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Music Appreciation
Related: About this forumOn September 14, 1954, Barry Cowsill was born.
Barry Cowsill
Background information
Birth name: Barry Steven Cowsill
Born: September 14, 1954; Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died: c. September 2, 2005 (aged 50); New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Barry Steven Cowsill (September 14, 1954 c. September 2, 2005) was an American musician and member of the musical group the Cowsills.
{snip}
Career
Cowsill in 1967
Cowsill was born in Newport, Rhode Island, the fifth of seven children. As a teenager, he became the drummer (and later the bass guitar player) of the band initially formed by his brothers Bill and Bob Cowsill, playing popular tunes at local dance clubs. By the late 1960s, the band expanded to include younger brother John (on drums), his mother Barbara, older brother Paul, and younger sister Susan. The Cowsills went on to churn out a string of hits ( including the #2's "The Rain the Park and Other Things" and "Hair" ) before officially disbanding by 1972.
After the group broke up, Cowsill moved frequently and worked various jobs including construction and waiting tables. For a time, Cowsill owned a bar in Austin which he admitted he lost because he "drank it dry. I was drinking my face off in those days." Throughout his life, he continued to play music and participated in various post-heyday incarnations of the Cowsills. In 1998, he released his first solo CD, As Is. In 2002, he relocated to his hometown of Newport, Rhode Island. In 2005, Cowsill relocated again to New Orleans. Shortly before his death, he had made plans to enter a Los Angeles rehab facility to seek help for his alcoholism. His flight to Los Angeles had been scheduled for August 28, but those plans were stymied when Hurricane Katrina hit the city on August 29.
Personal life
In 1987, Cowsill married Deborah Scott with whom he had two children (he also had an older daughter). Cowsill and his wife were divorced in 2003.
Death
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans. Cowsill, who chose not to evacuate, weathered the storm in an abandoned warehouse. Cowsill survived the storm but was in need of help. He called his sister Susan from a pay phone (Susan also lived in New Orleans with her family but chose to evacuate) and left four voice mail messages saying he was surrounded by looters and people shooting. Susan Cowsill did not receive the messages until September 2. Cowsill was never heard from again. After an extensive search, Cowsill's body was found under a wharf on the Mississippi River on December 28, 2005. His body was subsequently identified by comparison to dental records. Cowsill's death was attributed to drowning as a result of the flooding following Hurricane Katrina.
The Cowsill family held two memorials for Barry in Newport and New Orleans.
{snip}
Background information
Birth name: Barry Steven Cowsill
Born: September 14, 1954; Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died: c. September 2, 2005 (aged 50); New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Barry Steven Cowsill (September 14, 1954 c. September 2, 2005) was an American musician and member of the musical group the Cowsills.
{snip}
Career
Cowsill in 1967
Cowsill was born in Newport, Rhode Island, the fifth of seven children. As a teenager, he became the drummer (and later the bass guitar player) of the band initially formed by his brothers Bill and Bob Cowsill, playing popular tunes at local dance clubs. By the late 1960s, the band expanded to include younger brother John (on drums), his mother Barbara, older brother Paul, and younger sister Susan. The Cowsills went on to churn out a string of hits ( including the #2's "The Rain the Park and Other Things" and "Hair" ) before officially disbanding by 1972.
After the group broke up, Cowsill moved frequently and worked various jobs including construction and waiting tables. For a time, Cowsill owned a bar in Austin which he admitted he lost because he "drank it dry. I was drinking my face off in those days." Throughout his life, he continued to play music and participated in various post-heyday incarnations of the Cowsills. In 1998, he released his first solo CD, As Is. In 2002, he relocated to his hometown of Newport, Rhode Island. In 2005, Cowsill relocated again to New Orleans. Shortly before his death, he had made plans to enter a Los Angeles rehab facility to seek help for his alcoholism. His flight to Los Angeles had been scheduled for August 28, but those plans were stymied when Hurricane Katrina hit the city on August 29.
Personal life
In 1987, Cowsill married Deborah Scott with whom he had two children (he also had an older daughter). Cowsill and his wife were divorced in 2003.
