When Rock Titans Played and Played Along: Cozy Powell and Robert Plant’s Musical Collaboration and Pie-Slinging Antics on “Tiswas”
In the vast and interwoven world of British rock music, few partnerships are as unexpected and endearing as the one between powerhouse drummer Cozy Powell and legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant. Though hailing from different corners of the rock landscape—Powell with his hard-hitting background in bands like Rainbow and Jeff Beck Group, and Plant with his ethereal mystique from Zeppelin’s mythic ascent—the two artists crossed creative paths in the early 1980s, leaving behind a mark that was both musically dynamic and delightfully whimsical.
Their most notable collaboration came in 1982 on Robert Plant’s debut solo album, Pictures at Eleven. This album marked a critical turning point in Plant’s post-Zeppelin career, as he sought to establish a sound that paid homage to his roots while venturing into new territory. Cozy Powell’s thunderous drumming provided the perfect sonic foundation for two standout tracks: the brooding and cinematic “Slow Dancer” and the soulful, emotionally raw “Like I’ve Never Been Gone.” Powell’s percussive force added depth and edge to Plant’s more introspective compositions, striking a balance between the grandeur of Zeppelin and the more personal tone Plant was crafting in his solo identity.
But their chemistry wasn’t limited to the studio. Powell and Plant also shared a moment of unexpected levity on the British children’s television show Tiswas, known for its chaotic, slapstick humor and pie-throwing antics. In one unforgettable segment, the two rock icons appeared together in a game of “Pass the Pie,” joining in the show’s anarchic spirit with a refreshing willingness to not take themselves too seriously. Seeing two of rock’s most respected figures dive headfirst into a pie-slinging contest aimed at children’s entertainment was as charming as it was surreal—a moment that revealed their good humor and sense of fun beyond the spotlight.
This blend of musical power and playful camaraderie highlights a lesser-seen side of the rock legends. Cozy Powell, often viewed as a stoic drum titan, and Robert Plant, the mystical golden god of Led Zeppelin, were also just two friends willing to trade thunderous solos for whipped cream pies. Their connection, however brief in terms of official collaborations, stands as a testament to the camaraderie of that era’s music scene—where artists not only respected one another’s talents but also shared in each other’s joy, humor, and humanity.