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On September 14, 1954, Barry Cowsill was born.
Last edited Tue Sep 16, 2025, 04:45 PM - Edit history (4)
I have a Rolodex full of Cowsill posts. Hat tip this year, 2025, for Barry, a poster at Joe.My.God.
https://www.joemygod.com/2025/09/chatter-away-overnight-open-thread-2721/
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}
Cowsills Milk Commercial, 1969 - American Dairy Association
Cowsills Enthusiast
705 subscribers
4,585 views Dec 20, 2023
The Cowsills in a milk commercial for the American Dairy Association in 1969. The song featured is “The Milk Song” from the Cowsills’ Milk EP.
Credit goes to Hagley Digital Archives.
Cowsills Enthusiast
705 subscribers
Cowsills Enthusiast
705 subscribers
4,585 views Dec 20, 2023
The Cowsills in a milk commercial for the American Dairy Association in 1969. The song featured is “The Milk Song” from the Cowsills’ Milk EP.
Credit goes to Hagley Digital Archives.
Cowsills Enthusiast
705 subscribers
Fri Mar 18, 2022: On March 18, 1969, the Cowsills performed "Hair" on the Wonderful World of Pizzazz TV special.
The Cowsills Hair 1969 IN COLOR !!
3,039,660 views Aug 18, 2016
looker1208
2.74K subscribers
A video made for the Wonderful World of Pizzazz TV special, aired on March 18, 1969. Sorry for the logo but it arrived to me that way. As a side note, they also filmed a video as well for the song What is Happy for this special. It can be found elsewhere on YouTube.
3,039,660 views Aug 18, 2016
looker1208
2.74K subscribers
A video made for the Wonderful World of Pizzazz TV special, aired on March 18, 1969. Sorry for the logo but it arrived to me that way. As a side note, they also filmed a video as well for the song What is Happy for this special. It can be found elsewhere on YouTube.
I don't know if this is from the same show. It's a great song, so here it is anyway. This video made its first appearance in the March 19, 2025, post.
Groovy Movies: The Cowsills "Good Vibrations" LIVE on U.S. TV 1969
RockShorts
19.9K subscribers
178,042 views Aug 26, 2012
No description has been added to this video.
RockShorts
19.9K subscribers
RockShorts
19.9K subscribers
178,042 views Aug 26, 2012
No description has been added to this video.
RockShorts
19.9K subscribers
Sun Jan 20, 2013: Favorite Cowsills song. Do you have one?
(snerk)
Hair by The Cowsills
BobCfav
1.03K subscribers
878,074 views Sep 26, 2007
Gaga at the gogo??? Do I hear a brand new verse added in?
BobCfav
1.03K subscribers
878,074 views Sep 26, 2007
Gaga at the gogo??? Do I hear a brand new verse added in?
Reply, from orleans:
Sun Jan 20, 2013: actually it's probably one of my top 50 favorites!
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
Added, for 2025: let's do that in color. This is said to be the Cowsills' first national TV appearance, on "The Ed Sullivan Show," on Sunday, October 29, 1967.
The Cowsills 1967 Rehearsal & On Air -The Rain The Park & Others Things & Top 40 Medley (Stereo Mix)
Kelly's Classics
26.5K subscribers
293,436 views Apr 13, 2025
this video shows the missing microphone audio at the beginning of The Rain The Park & Other Things live on national TV Sunday October 29th,1967.It also shows the rehearsal of the song the day before their appearance.That rehearsal went good as the recording shows,We get to see the on air performance about 40 seconds in once all the sound issues were worked out...The group carried on as normal throughout the song & then went on to do a family introduction w each member doing a part of a top 40 song.The audio seemed impressed by their 1st TV appearance on nation wide TV.
Kelly's Classics
26.5K subscribers
Kelly's Classics
26.5K subscribers
293,436 views Apr 13, 2025
this video shows the missing microphone audio at the beginning of The Rain The Park & Other Things live on national TV Sunday October 29th,1967.It also shows the rehearsal of the song the day before their appearance.That rehearsal went good as the recording shows,We get to see the on air performance about 40 seconds in once all the sound issues were worked out...The group carried on as normal throughout the song & then went on to do a family introduction w each member doing a part of a top 40 song.The audio seemed impressed by their 1st TV appearance on nation wide TV.
Kelly's Classics
26.5K subscribers
Let's do one more, this one from 1968 at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. Dick Cowsill, born in 1949, was either still in basic training or had just completed basic training and was stationed there.
The Cowsills • “Indian Lake” • LIVE 1968 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]
ReelinInTheYears66
780K subscribers
1,158,790 views Premiered Apr 15, 2024
Reelin’ In The Years Productions has available for licensing over 30,000 hours of music footage spanning 90 years. Additionally, we have more than 8,000 hours of in-depth interviews with the 20th century’s icons of Film and Television, Politics, Comedy, Literature, Art, Science, Fashion, and Sports.
To search for footage please visit our online database at http://reelinintheyears.com.
Note: these clips are available on YouTube for producers, directors, researchers and clearance companies for potential use in their projects. Our website on the screen is to protect the footage from being used without our consent and so industry professionals can find us to properly license the footage.
ReelinInTheYears66
780K subscribers
ReelinInTheYears66
780K subscribers
1,158,790 views Premiered Apr 15, 2024
Reelin’ In The Years Productions has available for licensing over 30,000 hours of music footage spanning 90 years. Additionally, we have more than 8,000 hours of in-depth interviews with the 20th century’s icons of Film and Television, Politics, Comedy, Literature, Art, Science, Fashion, and Sports.
To search for footage please visit our online database at http://reelinintheyears.com.
Note: these clips are available on YouTube for producers, directors, researchers and clearance companies for potential use in their projects. Our website on the screen is to protect the footage from being used without our consent and so industry professionals can find us to properly license the footage.
ReelinInTheYears66
780K subscribers
"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
Wed Mar 19, 2025: On March 18, 1969, the Cowsills performed "Hair" on the "Wonderful World of Pizzazz" TV special.
Mon Mar 3, 2025: On March 2, 1956, John Cowsill was born.
Tue Feb 18, 2025: On this day, February 18, 2006, Bill Cowsill Jr. died. Not William Cowsill, the father, but Bill Cowsill, the eldest son
Thu Jan 9, 2025: On this day, January 9, 1948, Bill Cowsill was born.
Tue Sep 17, 2024: On September 14, 1954, Barry Cowsill was born.
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’). TV’s 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’). TV’s Partridge Family was based on the family.
1 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
because he was one of more than a thousand. There were a number of celebrities/former celebrities who went missing, but Barry Cowsill really stuck with me.
RIP 