Bill Ward Pays Tribute to His Dear Friend

During a recent appearance on LA Radio Sessions, Bill Ward revisited a personal and musical connection that continues to resonate decades later. After spinning Stargazer by Rainbow—featuring the thunderous drumming of Cozy Powell—Ward opened up about his friendship with the late musician.

“Well, Cozy Powell was somebody that I first met when we were still kids. Great drummer. Tight. Well, first of all, I was attracted to his personality. He was a nice man — very nice man,” Ward said.

He recalled their final conversation, which took place just two weeks before Powell’s untimely death. “My last phone call with Cozy, actually, was about two weeks before he passed away. And I am so glad that I was able to talk to Cozy on really meaningful topics and [we had a] heartfelt conversation,” he shared, emphasizing how deeply that moment has stayed with him.

Built for the Golden Era of Rock

Reflecting on Powell’s musicianship, Ward pointed to the drummer’s already distinctive style from an early age. Coming from a jazz background himself, Ward cited Gene Krupa as his primary influence, while recognizing a different lineage in Powell’s playing.

“But Cozy was well defined. His chops were — I think his chops were from the Buddy Rich Big Band and were maybe from Buddy Rich. It fitted in so well. It fitted really well into rock. It’s almost like his body and the way that he played was designed for that era,” Ward explained.

He also highlighted Powell’s rare crossover success as a solo artist.

“He had a lot of hit records by himself as a single artist… where he would do a drum solo, and that would be the record, and they got into the charts. He was always available, always listening. I think he was a drummer’s drummer.”

Loss, Legacy, and Lasting Influence

Looking back nearly three decades after Powell’s passing, Ward spoke candidly about the emotional weight of memory and time. As he approaches his late seventies, he reflects on the many musicians he has known and lost along the way.

“It’s so sad — very sad — now when I’m thinking about it… it’s an incredible journey, but there’s also a price to pay… The memories alone are often sad as well as brilliant opportunities. It’s a mixed bag,” he said.

Despite the lingering sadness, Ward closed his reflections with a deeply personal tribute:

“So, yeah, Cozy was an angel. That’s what Cozy Powell was.”

Powell died on April 5, 1998, at the age of 50, following a high-speed car crash on England’s M4 motorway. At the time, he had recently returned to the studio to record with Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac. Over a prolific career spanning dozens of albums, Powell performed with acts including Whitesnake, The Jeff Beck Group, Emerson, Lake & Powell, Black Sabbath, and Michael Schenker Group, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence generations of rock drummers.