John Cowsill: Difference between revisions

John Cowsill
John Cowsill
	Cowsill in 2013
Background information
Birth name	John Patrick Cowsill
Born	March 2, 1956 (age 68); Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Musician; songwriter; producer;
Instrument(s)	Drums; vocals; keyboards;
Years active	1965–present
Formerly of	The Cowsills, the Beach Boys

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John Patrick Cowsill^[1] (born March 2, 1956) is an American musician, best known for his work as a singer and drummer with his siblings' band the Cowsills. He has been a drummer and vocalist for the Beach Boys touring band, which featured original Beach Boy Mike Love and long time member Bruce Johnston. Cowsill has also played keyboards for the Beach Boys touring band performing Al Jardine's and the late Carl Wilson's vocal parts.^[2] He also has performed and recorded with Jan and Dean.

Early life[edit]

John Patrick Cowsill was born in Newport, Rhode Island to William "Bud" and Barbara Cowsill. He is the second youngest of seven children (Bill, Richard, Bob, Paul, Barry, John, Susan).

Career[edit]

The Cowsills[edit]

In the wake of Beatlemania, John and three of his brothers, Bill, Bob, and Barry, would form their own group solely based around the Liverpool band. Soon after, their mother Barbara and sister Susan would also join. They signed to a label in 1965 and after releasing a few non-commercially successful singles, were transferred to MGM Records in 1967. Their first single with MGM was "The Rain, the Park & Other Things".

John mainly backing vocals, although he sang lead on Silver Threads and Golden Needles. From 1967 to 1969, the family group would have more hit songs such as Indian Lake, We Can Fly, and Hair, they split in 1972, although John would re-appear with the band for most of its reformed tenures. The Cowsills were the main inspiration for the sitcom The Partridge Family.

Tommy Tutone[edit]

In the early 1980s, Cowsill recorded with the one-hit wonder band Tommy Tutone, playing percussion and singing back-up vocals on the band's hit, "867-5309/Jenny," although he did not appear in the video.

The Beach Boys[edit]

Cowsill began playing with the Beach Boys touring band on keyboards in 2000. He moved to the drums in 2008.^[3] His solos for the concerts include "Wild Honey", "Sail On, Sailor", "Darlin'" and "California Dreamin'" on the 2022 tour. In 2011, Cowsill performed alongside the Beach Boys on their 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour.^[4] Cowsill appears on the band's subsequent studio album, That's Why God Made the Radio (2012). He also performed on Mike Love's solo albums Unleash the Love (2017) and Reason for the Season (2018).

Cowsill was let go from the Beach Boys touring crew in 2023. In a podcast recorded April 26, 2023, John said: "A guy, Scott Totten - who is the musical director of the Beach Boys, and I got let go four days ago. We didn't know why, but I think they .... they are definitely going in a different direction. I spoke to Mike and there is no ill will. I know that's hard to believe, but there is just none. It's just .... we're fine. Everybody's fine. It was just a little shock. It's a change. It was going to come anyway and that's just part of life. So, I'm available if anybody needs a really, really good singer and a drummer who may not be the best, but has the best time being one. So, I play really well.”^[5]

Other works[edit]

In 2017, Cowsill joined with Vicki Peterson and Bill Mumy as the band Action Skulls to release an album (also including posthumous contributions from the bassist Rick Rosas) entitled Angels Hear.^[6]

For a time, he was part of Dwight Twilley's band, as was his sister Susan Cowsill.

Personal life[edit]

In October 2003, he married Vicki Peterson of the Bangles.^[7]

Discography[edit]

With the Cowsills[edit]

With Tommy Tutone[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Year	Album details
Year	Album details	1981	Tommy Tutone 2

Singles[edit]

Year	Single
Year	Single	1981	"867-5309/Jenny"

With the Beach Boys[edit]

Albums[edit]

That's Why God Made the Radio (2012)

Singles[edit]

That's Why God Made the Radio (2012)
Isn't It Time (2012)

Mike Love[edit]

Albums[edit]

Unleash the Love (2017)
Reason for the Season (2018)

References[edit]

^ "Family tree of John COWSILL". Geneanet. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
^ "Mempages/Jc_H-Page.Htm". Beachboysband.net. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
^ "John Cowsill Interview || Feeling the Vibe Magazine". Feelingthevibe.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
^ Patrick Doyle (December 19, 2011). "Exclusive: Mike Love 'Looking Forward' to Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour | Music News". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
^ "The Cowsills Podcast". iHeart. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
^ Andy Hermann, "Meet Action Skulls, a New Band Featuring Vicki Peterson, John Cowsill and Bill Mumy", LA Weekly, August 4, 2017.
^ "John Cowsill". August 1, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2021.

