Barry Cowsill

Barry Cowsill (September 14, 1954 – September 2005) was an American musician and member of the musical group The Cowsills. He was born in Newport, Rhode Island. The fifth of seven children, Barry soon became the drummer (and later the bass guitar player) of his brothers' band, 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.

Barry participated in various post-heyday incarnations of the family group. Cowsill traveled around playing music and sometimes recording. He met his wife Deborah at a rock club in Boston, Massachusetts called Bunratty's, on Valentine's Day 1987. They were introduced by a mutual friend and music writer for Beat Magazine, AJ Wachtell. They were married at the Cowsills' old family mansion, Halodon Hall, in Newport, RI on June 21, 1987 and Susan and Billy Cowsill were the honored witnesses. They were blessed with two beautiful babies, now grown, Keira Crystal and Collin Tyler Cowsill. Barry is also survived by daughters Brandy and Carrie. Barry has 4 grandchildren, Brandy's girls Leah and Briana and Carries sons Riley and Braedon. Barry spent almost all of his life writing and producing his own music, and performed at many clubs and venues around the country. Barry had many friends who were musicians and he played with them and recorded with them on many occasions. His first solo CD "As Is" was released in the mid '90s, and more recently his final recordings were released by his wife Deborah and their children. It is called "US 1"-- the name he had planned to be his band's name. The CD is available on line at such sites as Amazon, Borders, etc., and Sony Megaforce Records is the distribution company. Barry's first CD "As IS" is possibly available, but "US 1" is readily available now. Barry's wife Deborah and their children live on the Monterey Peninsula in California, and daughter Carrie lives in Texas with her sons. Barry was living in New Orleans when it was hit by Hurricane Katrina, he did leave a very distraught message on sister Susan's voice mail and was never heard from again. There was an immense search for him that ended tragically, as his body was found in late December washed ashore on the Mississippi near the Chartres Street wharf, near the home he and his family lived in for some years in the Marigny, just outside of the French Quarter.

Barry's body was subsequently identified by comparison to dental records. His death was ruled a drowning as a result of floodwaters from the hurricane.

"US 1" has been available to the public for over two years and is still available.

References

• Barry Cowsill dies, 51, Sarnia Observer (ON). Entertainment, Monday, January 9, 2006, p. B4 / FRONT. accessed on October 6, 2006.

External links

• Barry Cowsill at Cowsill.com
• The Cowsills - Newspaper articles