Cozy Powell (born Colin Trevor Flooks; 29 December 1947 – 5 April 1998) was an English drummer who made his name with major rock bands and artists such as The Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Gary Moore, Graham Bonnet, Brian May, Whitesnake, Emerson, Lake & Powell, and Black Sabbath.

The late nights and usual on-the-road exploits began to affect his education, and Powell left to take an office job to finance the purchase of his first set of Premier drums.

Powell struck up friendships with notable local musicians, including Robert Plant, John Bonham, future Slade vocalist Noddy Holder, bassist Dave Pegg and Tony Iommi.

Powell also began session work and, with fellow Sorcerers Dave and Denny Ball, formed Big Bertha.

By late 1972 he had joined up with the Ball brothers and singer Frank Aiello to form Bedlam, whose eponymous album produced by Felix Pappalardi, was recorded for Chrysalis and released in August 1973.

Jeff Beck's studio producer, at the time was Mickie Most and Powell soon found himself drafted into sessions for artists signed to Most's RAK label, including Julie Felix, Hot Chocolate, Donovan and Suzi Quatro.

The line-up included Bernie Marsden (guitar), Clive Chaman (bass), Don Airey (keyboards) and Frank Aiello (Bedlam) on vocals.

Powell grew concerned with the overtly commercial direction and decided to leave, although not before Rainbow headlined the first Monsters of Rock show at Castle Donington, England, on 16 August 1980.

Cottle would eventually join as a session bassist, for the recording of Black Sabbath's Headless Cross album in 1988 and was again replaced by Murray, in 1989 for the supporting tour.

Powell was invited to join Whitesnake in late 1982 after his departure from Michael Schenker Group to replace Ian Paice for a presumed farewell tour with the band in Europe, but after the success of the Saints & Sinners album in the British and Japanese charts, and a successful tour that culminated in a memorable performance at the Monsters of Rock Festival in August 1983, the band signed with the American label Geffen Records.

Now under guidance of A&R executive John Kalodner, the album was remixed with the help of producer Keith Olsen for the American market with Cozy, guitarist Mel Galley and keyboardist Jon Lord the only remaining members of the previous line up along with singer David Coverdale and guitarist John Sykes and returning bassist Neil Murray.

Powell briefly played with John Sykes in Blue Murder, before working with Gary Moore in 1988, followed by stints with Black Sabbath from 1988 to 1991, and again from 1994 to 1995.

Powell's final solo album, Especially for You was released in Japan in 1998 after his death, and featured American vocalist John West, Neil Murray, Lonnie Park, Michael Casswell and others.

The album featured well known Japanese musicians, as well as Powell's former Blue Murder bandmate, bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice on a few tracks.

Powell died on 5 April 1998 following a car crash while driving his Saab 9000 at 104 mph (167 km/h) in bad weather on the M4 motorway near Bristol.

[13] According to the BBC report, at the time of the crash Powell's blood-alcohol reading was over the legal limit, and he was not wearing a seat belt, in addition to talking with his girlfriend on his mobile phone.

[14] He was living in Lambourn in Berkshire at the time and had returned to the studio shortly before his death to record with Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green.

At the time of death, Powell had recently pulled out of tour rehearsals with Yngwie Malmsteen, having suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident.

A memorial plaque at the Corn Hall in Cirencester was unveiled in January 2016 in a ceremony led by Brian May, with Suzi Quatro, Bernie Marsden, Neil Murray, Don Airey and Tony Iommi in attendance.

Former Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin released a studio album (Scream), and on it is a track named "Raising Hell".