External links[edit]

Cowsill discography^{[permanent dead link]}
The Cowsills
The Cowsills: John
The Cowsills
John Cowsill discography at Discogs

[1] "Family tree of John COWSILL". Geneanet. Retrieved April 14, 2023.

[2] "Mempages/Jc_H-Page.Htm". Beachboysband.net. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.

[3] "John Cowsill Interview || Feeling the Vibe Magazine". Feelingthevibe.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2013.

[4] Patrick Doyle (December 19, 2011). "Exclusive: Mike Love 'Looking Forward' to Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour | Music News". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2013.

[5] "The Cowsills Podcast". iHeart. Retrieved August 3, 2023.

[6] Andy Hermann, "Meet Action Skulls, a New Band Featuring Vicki Peterson, John Cowsill and Bill Mumy", LA Weekly, August 4, 2017.

[7] "John Cowsill". August 1, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2021.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|American musician}}
 {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
-| name             = John Cowsill
+| name              = John Cowsill
-| image            = JohnCowsill.jpg
+| image             = JohnCowsill.jpg
-| caption          =
+| caption           = Cowsill in 2013
-| background       = solo_singer
+| background        = solo_singer
-| birth_name       =
+| birth_name        = John Patrick Cowsill
-| alias            =
+| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1956|3|2|mf=y}}
-| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1956|3|2|mf=y}}
+| birth_place       = [[Newport, Rhode Island]], U.S.
+| occupation        = {{hlist|Musician|songwriter|producer}}
-| birth_place      = [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], Rhode Island
-| origin           =
+| instrument        = {{hlist|Drums|vocals|keyboards}}
-| death_date       =
+| years_active      = 1965–present
+| past_member_of    = [[The Cowsills]], [[the Beach Boys]]
-| death_place      =
-| genre            =
-| occupation       = Musician, songwriter, producer
-| instrument       = Drums, percussion, keyboards, vocals
-| years_active     = 1965–present
-| label            =
-| associated_acts  = [[The Cowsills]], [[The Beach Boys]], [[Jan and Dean]], [[Dwight Twilley]]
-| website          =
 }}
-'''John Cowsill''' (born March 2, 1956, in [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], Rhode Island) is an American musician, best known for his work as a singer and drummer with his siblings' band, [[The Cowsills]].  He is currently a drummer and vocalist for [[The Beach Boys]] touring band, which features original Beach Boy [[Mike Love]] and long time member [[Bruce Johnston]]. He has also played keyboards for the "Beach Boys Band", and according to the band's website, he does [[Al Jardine]]'s and the late [[Carl Wilson]]'s vocal parts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beachboysband.net/MEMPAGES/JC_PAGES/JC_H-PAGE.htm |title=Mempages/Jc_H-Page.Htm |publisher=Beachboysband.net |accessdate=July 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119035505/http://www.beachboysband.net/MEMPAGES/JC_PAGES/JC_H-PAGE.htm |archivedate=January 19, 2013  }}</ref> He also has performed and recorded with [[Jan and Dean]].
+'''John Patrick Cowsill'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Family tree of John COWSILL |url=https://en.geneastar.org/genealogy/cowsillj/john-cowsill |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Geneanet |language=en}}</ref> (born March 2, 1956) is an American musician, best known for his work as a singer and drummer with his siblings' band [[the Cowsills]]. He has been a drummer and vocalist for [[the Beach Boys]] touring band, which featured original Beach Boy [[Mike Love]] and long time member [[Bruce Johnston]]. Cowsill has also played keyboards for [[The Beach Boys (touring band)|the Beach Boys touring band]] performing [[Al Jardine]]'s and the late [[Carl Wilson]]'s vocal parts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beachboysband.net/MEMPAGES/JC_PAGES/JC_H-PAGE.htm |title=Mempages/Jc_H-Page.Htm |publisher=Beachboysband.net |accessdate=July 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119035505/http://www.beachboysband.net/MEMPAGES/JC_PAGES/JC_H-PAGE.htm |archivedate=January 19, 2013  }}</ref> He also has performed and recorded with [[Jan and Dean]].
+== Early life ==
+John Patrick Cowsill was born in [[Newport, Rhode Island]] to William "Bud" and Barbara Cowsill. He is the second youngest of seven children ([[Bill Cowsill|Bill]], Richard, Bob, Paul, [[Barry Cowsill|Barry]], '''John''', [[Susan Cowsill|Susan]]).
+== Career ==
+=== The Cowsills ===
