Don Powell was born as Donald George Powell. He is best known as drummer and co-founding member of English glam rock group Slade.



As a child, Don Powell joined the Boy Scouts where he became interested in the drums after being asked to join the band on a Sunday morning parade. After Etheridge Secondary Modern School he studied Metallurgy at Wednesbury Technical College.



Powell then worked as a metallurgist in a small foundry before turning professional as a drummer. He was athletic and a keen amateur boxer,although an easy going personality, and apparently had his nose broken three times. It was he who was sent around with the hat money collection amongst early audiences.



Don Powell became a member of The Vendors, a band that guitarist Dave Hill later joined. The Vendors became the N'Betweens and bass guitarist / keyboard player / violinist / guitarist Jim Lea got in at an audition.



Don Powell then spotted Noddy Holder playing with Steve Brett & The Mavericks and he and Hill got Holder to join the N'Betweens. They regrouped as Ambrose Slade, changed the name to Slade and the success began.



Don Powell started on a borrowed Olympic kit as a youngster. He moved up to a deep blue Hayman set for Slade work to around the early 1970s. From there he went with Ludwig after meeting company directors. In around 2005-2006 he changed to Pearl Drums as the original Ludwig firm changed ownership. Currently he states he likes a four piece kit with shallow a snare drum.



When Slade split up in 1991 Don Powell owned and operated an antique import/export company before he reconvened the band as Slade II in 1993 with Dave Hill. He has remained active with various line-ups to this day and has released the albums Keep on Rockin' and Cum On Let's Party!. The name of the band was shortened back to Slade in 1997. In 2000 Powell had a small cameo role in the BBC TV version of Lorna Doone.