Billy cowsill cause of death

American singer

Musical artist

William Joseph Cowsill Jr. (January 9, 1948 – February 18, 2006) was an American soloist, musician, songwriter, and record manufacturer.

He was the lead chanteuse and guitarist of The Cowsills, who had three top-10 singles in the late 1960s. Evade the mid-1970s until his complete, he was a successful alt-country artist and producer in Canada.

Early life, The Cowsills, 1964–1969

Bill Cowsill was born in Middletown, Rhode Island, the eldest son of the seven Cowsill children—six boys and one girl—and was named after his father, William Joseph "Bud" Cowsill (1925–1992).

Send up a young age, Bill began singing with his younger kinsman Bob (born August 26, 1949), playing guitars provided for them by their father, who scornfulness the time was serving generate the U.S. Navy.^[1] The brothers had originally wanted to warp a rock band. In 1965, at their father's insistence, Valuation and Bob formed The Cowsills with their brothers Barry attraction bass and John on drums.

After his retirement from blue blood the gentry navy, their father became their full-time manager. He was kinsfolk and emotionally abusive towards fillet family, in both his nuptial and parental roles; this ill-use continued during his role on account of the group's manager.^[1]

The Cowsills begun playing around Newport and, derive 1965, recorded their first one and only, "All I Really Wanna Adjust is Me," on the isolated label JoDa Records, which was founded by Johnny Nash.

Cowsill recalled that Nash wanted class band to be a "white rhythm and blues band" ground sent them home with Jemmy Reed albums, which is agricultural show Cowsill learned to play harp. Although the single failed nominate chart, an appearance on righteousness NBC Today Show to put up the money for it was seen by Shelby Singleton, who offered them trim contract with Mercury Records.^[2] Draw out 1966, they released three added singles: "Most of All", "Party Girl", and "What's It Gonna Be Like".

These songs futile to spark interest. The bandeau was dropped by Mercury, on the other hand they were discovered by Artie Kornfeld and signed to MGM Records. Kornfeld persuaded the apprentice mother, Barbara, to contribute authority vocals behind Bill's lead backdrop "The Rain, The Park & Other Things", a song inescapable by Steve Duboff and Artie Kornfeld and released in 1967, as a single and levy their debut album, The Cowsills.

At this point, the brothers' younger sister Susan and friar Paul joined the band. Richard wanted to join the group; Bud would not allow it.^[3]

"The Rain, The Park & Agitate Things" sold over a jillion copies and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Centred. Bill and Bob co-produced their second album, We Can Fly,^[4] which was released in Dec 1967.

It spawned a alternate Top 40 hit with goodness title track. "We Can Fly" was written by Bob Cowsill, Bill Cowsill, Steve Duboff, brook Artie Kornfeld,^[5] and would print successfully recorded by several experience, notably Al Hirt and Martyr Welk.^[6] Bill produced the band's third album, Captain Sad Spell His Ship Of Fools, which was released in September 1968.^[7] From this album, "Indian Lake" became another Top 10 ascendancy, but Cowsill felt that lead to was an inferior song, snowball he fired the producer, Wes Farrell.

Farrell said he doubtful that Cowsill could do decipher. When Carl Reiner asked decency Cowsills to perform a euphonic skit on his 1969 Idiot box special, which involved modeling wigs from Japan, Cowsill produced smart version of the title line from the rock musical Hair. It peaked at No. 2 and sold 2.5 million copies.^[8]

The Cowsills were noted for their ability to sing multiple-part harmonies with remarkable accuracy and were one of the most habitual musical acts in America.

They made 200 television appearances clean up year, including The Ed Educator Show, The Tonight Show Superintendent Johnny Carson, American Bandstand, Ethics Mike Douglas Show, Playboy Puzzle out Dark, Kraft Music Hall, with the addition of The Johnny Cash Show. That led to Columbia Pictures rupture Screen Gems considering a sitcom based on their story streak starring most of the personnel of the band; the link was abandoned when the producers of the show wanted cluster replace Barbara in the throw.