+In the wake of [[Beatlemania]], John and three of his brothers, [[Bill Cowsill|Bill]], [[Bob Cowsill|Bob]], and [[Barry Cowsill|Barry]], would form their own group solely based around the Liverpool band. Soon after, their mother Barbara and sister [[Susan Cowsill|Susan]] would also join. They signed to a label in 1965 and after releasing a few non-commercially successful singles, were transferred to [[MGM Records]] in 1967. Their first single with MGM was "[[The Rain, the Park & Other Things]]".
+John mainly backing vocals, although he sang lead on [[Silver Threads and Golden Needles]]. From 1967 to 1969, the family group would have more hit songs such as [[Indian Lake (song)|Indian Lake]], We Can Fly, and [[Hair (Hair song)|Hair]], they split in 1972, although John would re-appear with the band for most of its reformed tenures. The Cowsills were the main inspiration for the sitcom ''[[The Partridge Family]]''.
+=== Tommy Tutone ===
+In the early 1980s, Cowsill recorded with the [[one-hit wonder]] band [[Tommy Tutone]], playing percussion and singing back-up vocals on the band's hit, "[[867-5309/Jenny]]," although he did not appear in the video.
+=== The Beach Boys ===
+Cowsill began playing with the Beach Boys touring band on keyboards in 2000. He moved to the drums in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.feelingthevibe.com/JohnCowsillInterview.shtml |title=John Cowsill Interview &#124;&#124; Feeling the Vibe Magazine |publisher=Feelingthevibe.com |accessdate=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165946/http://www.feelingthevibe.com/JohnCowsillInterview.shtml |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His solos for the concerts include "[[Wild Honey (The Beach Boys song)|Wild Honey]]", "[[Sail On, Sailor]]", "[[Darlin' (The Beach Boys song)|Darlin']]" and "[[California Dreamin']]" on the 2022 tour. In 2011, Cowsill performed alongside the Beach Boys on their [[Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour|50th Anniversary Reunion Tour]].<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Patrick Doyle |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-mike-love-talks-beach-boys-50th-anniversary-tour-20111219 |title=Exclusive: Mike Love 'Looking Forward' to Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour &#124; Music News |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 19, 2011 |accessdate=July 13, 2013 |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310201339/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-mike-love-talks-beach-boys-50th-anniversary-tour-20111219 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cowsill appears on the band's subsequent studio album, ''[[That's Why God Made the Radio]]'' (2012). He also performed on [[Mike Love]]'s solo albums ''[[Unleash the Love]]'' (2017) and ''[[Reason for the Season]]'' (2018).
+[[File:2019_The_Beach_Boys_-_by_2eight_-_DSC4970.jpg|alt=2019_The_Beach_Boys_-_by_2eight_-_DSC4970|thumb|Cowsill performing with [[The Beach Boys]] in 2019.]]
+Cowsill was let go from the Beach Boys touring crew in 2023. In a podcast recorded April 26, 2023, John said: "A guy, Scott Totten - who is the musical director of the Beach Boys, and I got let go four days ago. We didn't know why, but I think they .... they are definitely going in a different direction. I spoke to Mike and there is no ill will. I know that's hard to believe, but there is just none. It's just .... we're fine. Everybody's fine. It was just a little shock. It's a change. It was going to come anyway and that's just part of life. So, I'm available if anybody needs a really, really good singer and a drummer who may not be the best, but has the best time being one. So, I play really well.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Cowsills Podcast |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-the-cowsills-podcast-80679942/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=iHeart |language=en}}</ref>
+=== Other works ===
+In 2017, Cowsill joined with Vicki Peterson and [[Bill Mumy]] as the band Action Skulls to release an album (also including posthumous contributions from the bassist [[Rick Rosas]]) entitled ''Angels Hear''.<ref>Andy Hermann, [http://www.laweekly.com/music/vicki-peterson-bill-mumy-and-john-cowsill-are-action-skulls-song-premiere-8500022 "Meet Action Skulls, a New Band Featuring Vicki Peterson, John Cowsill and Bill Mumy"], ''[[LA Weekly]]'', August 4, 2017.</ref>
-==History==
-In the early 1980s, he recorded with the [[one hit wonder]] band [[Tommy Tutone]], playing percussion and singing back-up vocals on the band's hit, "[[867-5309/Jenny]]," although he did not appear in the video.
 For a time, he was part of [[Dwight Twilley]]'s band, as was his sister [[Susan Cowsill]].
