Please join us as we celebrate Billy’s life on what would have been his 64th birthday on January 9th.
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I hope you knew how much you touched us. They may call it bubble gum music, but I call it youth. Thank you for being a major part of my youth. You are missed.
God Bless
God Bless You, Billy. Never forget when I got to see you and the family and had a vinyl record signed! Loved your work. Rest in peace.
He was one of the great voices of the 1960s and beyond, and is greatly missed.
Billy, rest in peace dear friend. I say dear friend because I’ve always thought of The Cowsills as neighbours even though we’re thousands of miles away. I was a child of the 60’s and grew up on your music and then lost interest for about fifteen years until I was in college and my room mate had a bootleg of one of your concerts. lol. Anyway, he renewed my interest in your family and the extraordinary music you’ve provided to us mere mortals over the years. Losing you was not fair to your family or the world. I know they miss you more than words can express as do I. All i can say is thank you for giving us years of delightful music. May your music play for all eternity!
i meant sat the 18th which is yesterday.rip bill.listened to you today with the blue shadows.
saw the piece on et the other night also.always lots of memories when the cowsills are mentioned from those of us from the sixties.anyway,you will always be in our hearts.your music is with us forever.whether with the family,the blue shadows,co-dependents or anyone else.a belated b-day wish.this sat. is 6 yrs.rip along with barry.
Seeing the ET piece last night brought back memories from many years ago of a special weekend in Norfolk, Virginia when the group came through on a press tour. Spent some time with Bill and got to know a little about the person, not just the entertainer. I was just as impressed with the person as I was with his musical ability. He left us to soon.
R.I.P. Billy
you will never be forgotten
you will always be missed
you will always be loved
Thank you for all you gave us
and left us with. For in a way
you are still in our souls.
We were lucky to have you bring
harmony into our lives with your
siblings. We still enjoy them and
we love them and we see you in them
as well.
Enjoy singing in heaven
until we all meet again.
Billy you were truly a gift From Heaven. Thanks for all the Music.
Bill, You and your family brought so much joy and happiness to my early days. You are truly missed.
I was 14 years old when I got to see the Cowsills’ concert in Columbia, MD. After the show though I got to meet John face-to-face but didn’t get to get close enough to meet the rest of the family. I did get their autographs on my program though. I SO MUCH miss Barry and Bill. I wish I had had the chance to meet Bill and Barry. Bill’s and Barry’s voices were just absolutely angelic and rocking as were all the other Cowsills’. Bill, I am thinking always of you and Barry and play your music so much. I can’t help though but feel an emptiness in my heart for Bill and Barry, and hope to some day meet the family.
Love to the Cowsills,
Your forever admirer, Sher Cheshire
LOVE YOU ALL…………… in peace
To go back in time and here Billy play any of his music would be a gift beyond belief. He could play and sing anything! …and I love it all. I was too young to have followed his career as it was happening, but I am sure enjoying it now. I just wish Billy Cowsill could have known how much of an impact his music made in all kinds of little corners of the world.
I love you, Billy Cowsill! Wish I could have known you.
Only met you once in person, Billy, but you left an impression. Thank you for your music. You are missed. Love & hugs.
I wrote the following years ago (a day or two after Billy passed away) but it still sums up my feelings about Billy pretty well:
Hello to everyone on this sad day.
I’ve got a few somewhat interesting fan stories to share if anyone is interested. I posted this elsewhere but I hope it is ok if I start a new thread.
My name is Rich Panteluk and it is my 32nd birthday today. I am writing because I just heard the news about Billy today. I am very, very sad. I am a big Billy Cowsill fan. I had heard the Cowsill records growing up (I believe my parents had gone to see their live show when they were younger). But I didn’t become a big fan until I saw Billy Cowsill and his band The Blue Shadows at an in- store appearance (A&B sound in Calgary) in the mid-nineties. What a voice and what a performance.
