Cozy Powell is spoken about with reverence and respect throughout the rock world, an icon who was taken from us way too soon. No matter what generation you are, you know who Cozy was!
The inaugural bash commemorating his birthday, raising money for World Animal Protection UK was held in 2018 and was such a monumental success, the organisers had to do it again!
Reading down the list of performers it was like a who’s who in rock.
Compere for the evening, Andy Fox opened the proceedings, Cozy’s huge drum kit taking its majestic place on the riser, his image providing the backdrop looking down on all that was happening.
Beginning with a 50 minute set of Rainbow songs, Paul Manzi who more than proved himself the previous year on vocals, Esther Rowley on backing vocals, Ian Richard Wills on guitar, Chris Childs on bass, Neil Taylor on Keys and Russel Gilbrook on the drums slapped everyone’s ears into life with ‘Kill The King’ followed by ‘Man on a Silver Mountain’ and ‘Long Live Rock and Roll’. The set progressed with changing vocalists, Carl Sentence taking over the duties for ‘Stargazer’ and ‘Tarot Woman’.
Changing drummers too with Mike Terrana taking the sticks for ‘Long Live Rock and Roll’ and ‘Stargazer’ and absolutely smashing it before Bob Richards took over for ‘Tarot Woman’, ‘Eyes of The World’ and ‘Lost in Hollywood’. Harry James stepping up to play on ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’. I have to say Carl Sentence absolutely nailed it too.
Last year, Ted Mckenna played the bash shortly before he passed away. A fitting video tribute to Ted with ‘Desert Song’ playing over the images was met with applause before the 25-minute MSG set began. A change of guard with vocalist Lee Small taking the lead reins with Bob Richards back on the kit, Glen Quinn and Laurence Archer taking over the riffs and bassist Chris Glenn gracing the stage. ‘Armed and Ready’, ‘Cry for the Nations’, ‘Let Sleeping Dogs Lie’, ‘Doctor Doctor’ and ‘Into the Arena’, just fabulous!
An auction of signed memorabilia prompted some very generous bids before Chris Buck, Jim Kirkpatrick, Richard Bailey and the legend that is Neil Murray took to the stage for an absolutely cracking Whitesnake set.
Changes of vocalists and drummers throughout with Lee Small beginning with ‘Walking in the Shadow of the Blues’ before Paul Manzi was back for ‘Guilty of Love’ and ‘Love Ain’t No Stranger’. A welcome addition to this year’s bash Shane Greenhall from Those Damn Crows blew everyone away with his bluesy power-packed vocals on ‘Slow n Easy’. What a voice! It was good to see Esther taking lead on ‘Crying in the Rain’ and duetting with Shane on ‘Here I Go Again’ too. Her performance of ‘Slide It In’ was just brilliant!
Saxon’s Nigel Glockler took over stick duties for a swift and stunning Jeff Beck set with Jim Kirkpatrick providing the vocals along with the riffs.
Hearing such great songs played live by such talented musicians was really something to behold. I do hope it gets repeated next time with a few more added.
Review & Photography by Lindsay Smith for MPM
