The Aylesbury Bahá’i community lost the physical presence of one if its most loved and longstanding members on 24th February the year (2021) when David Powell left this material world and passed on to the next, where he will be free from physical constraints.
Many people outside the local Bahá’i community will know of David because of involvement in the music industry both performing as a drummer in live gigs as part of local bands, plus supporting others in recording sessions. Also, more latterly for his work as a professional photographer.
David was born on 30th April 1948 in Crayford Kent and developed his life-long love of music and rhythm from an early age. By the early 60’s, he was playing as a drummer in a number of popular local and award-winning bands including amongst others: Gearbox, The Dodgers/Bad Finger, Wishing Well, and Revolver. Career highlights also included being signed to Island records and a top 100 hit in the US.
David heard about the Bahá’i Faith through a Mind Body Spirit Festival in 1984 in London. After reading the book “The Bahá’i Faith – An Introduction by Faizi” he got in touch with the local Bahá’is in Aylesbury and subsequently declared as a Bahá’i on his birthday 30th April 1985.
He had a number of significant medical issues during his life including a major brain haemorrhage in 2000, followed by pancreatic Cancer in 2016 and 2019. However each time his deep faith, and strong believe in science, and perseverance saw him make remarkable recoveries. Following his brain haemorrhage in 2000, he was left in a deep coma, which doctors expected to prove fatal. However, his sister Lyn’s faith in him ensured medical support was continued, until one day he uttered his first words: when shown a picture of the eldest son of prophet Baháʼu’lláh, he correctly identified him as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, which was especially joyous because one of his greatest fears had been not being able to speak.
Aside from his great legendary talent as a drummer, his skills as a photographer and great enthusiasm for life; those who were lucky enough to know him personally will remember him for his kind, thoughtful, gentle nature, his interest and care in those he met, and his positive approach to life in all situations.
‘David was a true soldier of the (Bahá’i) Faith. We were always impressed by his depth of knowledge in the Faith’s teachings and his steadfastness in observing them. We will miss his drumming, his sense of humour and the undoubted presence he had at various events. He is now free of all physical barriers to his progress and although not visible to us he remains very near, as near as the breath that mentions his name.’
One of David’s favourite songs
God works in mysterious ways,
Mysterious ways,
Ah.
Hey!
One man, one goal,
Ha, one mission.
One heart, one soul,
Just one sore loser.
One flash of light,
Yeah, one god, one vision.
One flesh, one bone, one true religion,
One voice, one hope, one real decision.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
Give me one vision, yeah.
No wrong, no right,
I’m gonna tell you there’s no black, and no white.
No blood, no stain,
All we need is (one worldwide vision).
One flesh, one bone, one true religion,
One race, one hope, one real decision.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
Whoa-yeah, whoa-yeah, oh yeah!
I had a dream when I was young,
A dream of sweet illusion,
A glimpse of hope and unity
And visions of one sweet union.
But a cold wind blows and a dark rain falls,
And in my heart, it shows,
Look what they’ve done to my dream, yeah!
One vision.
So give me your hands, give me your hearts,
I’m ready! There’s only one direction,
One world and one nation,
Yeah, one vision.
No hate, no fight, just excitation.
All through the night it’s a celebration.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah.
One, one, one, one, one, one, one
One flesh, one bone, one true religion,
One voice, one hope, one real decision.
Give me one light, yeah,
Give me one hope, hey,
Just give me, ah,
One man, one man,
One bar, one night,
One day, hey, hey.
Just gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme fried chicken!
Vision, vision, vision, vision.
Queen – One Vision
One of David’s Favourite Prayers
O Thou kind Lord! Thou hast created all humanity from the same stock.
Thou hast decreed that all shall belong to the same household.
In Thy Holy Presence they are all Thy servants, and all mankind are sheltered beneath Thy Tabernacle; all have gathered together at Thy Table of Bounty; all are illumined through the light of Thy Providence.
O God! Thou art kind to all, Thou hast provided for all, dost shelter all, conferrest life upon all. Thou hast endowed each and all with talents and faculties, and all are submerged in the Ocean of Thy Mercy.
O Thou kind Lord! Unite all. Let the religions agree and make the nations one, so that they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as one home. May they all live together in perfect harmony.
O God! Raise aloft the banner of the oneness of mankind.
O God! Establish the Most Great Peace.
Cement Thou, O God, the hearts together.
O Thou kind Father, God! Gladden our hearts through the fragrance of Thy love. Brighten our eyes through the Light of Thy Guidance. Delight our ears with the
melody of Thy Word, and shelter us all in the Stronghold of Thy Providence.
Thou art the Mighty and Powerful, Thou art the Forgiving and Thou art the One Who
overlooketh the shortcomings of all mankind.
Abdu’l-Bahá