Starting with a wonderful live video on the backdrop of Cozy Powell playing the drums and smashing out a solo. We got to the start of the celebrations. What followed was a who's who in the Rock World, playing out different chapters of Cozy Powell's career.

 

I can only describe it is a Covers Supergroup! Compere, Andy Fox from Hard Rock Hell Radio guided us throughout the night introducing the many artists.

 

The Guitarists were made up of Jim Kirkpatrick from FM. Looking every inch a metal god was Ian Richard Willis from SHY. Glenn Quinn from Dan Byrne. Another Rock God, elvish looking Sam Wood from Black Star riders. Chris Buck from Cardinal Black. Legendary Bass players, Chris Childs of Thunder and Neil Fairclough of player in Queen.

 

The singers lined up for the show were Jim Kirkpatrick from FM. Jimi Anderson from the Jimi Anderson Group, Dan Byrne, Adam Payne from Powell and Payne and Blaze Bayley from Wolfsbane.

 

The Keyboard players consisted of Nick Foley of Attack, Neil Taylor of The Graham Bonnet Band.

& Richard Bailey of Whitesnake.

 

Although this show was all about the drummers who for this gig were Organiser. Bob Richards from Son of Man, Russ Gilbrook of Uriah Heep, Chris Allen from Ronnie Romero & Harry James of Thunder and Quireboys.

 

There was a guest band but I will get to that later.

 

The glamour was brought by two backing singers, Zoe Green of Orquila and Julie Maguire from Space Elevator. Sadly for two such glamorous lady's they were hidden mostly from view at the side of the stage.

 

The sets covered material from Michael Schenker Group and UFO to Whitesnake, Brian May and Rainbow. Everyone showed what incredible musicians they all are and no egos were present!

Some artists mingled with the audience during and after the performance. Keen eyes would have spotted Becky Baldwin of 'Fury' in the crowd.

 

Singers Jim Kirkpatrick, Jimi Anderson and Dan Byrne were excellent and totally nailed the material they were covering but it was the relatively unknown singer Adam Payne singing the MSG set who really stole the limelight from the more established singers. His voice was magnificent. Such an amazing range.

 

In the middle, there was a treat the guest band singing a Black Sabbath set were the young band JAYLER. JAYLER being more Led Zeppelin seemed an odd choice to do this. They performed four songs, War pigs, NIB, The Wizard and Paranoid.

 

Big shoes to fill! They didn't fill them, they overflowed out of those shoes, they were sensational. Did the majority of the crowd rock out? No, they were in to much awe from what they were watching. They managed to upstage seasoned professionals and a lot of people who were not familiar with this band suddenly took notice. No big egos either. Just a tremendous display of talent.

 

A massive burst of fun followed from an unlikely source: that Cozy Powell Pop song, 'Na Na Na', sung by the larger than life Metal Singer, Blaze Bayley and he loved the ridiculousness of it. Getting the crowd singing along, he totally commanded that stage, singing like he had being doing pop music all his illustrious career! Extremely entertaining.

 

As the rest of night played out with some real sing a long favourites from the world of Whitesnake and Queen we finally get to the finale.

 

Organiser, Bob Richards took his place on the kit, Russ Gilbrook, Chris Allan and Harry James sat at the front with four drums, the fourth drummer was called onto stage, the young Ed Evens of JAYLER. Looking a little bemused he walked towards the kit, but seeing Bob Richards sat there only added to his comical confusion.

 

He finally understood the brief and took his place at the end of the drum line. Four drummers up front and Bob on the kit. All different ages and experience. We had the pleasure of a drum medley. It was pretty awesome to see and feel as the five drummers filled the former steel mill with sound. JAYLERS Drummer, Ed didn't look out of place, he belonged there! But he did look as if he couldn't believe he was there amongst some drum legends.

 

Eventually all the artists made their way on to the stage for a jam and sing along. It was a party atmosphere that the crowd just loved.

 

The super Group cover band performance was coming to an end. It was an absolute blast, lots of fun. A very relaxed atmosphere and an amazing array of talent. Roll on next year for the sixth Birthday Bash in a row.

 

By Dale Holford