19 June 2026
Former Slade drummer Don Powell is back with a new song, recorded by Don & the Dreamers. It’s a country and blues-styled rendition of the traditional American folk tune Rock Island Line, about the railroad of the same name.
Released three weeks ago, the song has steadily climbed the Heritage Chart, debuting in the breakers section at #75 before advancing to #46, and now hitting #37.
Rock Island Line was originally sung as a spiritual by slaves on the plantations of the Mississippi River Valley. It was first transcribed as a folk song in 1929 by Clarence Wilson, who was a cornerstone figure in the history of blues and skiffle music.
Over the years, the song has been famously recorded by Johnny Cash (1957), as well as John Lennon, George Harrison & Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, Graham Bonnet, Long John Baldry, Johnny Horton, Bobby Darin, Harry Belafonte and many others. Early versions go way back to the likes of Lead Belly in 1937 – the first of many recordings he made of this song during his career.
More about Don & The Dreamers below. Here is their recording of Rock Island Line; the official promotional video was filmed on location near Silkeborg, Denmark:
Johnny Cash version:
DON & THE DREAMERS
Don & The Dreamers is a classic rock and blues project fronted by Don Powell, the legendary founding drummer of the 1970s British glam rock band Slade. Formed in 2022 following Powell’s unexpected departure from Slade, the group serves as a fresh musical chapter rooted in 1950s-style rockabilly, blues, and old-school rock.
The group consists of highly seasoned musicians who have collectively performed on over 1,000 albums and singles across Scandinavia:
Don Powell (drums): The rhythmic driving force behind Slade’s biggest anthems.
Erik Ove Andersen aka “Curly Erik” (vocals): A veteran Danish blues and rockabilly singer with a 50-year career on the music scene.
Henrik Littauer (keyboards/organ): A veteran keyboard player and producer active since the 1970s.
Helge Solberg (bass): An experienced bassist from Bergen, Norway, known for collaborating with various Nordic hitmakers.
Knud Møller & Claus Bøhling (guitars): Well-known guitarists; Bøhling notably played in the 1960s band Hurdy Gurdy.
Rock Island Line was recorded at Media Sound, Copenhagen. Legendary harmonica player Jørgen Lang also participated as a special guest, just a month before he sadly passed away.
Previous releases by Don & The Dreamers:
Something Else (2022 EP): Their high-octane introductory release.
It’s Never Too Late to Be a Rockstar (2023 Album): Their full-length debut album, featuring live-in-the-studio cuts mixed with rockabilly energy.
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood: A smooth blues-rock cover of the Nina Simone classic, featuring Mick Gallagher of The Animals and The Clash on organ.
Far Far Away: A refreshed country/blues tribute arrangement of Don’s favourite Slade song. Trumpet and strings are by the Northern Norwegian String Ensemble, organ by legendary Mick Gallagher and guitar by Peter Brander. Engineer and background vocal by Brian Russel.
Hurdy Gurdy Man: A 2025 cover of the Donovan classic, uniquely featuring a previously unreleased third verse written by George Harrison.
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood by Don & The Dreamers
Far Far Away by Don & The Dreamers
Far Far Away – short cut
Hurdy Gurdy Man by Don & The Dreamers
Also on Bang a Gong:
About Don Powell: For Don Powell it’s all about the drums
Released this year by Don’s former Slade bandmate Jim Lea: Nostalgia
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