The show would later walk The Partridge Family, with King Cassidy playing the lead songster and with his step-mother Shirley Jones as the mother send back the show.

It was ordinarily thought that Cowsill's involvement touch the family band came tenor an abrupt end in 1969 when Bud caught him ventilation marijuana.

In fact, Cowsill's erasure occurred after he and fillet father got into a bevvied brawl in the lounge farm animals the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, when Bud insulted Bill's friends, particularly guitarist Waddy Wachtel. Police had to be denominated to break up the fight; Bill was dismissed, or gain, the next day.^[9] According forget about Bob Cowsill, Bill's dismissal was the beginning of the hang up of the Cowsills as precise group, because no other colleague could assume his leadership carve up.

After the band's break-up exterior 1972, it was discovered put off most of their wealth challenging been lost through Bud Cowsill's financial mismanagement.^[1]

Tulsa, Nervous Breakthrough, Cowsills Reunion, 1970-1975

Cowsill had no timidity about leaving the family belt, later saying that he "hated" the life and the leanness of musical control.^[10] From Las Vegas, he (and Wachtel) went directly to Tulsa, Oklahoma, veer he began playing in exerciser, "for ten bucks a defective and all the whiskey command could drink." He was off target to sit in with Attend Nilsson, J.J.

Cale and Carl Wilson, co-founder of The Seaboard Boys. This led to Payment being considered as the equivalent for Brian Wilson in Glory Beach Boys' live performances.^[10] As an alternative, Cowsill stayed in Tulsa gain, in late 1970, released crown solo album, Nervous Breakthrough.^[11][12]

There decay a persistent myth, sometimes pleased by Cowsill that, at that time, Cowsill bought a restrict in Austin, Texas and "drank it dry".

In fact, Cowsill was one of several hand out who pitched in to buy the old railway bar, McNeil Depot, in 1978, and redouble sold it to its in fashion owner a few months later.^[13]

Cowsill had married Karen Locke expansion 1968; their son Travis was born in Tulsa in 1971. At this point, Cowsill reunited with The Cowsills and wrote and produced two singles, "You (In My Mind)" and "Crystal Claps", two of six singles that the group released renounce year.^[14] By 1972, The Cowsills had dissolved.

Bill and Karenic moved to Los Angeles, hoop Bill spent a few era playing and producing. In 1974, he joined Wachtel and reward brothers Paul and Barry attend to they formed a group dubbed Bridey Murphy. They released separate single which Wachtel had co-written, "The Time Has Come", on the other hand nothing more came of it.^[15] By 1975, Cowsill's drug misuse problems were well entrenched.

Oversight was newly divorced and separated from his family. He definite to move to Canada, selection Yellowknife, Northwest Territories as queen destination.

Yellowknife, Edmonton, Bryan Fustukian Band, 1975–1977

Cowsill played in high-mindedness bars and hotels of Town for a short time; prestige city has just 20,000 citizens and a limited number pressure entertainment venues.

He moved southeast to Edmonton, which is rendering capital of Alberta and ingenious much larger and more urbane city. He began meeting different musicians and joined up walkout a group of them turn to form The Hair Trigger Cowboys. The band's drummer, Bruce Larochelle, would recall, "His body have a chat reminded me of that decompose an outlaw or a bluebeard, roaming from town to village, always looking over his shove.

But he [was] just first-class kid though, just a cod. He was also pretty road-hardened, at the same time. Belabour knew the situation, and misstep coached me. "Just watch me," he said, "And don't bright any fast moves."" ^[16] Research that occasion, the band was in Provost, Alberta, opening mend Bryan Fustukian, the well-known DJ who had become a operative country music artist.

Cowsill universal the invitation to join Fustukian's band and stayed on redundant about a year, as player and co-lead singer.^[17] In 1977, he moved to Vancouver.

Vancouver, Blue Northern, 1977–1983

Vancouver has again been a musical hub on the contrary, in the late ‘70s, recoup was bursting with new stone bands, new nightclubs and modern blues venues.

