During a recent appearance on RockFM, Queen’s Brian May revealed the four drummers that created rock drumming. He named Cozy Powell, John Bonham, Carmine Appice, and Mitch Mitchell as the drummers who had a massive impact on rock history.
Brian May had a chance to collaborate with Cozy Powell and Carmine Appice. The guitarist took part in Appice’s Guitar Zeus project, featuring a compilation of 24 of the best ‘Guitar Zeus’ songs. The album included many prominent guitarists like Slash, Yngwie Malmsteen, Richie Sambora, and Vivian Campbell. Brian May also contributed to the album with his guitar playing on the song, ‘Nobody Knew.’
When the guitarist formed the Brian May Band in 1992, Cozy Powell joined him as the drummer. He also played percussion in the group. The band went on an extensive tour of the United States, Europe, and Japan. Later on, Powell also contributed to May’s second solo album, ‘Another World.’ However, the drummer, unfortunately, died in a car accident before they completed the album.
In a recent conversation, Brian May described Cozy Powell as a matchless drummer and stated that Powell, John Bonham, Carmine Appice, and Mitch Mitchell were the four names who created rock drumming. The guitarist highlighted that Cozy Powell had a special place in his life. As an optimistic person, he would always encourage May about his solo efforts. Thus, he was a major driving force in May’s personal life and music career.
May speaking on the four drummers who created rock drumming:
“Cozy Powell was a one-off in every way. He is one of the seminal drummers, one of the drummers who created rock drumming along with John Bonham, Carmine Appice, and Mitch Mitchell. Cozy Powell stands there like a giant creator of the style, and he also had an amazing physicality and positivity.
I’m a very negative guy. I’m a depressive. I don’t find it easy to see the cuppers half full. Cozy would come in, and I would talk to him, ‘I have this song. I don’t know if it’s going to work.’ He would say, ‘Yes, of course, it works. Absolutely boy. I’ll come and play hooligan.’ Cozy was a force of optimism, a force of positivity. Of course, the downside is when he’s gone, it’s hard to find that positivity.”
You can watch the entire conversation below.
