John Cowsill Honors Brother Billy with New Album and Calgary Shows
John Cowsill, drummer and vocalist for the iconic family band The Cowsills, is paying heartfelt tribute to his late brother Billy with a new album and a series of performances. The project, titled Long After the Fire, features songs written by Billy and his brother Barry, both of whom have passed away.
Early Days and Unconventional Beginnings
John Cowsill's musical journey began at a remarkably young age. He recalls joining his siblings in The Cowsills when he was just seven years old. Their early bar performances were often shut down by police, not due to rowdiness, but because of the band members' youth. To comply with regulations, the children were required to stay in a backstage area during breaks, often finding themselves in liquor-storage rooms.
"As long as we were in a room backstage, not in the main room, it was OK," John explains from his home in New York. "So they put us in the liquor-storage room. I would sit on a case of Scotch doing a setlist with my brothers."
The band eventually received special permission from the mayor of their hometown, Newport, Rhode Island, to perform in licensed establishments under strict conditions. The kids were prohibited from sitting at the bar or at tables with drinks between sets.
Musical Memories and Family Legacy
John's early memories are filled with music shared with his older siblings, including brothers Billy, Barry, and Bob. He took over drumming duties from Barry, who briefly held the role before transitioning to bass. The Cowsills rose to fame in the late 1960s, serving as the inspiration for the television series The Partridge Family and producing hits like The Rain, The Park & Other Things and Hair.
Reflecting on his childhood, John shares, "My first memories are when Bill was singing Connie Francis tunes, singing Where the Boys Are and Ricky Nielsen songs. I was four then. I was singing songs like My Hillbilly Baby by Ernest Tubb. I was singing Little Jimmie Dickens' songs in the nightclubs when I was seven, and May the Bird of Paradise (Fly Up Your Nose). I always sang country songs growing up. That's just what I did, and that's what I loved. I ended up doing Johnny Cash songs in the Cowsills show."
A Tribute to Lost Brothers
Last year, John Cowsill and his wife, Bangles co-founder Vicki Peterson, released Long After the Fire, a 12-song collection comprising six songs penned by Billy and six by Barry. The album opens with the country track The Fool is The Last One to Know, co-written by Billy Cowsill and Calgary singer-songwriter Ralph Boyd Johnson.
Tragically, both Billy and Barry are no longer alive. Barry passed away in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina. The family was holding a memorial service for Barry in Newport in 2006 when they received the devastating news that Billy had died in Calgary at the age of 58 after years of declining health.
Calgary's Role in Billy's Life and Music
Billy Cowsill spent the last decade of his life in Calgary, where he became a central figure in the local music scene. After years of struggling with substance abuse, he moved to the city permanently in the 1990s. Members of Calgary's musical community, led by the late Neil MacGonigill, organized an intervention for Billy, which marked a turning point in his life.
In Calgary, Billy formed the band The Co-Dependents with musicians Tim Leacock, Steve Pineo, and Ross Watson. He built a strong network of fellow artists and found a supportive environment that helped him rebuild his career and personal life.
John Cowsill becomes emotional when discussing his brother's deep connection to Calgary. "Calgary saved him," John says, emphasizing the city's role in providing Billy with a community that embraced and supported him during his recovery and artistic resurgence.
Continuing the Musical Legacy
Through Long After the Fire and upcoming shows, John Cowsill aims to keep the memory and music of his brothers alive. The album serves as a poignant reminder of the talent and creativity that defined The Cowsills and Billy's later work in Calgary.
John's tribute not only honors his siblings but also highlights the enduring impact of family bonds and community support in the world of music. As he prepares for performances dedicated to Billy's legacy, John continues to celebrate the rich musical heritage that has shaped his life and career.
