graham Bonnett era, which is sung by Jimi Anderson. Something of a UK AOR legend, the York-based Scot has stepped in for the stricken Chris Glen.
And, as anyone who has seen the real Graham Bonnett in recent years would probably attest, it’s a pleasure to see songs like “Lost In Hollywood” sung well …..
Speaking of “singing well”, “Danger Zone” is taken care of by Esther Rowley. She sings backing all night – doing so with real skill – but this is her only spell front and centre, she deserves it. This section ends with a couple you might know – indeed you should know if you’re reading this, “All Night Long” and a little tune called “Since You’ve Been Gone” – the type of singalong fun this was made for.
Following on the timeline comes one of the evening’s bigger names. Guitarist Sam Wood (“the young Scott” as Lee Small puts it) appears in the Schenker role for an MSG-heavy set.
Small- who was recently playing bass for The Sweet- revels as the singer of “Armed And Ready”, “Cry For The Nations” and the rest. The last of which is a proper crowd pleaser too – and “Doctor Doctor” is more than the one that Iron Maiden come out to, after all.
A load more stars appear as is expected at this point, as Dan Byrne (Skin) and the incomparable Chris Buck headline a race through a Whitesnake set. This, interestingly, is the most interpretive of the sets. “Guilty Of Love” is turned into an almost Thin Lizzy boogie by Buck and Glen Quinn, and Byrne sings “Ready An’ Willing” in his style, although the presence of Richard Bailey, who played keys for Whitesnake, ensured some added authenticity.
As is the pattern here, the last couple in each section are the “big ones”, with “Here I Go Again” and “Fool For Your Lovin’” and as a special touch, Bernie Marsden (Powell had been his Best Man) was on the big screen throughout the latter.
Whether you can call it an encore or not is a debate,whatever, the entire cast of characters appear for another run-through of “….Gone” but the special ending sees all four drummers for the night: James, Richards, Mike Terranna and Russ Gillbrook, perform Powell’s signature “Dance With The Devil” altogether and in suitably primal fashion.
Celebrating the power of drumming seems apt to celebrate Powell but the night was actually about the power of music, and above all, fun.
They leave promising the fourth of these next year. It will, on this evidence, be special.
Main pic and bottom 3 pictures Keith Tracy
