Known as "Pops", he played with The Young Rascals, The Crusaders and the Atlanta Disco Band. He has played on albums by Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Ron Wood, Al Jarreau, Bobby Womack, Terry Bradds, Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Smokey Robinson, Bette Midler, Greg Allman, Bob Dylan, B. B. King and Randy Crawford, among others.

He has also toured with Bette Midler and Olivia Newton John. Popwell appeared in the movie Hard to Hold with Rick Springfield.

Discography

• 1970: Johnny Jenkins - Johnny Jenkins
• 1972: Young, Gifted and Black - Aretha Franklin
• 1972: Amazing Grace - Aretha Franklin
• 1974: Southern Comfort - The Crusaders
• 1976: Free As the Wind - The Crusaders
• 1976: Those Southern Knights - The Crusaders
• 1978: Images - The Crusaders
• 1978: Letta - Letta Mbulu
• 1979: Gimme Some Neck - Ron Wood
• 1979: Praying Spirit - Gloster Williams and Master Control
• 1990: Collection - Larry Carlton
• 2006: Sumner Sessions - Terry Bradds