+== Personal life ==
-In 2003, he married [[Vicki Peterson]] of [[The Bangles]].
+In October 2003, he married [[Vicki Peterson]] of [[the Bangles]].<ref>{{cite web |date=August 1, 2008 |title=John Cowsill |url=http://cowsill.com/history/john.html |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref>
+== Discography ==
+=== With the Cowsills ===
+{{Further information|The Cowsills#Discography}}
+=== With [[Tommy Tutone]] ===
+==== Studio albums ====
+{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
+! rowspan="2" |Year
+! rowspan="2" |Album details
+|- style="font-size:smaller;"
+|-
+|1981
+| align="left" |'''''[[Tommy Tutone 2]]'''''
+|}
+==== Singles ====
+{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
+! rowspan="2" |Year
+! rowspan="2" |Single
+|- style="font-size:smaller;"
+|-
+|1981
+| align="left" |"[[867-5309/Jenny]]"
+|}
+=== With [[the Beach Boys]] ===
+==== Albums ====
+* ''[[That's Why God Made the Radio]]'' (2012)
+==== Singles ====
+* [[That's Why God Made the Radio (song)|''That's Why God Made the Radio'']] (2012)
+* [[Isn't It Time (The Beach Boys song)|''Isn't It Time'']] (2012)
+=== Mike Love ===
+==== Albums ====
-Cowsill began playing with the Beach Boys touring band on keyboards in 2000.  He moved to the drums in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.feelingthevibe.com/JohnCowsillInterview.shtml |title=John Cowsill Interview &#124;&#124; Feeling the Vibe Magazine |publisher=Feelingthevibe.com |accessdate=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165946/http://www.feelingthevibe.com/JohnCowsillInterview.shtml |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His solos for the concerts include "[[Wild Honey (The Beach Boys song)|Wild Honey]]," and "[[Sail On, Sailor]]." In 2011, Cowsill was confirmed to be performing alongside The Beach Boys on their [[Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour|50th Anniversary Reunion Tour]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Patrick Doyle |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-mike-love-talks-beach-boys-50th-anniversary-tour-20111219 |title=Exclusive: Mike Love 'Looking Forward' to Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour &#124; Music News |work=Rolling Stone |date=December 19, 2011 |accessdate=July 13, 2013}}</ref> Cowsill appears on the band's subsequent studio album, ''[[That's Why God Made the Radio]]'' (2012). He also performed on [[Mike Love]]'s solo albums ''[[Unleash the Love]]'' (2017) and ''[[Reason for the Season]]'' (2018).
+* ''[[Unleash the Love]]'' (2017)
-In 2017, he joined with Vicki Peterson and [[Bill Mumy]] as the band Action Skulls to release an album (also including posthumous contributions from the bassist [[Rick Rosas]]) entitled ''Angels Hear''.<ref>Andy Hermann, [http://www.laweekly.com/music/vicki-peterson-bill-mumy-and-john-cowsill-are-action-skulls-song-premiere-8500022 "Meet Action Skulls, a New Band Featuring Vicki Peterson, John Cowsill and Bill Mumy"], ''[[LA Weekly]]'', August 4, 2017.</ref>
+* ''[[Reason for the Season]]'' (2018)
 == References ==
@@ Line 41: / Line 95: @@
 *[http://www.cowsill.com/history.html The Cowsills]
 *[http://www.cowsill.com/history/john.html The Cowsills: John]
-*[https://archive.is/20121220214106/http://www.srv.net/~roxtar/cowsills.html The Cowsills]
+*[https://archive.today/20121220214106/http://www.srv.net/~roxtar/cowsills.html The Cowsills]
+*{{Discogs artist}}
+{{The Partridge Family}}
 {{Tommy Tutone}}
-{{The Partrduge Family}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}

v t e The Partridge Family
David Cassidy Shirley Jones Danny Bonaduce Susan Dey Jeremy Gelbwaks Brian Forster Suzanne Crough Dave Madden
Studio albums	The Partridge Family Album Up to Date Sound Magazine A Partridge Family Christmas Card Shopping Bag The Partridge Family Notebook Crossword Puzzle Bulletin Board
Other albums	At Home with Their Greatest Hits The World of the Partridge Family Greatest Hits The Definitive Collection Come On Get Happy!: The Very Best of The Partridge Family
Singles	"I Think I Love You" "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted" "I'll Meet You Halfway" "I Woke Up in Love This Morning" "It's One of Those Nights (Yes Love)" "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" "Looking Through the Eyes of Love" "Walkin in the Rain"
Animated series	Partridge Family 2200 A.D.
TV specials	Thanksgiving Reunion with The Partridge Family and My Three Sons Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story
Related articles	Episodes Discography David Cassidy discography The Cowsills Wes Farrell Rick Segall Goober and the Ghost Chasers Fred Flintstone and Friends