Death
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans. Cowsill, who chose not to evacuate, weathered the storm in an abandoned warehouse. Cowsill survived the storm but was in need of help. He called his sister Susan from a pay phone (Susan also lived in New Orleans with her family but chose to evacuate) and left four voice mail messages saying he was surrounded by looters and people shooting. Susan Cowsill did not receive the messages until September 2. Cowsill was never heard from again. After an extensive search, Cowsill's body was found under a wharf on the Mississippi River on December 28, 2005. His body was subsequently identified by comparison to dental records. Cowsill's death was attributed to drowning as a result of the flooding following Hurricane Katrina.
The Cowsill family held two memorials for Barry in Newport and New Orleans.
{snip}
Talk about an underrated group.
If you're like me, you have a hard time keeping all the Cowsills straight. Maybe this will help. Wikipedia notes that Bob's fraternal twin brother Richard was never part of the band during its heyday.
The picture of Susan is terrible. I wish I had a better one.
About Us
{snip}
William Joseph Cowsill, Jr.
January 9, 1948 February 18, 2006
Richard James Cowsill
August 26, 1949
Robert Paul Cowsill
August 26, 1949
Paul Mitchell Cowsill
November 11, 1951
Barry Steven Cowsill
September 14, 1954 2005
John Patrick Cowsill
March 2, 1956
Susan Claire Cowsill
May 20, 1959
Barbara Cowsill
July 12, 1928 January 31, 1985
William Joseph Cowsill, Sr.
December 2, 1925 September 29, 1992
{snip}
{snip}
William Joseph Cowsill, Jr.
January 9, 1948 February 18, 2006
Richard James Cowsill
August 26, 1949
Robert Paul Cowsill
August 26, 1949
Paul Mitchell Cowsill
November 11, 1951
Barry Steven Cowsill
September 14, 1954 2005
John Patrick Cowsill
March 2, 1956
Susan Claire Cowsill
May 20, 1959
Barbara Cowsill
July 12, 1928 January 31, 1985
William Joseph Cowsill, Sr.
December 2, 1925 September 29, 1992
{snip}
The Cowsills - The Rain, The Park and Other Things
voxdeorum
6.2K subscribers
474,685 views May 4, 2010
I saw her sitting in the rain, raindrops falling on her
She didn't seem to care, she sat there and smiled at me
Then I knew (I knew... I knew... I knew... I knew) , she could make me happy (happy... happy)
(She could make me very happy) Flowers in her hair (in her hair)
Flowers everywhere (everywhere)
(I love the flower girl) Oh I don't know just why; she simply caught my eye
(I love the flower girl) She seemed so sweet and kind; she crept into my mind
(To my mind... to my mind)
I knew I had to say hello (hello... hello) She smiled up at me
And she took my hand and we walked through the park alone
And I knew (I knew... I knew... I knew... I knew), she had made me happy (happy... happy)
(She had made me very happy) Flowers in her hair (in her hair)
Flowers everywhere (everywhere)
(I love the flower girl) Oh I don't know just why; she simply caught my eye
(I love the flower girl) She seemed so sweet and kind; she crept into my mind
(To my mind ... to my mind)
Suddenly, the sun broke through (See the sun)
I turned around she was gone (Where did she go)
And all I had left was one little flower in my hand
But I knew (I knew... I knew... I knew... I knew) she had made me happy (happy... happy)
(She had made me very happy) Flowers in her hair (in her hair)
Flowers everywhere (everywhere)
(I love the flower girl) Was she reality or just a dream to me
(I love the flower girl) Her love showed me the way to find a sunny day
(Sunny day... sunny day... sunny day)
(I love the flower girl) Was she reality or just a dream to me
voxdeorum
6.2K subscribers
474,685 views May 4, 2010
I saw her sitting in the rain, raindrops falling on her
She didn't seem to care, she sat there and smiled at me
Then I knew (I knew... I knew... I knew... I knew) , she could make me happy (happy... happy)
