There are some rare artists that are able to arouse emotions in their public, I mean real, intense emotions. Cozy Powell was one of these musicians.

For those of you who don't know, we are talking about the drummer of bands like Rainbow, Whitesnake, Emerson Lake & Powell, Black Sabbath. His unique versatility allowed him to collaborate with almost everyone, from Ritchie Blackmore to Tony Iommi, from Jeff Beck to Michael Schenker as well as Gary Moore, Peter Green, Glenn Tipton, Yngwie Malmsteen and Brian May. He also recorded five solo albums!

Cozy was well known for his playing that was solid and energetic, in addition he developed a completely personal style. His sound was particularly powerful, rich and deep but never lacking of dynamics. Even when he used the double bass tecnique he always did it with good taste, never just to show off or overkill the music but only if it was really necessary to boost the mood of the song.

His talent was immediately evident to anyone who heard him play. But it was when you saw him performing that Cozy really blew you away! and it was not only for his legendary drum solos with symphonic tracks and fireworks. It was the gesture, somehow elegant despite the considerable amount of physical strength that was required for that kind of playing. Above all, every time you saw Cozy playing you knew that every part of him was right there, on the drum kit. No matter which genre of music he was playing, he always gave everything he had. “My advice to anyone is to play your heart out” he once said in an interview.

Even though he liked to be aggressive in his playing, far away from the stage Cozy was a lovely human being, his colleagues remember his great sense of humor but also his sensitivity and generosity.

Today, sixteen years after his untimely passing, his work and legacy have not been forgotten by those who, all over the world, had been touched by his music.

It would be nice if the city in which he grew up could dedicate something to him, just as a recognition of his brilliant carrier and his incredible life. I think he deserve it, having given so much to rock music.