Anyway I live in Calgary, Alberta (so did Billy) and when he started his latest band The Co-dependents I went to see them many, many times. At least ten times probably more. If you haven’t heard the two cds they released, buy them immediately they are sooooo good. My favorite live act to go see around town, without a doubt. I could bring anyone to these shows and they would instantly become fans. It was Billy’s voice (the voice of an angel) that drew everyone in.
I met Billy a few times over the past few years and he was always very gracious and kind signing Cowsill cds, Blue Shadows cds and Co-dependents cds. Unfortunately with Billy’s increasing health problems he became unable to play with the Co-dependents and they started doing shows without him (eventually calling themselves The Joe-Defendents). The band was still great without Billy (they are top notch solid musicians and singers) but the real spark was missing.
Random Billy memory:
I saw one show they played at the Ship and Anchor pub during the Calgary Stampede a few years ago that was unbelievable. The first few songs were stellar but then in the middle of a song Billy fell backward and went down awkward and hard. He was clearly suffering from hip and back problems and was upset about it. He just left the stage and the band was forced to carry on without him. It was hard to watch but I can’t forget how despite the physical problems he faced he always sounded so good.
Another Random Cowsill memory:
I am a musician and one night quite a few years ago I was hosting an open jam at a place called Java Sharks (It went under several years ago). I was playing Don’t Worry Baby by The Beach Boys and this guy came up totally uninvited and started singing the harmonies with me. It wasn’t uncommon to get a few drunk, not so talented people come up and “try” to sing with you so I was very wary. This guy was about my age and he knew the vocal parts well and we sounded great together so we carried on . After we spoke and he told me his name was Del Shannon Cowsill, Billy’s son. He was surprised that I knew so much about his dad. Anyway he borrowed my guitar and went up and did Runaway. It was great, he has some of his dad’s talent for sure. In fact I later asked him to join the band I fronted at the time and he came to one of our gigs and expressed interest in joining but the band broke up before it could actually happen. I have always regretted not pursuing that further.
Another random Cowsill memory:
I went to see Mike Love and Bruce Johnston’s Beach Boys concert here in Calgary in 2001 and John Cowsill had recently started playing with the Beach Boys band (he was great, naturally). Scott Totten the guitarist had generously given me a few backstage passes and I got to meet everybody and get pictures and autographs. I am a huge Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan so it was a real thrill. I told John about his nephew almost joining my band and John told me (I think) that Del moved to B.C. and started a band out there. Again I wished I hadn’t screwed up the chance to play in a band with a Cowsill. Anyway the concert was great. I would probably say that I enjoyed the 7 Brian Wilson concerts I have seen a little more but the band was great and Mike and Bruce sounded in top form. John Cowsill’s leads on Darlin’, I Can Hear Music, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, and Help Me Rhonda were fantastic. What made it even more special for me was looking right behind me in the audience and seeing Billy Cowsill watching with pride as his brother was rocking out onstage. As I am sure many of you know Billy was once considered to join the Beach Boys.
Another story:
I have done some recording with local recording engineer Dave Alcock who runs a great local studio called Sundae Sound. He shared a story about recording a few still unreleased songs by Billy Cowsill that he wished to contribute to a songs-in-the-style of Hank Williams tribute cd. The story is long but the short version is that Billy’s vocal arrangement talents knocked him out as he dealt out these complex vocal parts to people and that when they were all laid down the results were beautiful. One thing that Dave shared with me that has stayed with me is that when recording this one song Billy sang the whole song except a section with some really high notes. Dave asked Billy why he skipped that bit and Billy said, “that’s the high note, we’ll come back to it”. They finished the rest of the vocal and it was time for the high note and Billy was in the vocal room and began to punch himself in the throat! Dave was freaked out and asked him on the talkback what he was doing and Billy said “just warming up and loosening up the vocal chords”. Dave mentioned that he had recorded some aboriginal pow-wow and that some of the singers would also manipulate their throat to increase their range. Sure enough Billy’s vocal had many in studio welling up with tears. A killer vocal and many had a feeling that Billy might not get too many more opportunities to record with his deteriorating health.