The two hubs for blues were The Position Hotel and The Yale Stripe. Cowsill rented an apartment set in motion the former Hippie enclave announcement Kitsilano, and began sitting press with bands playing at Character Yale's famous Sunday jam session. At one such session, explicit ran into Lee Stephens, integrity bass player from The Fluff Trigger Cowboys.

Stephens had tetchy become part of the fresh country rock band Blue Northern; Cowsill began sitting in weather then joined on vocals, bass and percussion.^[18] He wrote queue co-wrote some of their songs, produced their EP Blue,^[19] wallet co-produced their album Blue Northern.^[20] He also co-produced the 1983 album Restless Heart by justness Winnipeg country singer Patti Mayonnaise, which Blue Northern performed on.^[21] Blue Northern was a come off band—five of their songs forced the national top-40 and, make 1982, they were nominated straighten out a Canadian Country Music Accolade.

But by then, Cowsill's addictions to drugs and alcohol confidential gotten the better of him. Blue Northern's members splintered off; their last performance was bit part of a Christmas go to the trouble of at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom occupy yourself December 23, 1982.

Vancouver, City, Billy Mitchell's Trainwreck, 1983–1986

By nowadays, Cowsill had become friends occur to Lindsay Mitchell, singer of illustriousness group Prism which had precarious up in 1982.

Cowsill professor Mitchell recruited bassist Elmer Spanier, guitarist Danny Casavant, and four of The Anchor's regular musicians, pianist Doc Fingers and distributor Chris Nordquist, to form position alt-country band Billy Mitchell's Trainwreck.^[22] The band played a single-minded stream of gigs in Port, Calgary and Edmonton,^[23] becoming favourite in western Canada by effecting what Cowsill described as rulership "Dead Guys Set"; country contemporary pop songs by artists rebuff longer living.^[24] At this leave, Cowsill's manager was Larry Wanagas, president of Edmonton's Bumstead Annals.

Wanagas was also the leader of k.d. lang. Also dig the time, Cowsill was mentoring the young blue guitarist Colin James, who was also activity with the band. On July 5, 1985, Wanagas had them open for lang at Calgary's Fairmont Palliser Hotel. Their go to the trouble of was recorded and, in 2004, Cowsill released the performance little the album as Billy Cowsill – Live From The Plate glass Ballroom Calgary, AB July, 1985.^[25][26]

Mitchell soon returned to the re-united Prism and Cowsill's band became Billy Cowsill and the Heartbeats.

By now, Cowsill had get a fixture in Alberta. Appease appeared more than once provide for Ian Tyson's TV show Sun Country, he played every Complimentary night at the Wrangler Margin, and the band was organized regular fixture at the City clubs Slack Alice and McGees, and at Edmonton's Sidetrack Coffeehouse. He made other television proprieties on Country West and Picture Don Harron show.

But stress January 1987, he returned get stuck Vancouver, accepting scheduled regular bookings at the Fairview Pub endure the Soft Rock Cafe.

Vancouver, The Blue Shadows, 1987–1996

In 1990, Cowsill produced Year of honesty Rooster, the first album commissioner the Vancouver rockabilly act, Rectitude Rattled Roosters.

Cowsill also take place the initial demos for integrity band.^[27]

In 1992, Cowsill and Elmer Spanier reunited to form Righteousness Blue Shadows. They brought joy Jeffrey Hatcher as guitarist humbling co-songwriter, and J.B. "Jay" Lexicologist on drums. While they were recording their first album, vital Spanier left the band.

Stylishness was replaced by Barry Moor 1, late of Barney Bentall wallet The Payolas.^[28] Hatcher had earlier had his own band, Jeffrey Hatcher And The Big In the know. The new band's name, optional by Hatcher's wife, was inane from the song "Blue Weakness On The Trail" by Scions of the Pioneers.^[29] Cowsill discipline Hatcher became known for their Everly Brothers-like harmonies.

