Born in Cirencester, Powell started his musical career with The Sorcerers in 1965. In 1971 he joined the Jeff Beck group for two albums, before going solo then forming Bedlam. His solo single Dance With The Devil reached third place in the UK charts in 1973.
In 1976 he joined Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, leaving in 1980 after four albums. Powell performed with a number of major bands - Whitesnake from 1982 to 1984, then with Keith Emerson and Greg Lake in 1986, then Black Sabbath intermittently from 1989 to 1995.
Cozy along with Neil Murray (fellow ex-member of Cozy Powell's Hammer, Whitesnake and Black Sabbath) were members of the Brian May Band, playing on the Back To The Light and Another World albums. They were due to start touring with the band in the Autumn of 1998.
Cozy Powell died following a car crash in bad weather on the M4 motorway.
Official Cozy Powell website: http://www.cozypowell.com/