Final recollection and my personal favorite:
On Saturday January 21, 2006 I went to the Ship and Anchor pub where they were having their open stage jam. Tim Leacock (Bass player and vocalist in The Co-Dependents) was a special guest playing some of his own stuff and a few covers. In the front watching him was Billy Cowsill! Tim sounded great and Billy and everyone else were enjoying his performance. I live about a block away so after Tim’s set I raced home and grabbed a few cds and went back to the Ship. I first approached Tim and got him to sign the new Co-Dependents cd “Live at the Mecca Cafe Volume 2”. He was happy to sign and said, “Do you know who is sitting over there?”
I said yes, and I just wanted to see if it was cool to go and bug him for an autograph. I didn’t want to bother or upset Billy and appear somewhat like an autograph hound or a stalker. Tim said, “I bet he would be honoured, if you don’t mind him getting barbecue sauce all over your cd covers” (Billy was eating some pub snacks at the time). I asked Tim how Billy was doing (The news of his brother’s death was pretty fresh and Billy’s health was clearly not so great – he was hooked up to a small portable oxygen supply). Tim said, “About as good as can be expected”. Tim also asked if I wanted to play at the open stage and generously offered to let me borrow his guitar but I declined as I was feeling a bit nervous (another regret).
Anyway I went over sheepishly and introduced myself and asked if I could get an autograph and Billy smiled warmly and said “of course”. I didn’t want to mention his health or his brother so I just took out my Co-Dependents cd and he signed it “From Bill Cowsill”. Then I took out The Blue Shadows – On the Floor of Heaven cd and asked him to sign that too. At this he really lit up and said, “You have that?” I told him that I was a big fan and that I had seen him play with the Blue Shadows twice and with the Co-Dependents at least ten times. He signed it (he was a bit shaky) ”To Rich Keep On Rockin From Billy Cowsill”. I remember the following exchange very well; I said “Billy, you have a voice of gold” he looked flattered and he gave me a hug. Tim was looking on and he smiled. I thanked both of them and said take care to Billy and left feeling pretty emotional.
I kept hoping that I would get to hear him sing live one more time. I guess not. But I feel very lucky to have had that opportunity to tell Billy how much his music and singing meant to me. Billy Cowsill will be missed dearly. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones.
Put on a Co-Dependents, Blue Shadows or Cowsills cd and feel slightly better, that is what I am doing.
Keep On Rockin Billy,
Sincerely,
Rich Panteluk
rich.panteluk@shaw.ca
AMAZINGLY, tonight I was going through old tunes on You-Tube as I occasionally do when I ran across “The Rain, The Park & Other Things”…then my curiosity went into Full Cowsill-mode, & then I ended up here having no clue it was Billy’s birthday…wow. It must mean somethin’? Happy birthday Billy…& thanks. 😉
Gone but never ever from our hearts. Wishing you a Happy Birthday,an thinking of you an what you did best;Sing!! Peace be with forever and always.
I miss him. He should still be here singing like a bird.
Happy Birthday, Billy..your voice was magical. You are gone but your music will live on forever, as YOU do in the hearts of so many.
As always, gone but not forgotten. Hope you and Barry are rockin out in Heaven.
Happy Birthday, Billy, Wherever you are. Just want to let you know that you are still remembered, still loved, and still appreciated for all that you gave to us!
I was a high school classmate and a good friend of Bill. We shared many a laugh together in those, maybe not so innocent days of the 60s. We were last together in 1986, at a high school football game, where we promised each other to keep in touch. Sadly, it was the last time I saw him.
I will cherish those days and those memories.
I remember seeing the entire group perform on Atlantic City’s Steel Pier, back in 1969. You guys bring back such wonderful memories. Happy Birthday Billy!
thank you Billy for blessing us with your genius – your songs are a wash of sun and fantasy equaled only by the Beach Boys best
He was a fantastic singer, musician and great songwriter. I was very fortunate that I was able to see him in Newport with all his siblings. Will always remember him.
Billy, you’re always in our hearts…. peace and love to you on this day !