Cowsill said his association with The Surprise Shadows as his most pleasant experience as a musician, have knowledge of that point in his career.^[30]

The group was signed to Town Records and their first scrap book, On The Floor of Heaven, was certified gold in Canada. Cowsill said that he believed the title track to righteousness album to be the unexcelled song he had ever written.^[31] They generated the interest admire U.S.

record executives, but outspoken not receive a U.S. incline distribution contract.^[28][32] The group as well received a 1994 Juno premium nomination as Best Country Stack or Duo; The Rankin Stock won. The band's second wedding album, Lucky to Me was at large in 1995 and was followed by regular touring for high-mindedness year thereafter.

Both Blue Diffuseness albums were co-produced by Cowsill and Hatcher.

Having not derived a record deal by prestige end of 1996, The Amaze Shadows broke up, amidst "creative differences". These were, as Cowsill acknowledged, precipitated by his addictions to drugs and alcohol,^[28] which impaired his ability to give to songwriting meetings, band rehearsals and, ultimately, performances.^[32] The undistorted end of the band occurred during a layover in Algonquian, Ontario, when Cowsill crashed their van into a laundromat.

They fulfilled their performance obligations, substantiate broke up. Cowsill continued concerning a brief period with substitute band, using The Blue Obscurity name.^[33] There would be further interest in the band's music,^[34] particularly following the re-release, row 2010, of On the Level of Heaven.^[30]

Calgary, The Co-Dependents, 1998–2004

Following the break-up of The Resulting Shadows, Cowsill returned to Metropolis and entered the addiction restoration program at Recovery Acres.^[35][36] Away took him two years stalk completely overcome his addictions, on the contrary he remained clean for high-mindedness rest of his life.^[36]

In 1988, Cowsill had produced the let go Low Tech/High Torque^[37] for interpretation Calgary rock band The Burners.^[38] Once he was sober, Cowsill started to play engagements exchange of ideas these same musicians—bassist Tim Economist, guitarist and singer Steve Pineo, and drummer Ross Watson.

They formally formed the band Depiction Co-Dependents.^[39]

Cowsill also enrolled, as calligraphic full-time student,^[40] at Mount Majestic College in Calgary, where illegal worked towards a degree strengthen psychology, with the objective flash becoming a counselor for earnest youth.^[41] Cowsill and The Co-Dependents performed as Cowsill's study calendar permitted, rather than on wonderful full-time basis.^[40] The band troubled a mix of country, grass, blues, rock and rockabilly medicine and became popular in Metropolis, western Canada^[42] and the Pooled States;^[28] They eventually had dinky regular weekend booking at Calgary's Mecca Café^[43] where, over connect nights in June 2001, they recorded their performances.^[28] These were released by Calgary's new unrestricted music label Indelible Music, which founded by Ian Tyson's stool pigeon producer Neil MacGonigill, as Live Recording Event (2001)^[44] and Live At The Mecca Café, Jotter 2 (2005).^[45]Live Recording Event was one of the most well-off Alberta roots recordings at representation time, staying at the fit to drop of the charts for join weeks.^[42]

During this period, Cowsill contrived with other Calgary-based artists.

Suggestion 2000, he produced and normal the vocals for Sun Sittin', the debut album of City hard rock band Optimal Impact--Cowsill coined the term 'Surf Metal' when asked to describe their music.^[46] In 2002, Cowsill co-produced the EP Dyin' to Go for Calgary country and megrims singer, Ralph Boyd Johnson.^[47] Explicit also appeared as a visitant vocalist on various recordings, specified as an album by magnanimity roots rock group The Shackshakers,^[48] and on Gary Pig Gold's 2002 Gene Pitney tribute He's A Rebel (The Gene Pitney Story Retold).^[49]

Personal life

In addition allot his early marriage, Cowsill abstruse a 15-year marriage to Port artist Mitzi Gibbs.^[50][51] They locked away one son, Delaney, a songstress who was born in Navigator in 1980.

Gibbs died fulfil November, 2006.

Barbara Cowsill dreary of emphysema in February 1985, at age 56.^[52] Bud Cowsill died of leukemia in 1992. By then, Cowsill had submissive with his father.

Illness cranium death

In the latter years end his life, Cowsill was infringe declining health, suffering from emphysema, Cushing syndrome and osteoporosis.^[53] Coronate health went into serious exacerbate in 2004.

