CALGARY, Alberta (AP) - William Cowsill, lead singer of the 1960s singing family band The Cowsills, which inspired the TV series "The Partridge Family," has died. He was 58.
Cowsill, who was suffering from emphysema, osteoporosis, and other ailments, died in Calgary, Alberta, on Friday, according to the family and Canadian record producer Neil MacGonigill. He had been in deteriorating health.
The Cowsills, inspiration for the "The Partridge Family," recorded a series of top hits between 1967 and 1970, including "The Rain, The Park and Other Things" and "Hair."
Four Cowsill brothers played in the band: Barry on bass, William on guitar, Bob on guitar and organ, and John on drums. Their mother, Barbara, and little sister, Susan, eventually joined the group.
Barry disappeared after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans on Aug. 29. His body was recovered Dec. 28 from the Chartres Street Wharf.
The band's career began in Newport, R.I. They were spotted by a producer for NBC's "Today" show which booked them for an appearance that led to a record deal.
The band broke up in the 1970s. William, the oldest brother, moved to Canada about 35 years ago, where he continued his music career with Blue Northern, The Blue Shadows and the Co-Dependents.
Cowsill is survived by two sons.
R.I.P. Billy Cowsill
R.I.P. Billy Cowsill
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
A really sad story...I feel for the surviving family members.
I visited a friend who lives in Portsmouth, R.I. (home of the infamous Navy prison, among other things). His job was an interesting one...fixing the copper roof flashing on the old Newport mansions (I got to go up on top of one to assist him while I was there). Anyway...he showed me the Cowsills' 'house' in Newport, and I suddenly realized they weren't some little suburban family who painted up their VW van in the driveway...This was more like 'what if the Rockefeller kids had started a band?'...
Let's face it, it's just not that easy to get 'spotted by a producer for NBC's "Today" show'...in the sixties or 'today'...
I visited a friend who lives in Portsmouth, R.I. (home of the infamous Navy prison, among other things). His job was an interesting one...fixing the copper roof flashing on the old Newport mansions (I got to go up on top of one to assist him while I was there). Anyway...he showed me the Cowsills' 'house' in Newport, and I suddenly realized they weren't some little suburban family who painted up their VW van in the driveway...This was more like 'what if the Rockefeller kids had started a band?'...
Let's face it, it's just not that easy to get 'spotted by a producer for NBC's "Today" show'...in the sixties or 'today'...
I didn't get where I am today by being on time...
Billy died in relative poverty. There was a benefit concert just a while back after he had back and hip replacement surgery that completely made him immobile and unable to work. The drop from the top is always a long one unfortunately.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
No worries mate. Obviously he no longer has any worries either. His poor family does not have a pot to pee in by all accounts, so I don't know how they are going to fare now. The only income they ever had was a result of Billy playing gigs and selling the odd CD. The boys will probably have to support mom through this and on into old age.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
True Sheena,
Life can take all sorts of unexpected twists and turns. We should always be thankful for what we have, even if it is meagre by comparison to others.
Life can take all sorts of unexpected twists and turns. We should always be thankful for what we have, even if it is meagre by comparison to others.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
