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Don PowellRock musician, drummer
Date of Birth: 10.09.1947
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- The Formation of Slade
- Drumming Style
- Songwriting Contributions
- Car Crash and Recovery
- Post-Slade Career
- Cameo Roles and Collaborations:
- Personal Life and Health
- Partial Memory Loss and Autobiography:
- Recent Dismissal from Slade:
Early Life and Career
Born:September 10, 1946, Bilston, Staffordshire, EnglandDon Powell's musical journey began as the drummer for his Boy Scout troop. After attending modern secondary school, he worked in a foundry for several years before pursuing his dream of becoming a professional drummer. His youthful passion for boxing led to three broken noses during amateur fights. Powell possessed a friendly and witty personality, making him the designated "hat man" for Slade, collecting donations after performances.
The Formation of Slade
Vendors to Slade:In 1966, Powell joined The Vendors, which later recruited guitarist Dave Hill. The band evolved into N'Betweens, adding Jim Lea on guitar, bass, keyboards, and violin. Powell then spotted Noddy Holder performing with Steve Brett & The Mavericks and invited him and Hill to join N'Betweens. Amusingly, the group had their first rehearsal on April Fool's Day. They renamed themselves Ambrose Slade and subsequently Slade, achieving international success.
Drumming Style
"Ringoesque" Mastery:Slade fans hailed Powell as one of rock's finest drummers. Like Ringo Starr, he displayed an understated yet intricate style, often creating inventive sounds. He is widely praised for his performances during Slade's early and middle periods.
Songwriting Contributions
Lyrical Collaborations:Powell co-wrote several early Slade songs, including those featured on their debut album, "Play it Loud." Notably, he contributed to the hit "Look Wot You Dun" and mimed heavy breathing on the recording.
Car Crash and Recovery
Tragic Accident:On July 4, 1973, at the peak of Slade's popularity, Powell was involved in a serious car accident in Wolverhampton. His 20-year-old girlfriend, Angela Morris, was killed, and Powell suffered multiple injuries, including broken ankles and ribs, a fractured skull, and a six-day coma. Despite his ordeal, he made a remarkable recovery and was recording "My Friend Stan" in the studio in mid-August, although he still used a walking stick and couldn't sit behind his drum kit. The accident left him with a loss of taste and smell, as well as ongoing issues with short-term memory, though his long-term memory remained intact.
Post-Slade Career
From Slade to Slade II:After Slade disbanded in 1991, Powell ran an antiques import-export business. In 1993, he reunited with Hill to form Slade II. He continued to perform extensively, releasing two albums: "Keep on Rockin'" and "Cum On Let's Party!"
Cameo Roles and Collaborations:
Powell made a brief cameo in the 2000 BBC version of "Lorna Doone." In 2017, he joined glam rock icons Suzi Quatro and Andy Scott (ex-Sweet) to release the album QSP.
Personal Life and Health
Twice Married:Powell has been married twice and resided in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, England, for many years. In 2004, he relocated to Silkeborg, Denmark, where he lives with his Danish wife, Hanna.
Partial Memory Loss and Autobiography:
Powell's life has been chronicled in three books: George Tremlett's "Slade," Chris Charlesworth's "Feel the Noize," and Noddy Holder's "Who's Crazee Now?" He is currently working on his own autobiography with Lisa Ling Falkenberg. His partial memory loss from the 1973 accident has required him to rely on notebooks, which have also revealed missed dates due to forgotten appointments.
Recent Dismissal from Slade:
In a shocking turn of events, Powell was recently dismissed from Slade via email. He had been a member of the band for 57 years. Powell has since formed his own band, Don Powell's Slade.
