The late, great drummer Cozy Powell was born on this day in 1947. Powell kept the beat for Jeff Beck, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Gary Moore, Robert Plant and Whitesnake, among others. He also filled Carl Palmer's role in ELP after his departure. All told, Powell was a featured drummer on close to 70 albums. He lost his life in a high speed collision on an English motorway in April of 1998.

 

Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on December 29 include...

 

1941 Moody Blues flautist and songwriter Ray Thomas is born.

1942 Band born bassist, singer and songwriter Rick Danko is born.

1955 Pat Benatar's husband and band mate Neil Giraldo is born.

1966 The Beatles record Penny Lane.

1967 Dave Mason quits Traffic (rejoins in ’71).

1968 Day two of the Miami Pop festival features Jimi Hendrix Experience, Fleetwood Mac, the Grateful Dead, Procol Harum, Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, Canned Heat, Joni Mitchell, the Turtles, Three Dog Night, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, Pacific Gas & Electric and the Box Tops. 

1968 Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Jeff Beck, the Pretty Things and the Bonzo Dog band play a festival in Utrecht, Netherlands.

1975 Jefferson Starship’s Grace Slick and Paul Kantner split-up.

1979 The final Paul McCartney and Wings concert performance takes place at the Hammersmith Odeon in London during the closing benefit Concert for the  People of Kampuchea in war-torn Cambodia.  The 20 song set closes with Band on the Run.

1980 Tim Hardin dies of drug overdose in Hollywood.

1982 Jamaican government releases Bob Marley commemorative stamp.

1982 Vinnie Vinent replaces Ace Frehley in KISS.
2000 Bryan Ferry on a flight that a passenger stormed the cabin in an attempt to force a crash. Crew subdued him.

2001 Guns N Roses play Hard Rock in Las Vegas, Axl reportedly orders Slash not be admitted.

2008 Jerry Garcia estate is sued on an unpaid royalties claim by estate of keyboard player Merl Saunders……