A thunderous celebration of rhythm, legacy, and the enduring heartbeat of classic British rock
Following the unexpected chart success of “My Sharona”, which reached number one on the Heritage charts and remained there for eleven weeks, The Don Powell Band chose to look backward with pride rather than chase novelty. Their follow-up release, “I Am The Beat”, reimagines a classic track from 1981 and transforms it into a statement of intent. Anchored by the power and authority of Don Powell, legendary drummer of Slade, the song stands as both a tribute to rock history and a reaffirmation that rhythm remains the lifeblood of enduring music.
From its opening moments, “I Am The Beat” announces itself as a celebration of percussion and presence. This is not merely a cover or a nostalgic exercise. It is a bold reconstruction, built on a large, muscular production that emphasizes weight, drive, and clarity. What makes this version especially striking is its dual-drummer approach. Powell is joined by another titan of British rock, Bev Bevan, whose work with Electric Light Orchestra, Black Sabbath, and The Move places him among the most respected drummers of his generation. The pairing is not competitive but complementary, creating a layered rhythmic force that feels ceremonial, almost triumphant.
The song’s core message is both literal and symbolic. “I Am The Beat” asserts rhythm as identity, as purpose, as a form of self-definition. In the hands of Don Powell, this idea carries particular resonance. As one of glam rock’s most powerful and precise drummers, Powell has always embodied the concept of the beat as leadership rather than accompaniment. Here, the song becomes a declaration from a musician who has spent decades driving bands forward from behind the kit, shaping songs not through flash but through authority and restraint.
Musically, the production embraces a classic big sound. Guitars are full and confident, the low end is solid, and the drums dominate without overwhelming. The twin-drum arrangement adds depth and dimension, giving the track a sense of movement that feels both grounded and expansive. There is a sense of discipline in the performance, a shared understanding between seasoned players who know when to strike hard and when to pull back. It is rock music played by veterans who respect the architecture of a song as much as its energy.
Culturally, this release speaks to a broader truth about legacy acts done right. Rather than leaning solely on past glories, The Don Powell Band reframes them. By following a chart-topping success with a deep, rhythm-driven classic, the band demonstrates confidence in their audience and in the material itself. This is music aimed at listeners who understand lineage, who recognize the weight of names like Powell and Bevan, and who appreciate craftsmanship over trend.
In the end, “I Am The Beat” is not just a recording. It is a meeting of histories, a conversation between two drummers whose careers helped define British rock across multiple eras. It reminds the listener that the beat is not simply counted, it is lived. And when musicians of this caliber declare themselves the beat, it is not bravado. It is fact.