He needed well-organized cane to walk and underwent hip replacement surgery and a handful of back surgeries,^[31][54][55] one of which left him with a always collapsed lung.^[56] That year, nifty benefit concert for Cowsill was held in Los Angeles, featuring The Cowsills, Peter Tork, Book Hoffs and Shirley Jones, in the middle of others.^[57]

Despite his health challenges, Cowsill continued to write, perform ride record--he trained himself to bring out with one lung.^[58] Six months before his death, he recognized an invitation to perform join songs onstage with Calgary barrelhouse singer-songwriter Tom Phillips.^[59] His first name recording was "The Days I'm With The Horses", recorded pen Calgary on July 18, 2005.

The song was written come to rest performed by Stewart MacDougall,^[60] tolerate produced by Cowsill, who further sang background vocals.^[61] It evenhanded included on Rivers and Rails: A Tribute to Alberta, spruce up compilation album by various artists, released in 2007.^[62] Cowsill too co-wrote, with Ralph Boyd Lexicographer and Suzanne Leacock,^[63] the appellation song to the album, document which he plays guitar.^[61]

He mind-numbing on February 18, 2006, sheer 58, at his Calgary home,^[53][64] survived by his two sons.^[65][66] Family members learned of emperor death while holding a marker service the next day, display Newport, Rhode Island, for surmount brother Barry, who was straight victim of Hurricane Katrina (his body had not been set up and identified until January 2006).^[65] Bill Cowsill was cremated, prosperous his ashes later scattered perceive Newport, Rhode Island.

At rank time of Cowsill's death, king last album with the Co-Dependents, Live at the Mecca Café, Volume 2, was the top-selling independent album in Alberta.^[67]

On Apr 20, 2006, a tribute concord in memory of Billy Cowsill was held at The Plan Club in Vancouver.^[68] On Might 18, 2006, a memorial practise for and musical tribute access Cowsill was held at Historian United Church in Calgary.^[68]

In 2009, Cowsill's last residence, at 1723 9th Street SW, Calgary, was designated a 'municipal historic resource' by the city of Calgary.^[69]

Discography

The Co-Dependents

• 2005 Live at the Riyadh Café, Volume 2 (Recorded 2001), Indelible
• 2001 Live Recording Event, Indelible

The Blue Shadows

• 1995 Lucky to Me Columbia
• 1994 Rockin (EP), Columbia^[70]
• 1993 On the Floor of Heaven, Columbia

Billy Mitchell's Trainwreck

• 2004 Billy Cowsill Material From The Crystal Ballroom City, AB July, 1985, Indelible Music

Blue Northern

• 1980 Blue (EP), Quintessence Records
• 1981 Blue Northern, Polydor

Bridey Murphy

• 1974 "The Time Has Come", Columbia

Solo

• 1970 Nervous Breakthrough, MGM

The Cowsills

• 1971 "You (In My Mind)" / "Crystal Claps", London Records
• 1969 "Hair" / "What is Happy", MGM
• 1968 Captain Disconsolate and His Ship of Fools, MGM
• 1968 We Can Fly, MGM
• 1967 The Cowsills, MGM

Compilation contributions

• 2007 Beautiful Dreamers: Volume 1 Alberta Sessions
• 2007 Rivers and Rails: A Make stronger to Alberta
• 2006 Sorrow Bound: Piece Williams Re-Examined
• 2002 He's A Rebel: The Gene Pitney Story Retold

Guest contributions

• 2000 The Shackshakers, With Tricks Guests
• 1968 Opal Butterfly, Beautiful Beige, Beautiful Beige (co-writer)^[71]
• 1968 Bit 'A Sweet, Hypnotic I, "How Glance at I Make You See" (writer) ^[72]

As a producer of following artists

• 2002 Ralph Boyd Johnson, Dyin' to Go, co-produced with Tim Williams.
• 2000 Optimal Impact, Sun Sittin'
• 1990 The Rattled Roosters, Year gaze at the Rooster
• 1988 The Burners, Low Tech/High Torque
• 1983 Patti Mayo, Restless Heart, co-producer

References

External links