(She could make me very happy) Flowers in her hair (in her hair)
Flowers everywhere (everywhere)
(I love the flower girl) Oh I don't know just why; she simply caught my eye
(I love the flower girl) She seemed so sweet and kind; she crept into my mind
(To my mind... to my mind)
I knew I had to say hello (hello... hello) She smiled up at me
And she took my hand and we walked through the park alone
And I knew (I knew... I knew... I knew... I knew), she had made me happy (happy... happy)
(She had made me very happy) Flowers in her hair (in her hair)
Flowers everywhere (everywhere)
(I love the flower girl) Oh I don't know just why; she simply caught my eye
(I love the flower girl) She seemed so sweet and kind; she crept into my mind
(To my mind ... to my mind)
Suddenly, the sun broke through (See the sun)
I turned around she was gone (Where did she go)
And all I had left was one little flower in my hand
But I knew (I knew... I knew... I knew... I knew) she had made me happy (happy... happy)
(She had made me very happy) Flowers in her hair (in her hair)
Flowers everywhere (everywhere)
(I love the flower girl) Was she reality or just a dream to me
(I love the flower girl) Her love showed me the way to find a sunny day
(Sunny day... sunny day... sunny day)
(I love the flower girl) Was she reality or just a dream to me
"Hair" by the Cowsills
1,568,853 views Dec 22, 2007
trance23
The Proto-pop pre-Partridge Family ensemble - "The Cowsills" - deconstruct the counter-cultural classic "Hair" for the Saturday Morning Sugar Pops crew
1,568,853 views Dec 22, 2007
trance23
The Proto-pop pre-Partridge Family ensemble - "The Cowsills" - deconstruct the counter-cultural classic "Hair" for the Saturday Morning Sugar Pops crew
Tue Sep 3, 2024: On or about September 2, 2005, Barry Cowsill died.
Thu Aug 29, 2024: Barry Cowsill
Mon Aug 26, 2024: On this day, August 26, 1949, fraternal twins Bob and Richard Cowsill were born.
Tue Mar 5, 2024: On March 2, 1956, John Cowsill was born.
Tue Jan 9, 2024: On this day, January 9, 1948, Bill Cowsill was born.
Thu Sep 14, 2023: On this day, September 14, 1954, Barry Cowsill was born.
Sat Aug 26, 2023: On this day, August 26, 1949, Bob and Dick Cowsill were born.
Thu Mar 2, 2023: On this day, March 2, 1956, John Cowsill was born.
Sat Feb 18, 2023: On this day, February 18, 2006, Bill Cowsill died.
Fri Aug 26, 2022: On this day, August 26, 1949, Bob and Dick Cowsill were born.
Fri Mar 18, 2022: On March 18, 1969, the Cowsills performed "Hair" on the Wonderful World of Pizzazz TV special.
Thu Feb 18, 2021: On this day, February 18, 2006, Bill Cowsill died.
Mon Mar 2, 2020: Born on this day, March 2, 1956, John Cowsill.
Hat tip, This Day in Rock. The site is now defunct.
1956 BORN ON THIS DAY, JOHN COWSILL, THE COWSILLS, (1967)
Posted on 12:49 AM by STU SWEATMAN
1956 Born on this day, John Cowsill, The Cowsills, (1967 US No.2 single The Rain, The Park & Other Things, 1969 US No.2 single the theme from Hair). TVs Partridge Family was based on the family.
Posted on 12:49 AM by STU SWEATMAN
1956 Born on this day, John Cowsill, The Cowsills, (1967 US No.2 single The Rain, The Park & Other Things, 1969 US No.2 single the theme from Hair). TVs Partridge Family was based on the family.
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On September 14, 1954, Barry Cowsill was born. (Original Post)
mahatmakanejeeves
Tuesday
OP
hlthe2b
(104,971 posts)1. The hours, days, weeks after Katrina were just horrendous... All the death, destruction, unusual...
...the latter especially references the alligators waiting to "greet" and menace rescue workers in flooded areas or those returning to devastated homes... a very unexpected and somewhat grim welcome committee (given they may well have dispatched with some of the dead in these homes).
But, I remember when Barry Cowsill's body was found... so sad.