Cozy Powell Tribute Concert Report
Earlier this year, there was a Cozy Powell Tribute concert where several musicians and friends of Cozy gathered to remember him and play some of his music. One of Cozy’s closest friends, Brian May who played with Cozy in many bands, including Whitesnake & Black Sabbath. Here’s a few of Neil’s remarks about the concert itself.
Date: Fri, 14 May 1999 17:39:24 -0500
From: Neil Murray (address withheld)
Subject: Cozy Powell Tribute
To: Joe Siegler <siegler@cozypowell.com>
It’s hard for me to give a review, though it all went pretty well. It was a shame that Brian committed to it so late in the proceedings, but it’s great that he did it anyway.
I missed most of the first half of the show, as I had been rehearsing and soundchecking most of the afternoon, and my ears needed a rest! Among the singers and musicians who performed were Chris Farlowe (legendary 60s singer & ex-Colosseum), Tony Ashton (ex-Paice, Ashton & Lord), Darren Wharton (ex-Thin Lizzy) and a band which included Denny Ball (bass – ex-Bedlam) and Pete French (vocals – ex-Atomic Rooster and Cactus).
The second half of the show started with Bobby Rondinelli, Tony Martin, Geoff Nicholls, Mike Casswell and myself playing:
‘Devil and Daughter’ (Sabbath)
‘Rusty Angels’ (Sabbath)
‘Crying In The Rain’ (Whitesnake)
‘Stargazer’ (Rainbow)
‘Headless Cross’ (Sabbath)
a short drum solo into ‘Long Live Rock’n’Roll’ (Rainbow).
We were all rather nervous so some of the tempos were a bit fast, and it would have been great if we’d had a bit more rehearsal, but the audience seemed to really enjoy it.
A version of Spike Edney’s SAS Band followed, the lineup of which consisted of:
Chris Thompson (lead vocals – ex-Manfred Mann’s Earth Band; flew in from LA to do the gig)
Clayton Moss (guitar – ex-The Cross (Roger Taylor’s band))
John Marter (drums – ex-Marillion)
Spike Edney (keyboards – ex-Queen and many other bands)
Susie Webb and Zoe Nicholas (backing vocals ex-Brian May Band)
Neil Murray (bass)
We played mostly songs that Cozy had played on with the SAS Band:
Davy’s On The Road Again (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band)
Dirty Mind (The Cross, SAS Band)
Can’t Get Next To You (Temptations, Al Green)
Fire Down Below (Bob Seger)
Mighty Quinn (Manfred Mann)
For You (Bruce Springsteen) – Chris & Spike only
Then Brian May joined us for:
Since You Been Gone (Rainbow)
Tie Your Mother Down (Queen)
Hammer To Fall (Queen)
followed by all the other musicians and singers joining in on backing vocals etc on:
All The Young Dudes (Mott The Hoople)
With A Little Help From My Friends (Joe Cocker version)
You’re The Voice (John Farnham)
followed by many drinks at the hotel! Personally, I was exhausted, but it was worth it. There was a great atmosphere in the Opera House, and it was a pleasure to play with everyone.
Neil