John Cowsill (born March 2, 1956) is an American musician, best known for his work as a singer and drummer with his siblings' band

The Cowsills The Cowsills are an American singing group from Newport, Rhode Island, six siblings noted for performing professionally and singing harmonies at an early age, later with their mother. The band was formed in early 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob, and ...

. He has been a drummer and vocalist for

The Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American rock band that formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Distinguished by the ...

touring band, which featured original Beach Boy

Mike Love Michael Edward Love (born March 15, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys with his cousins Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson and their friend Al Jardine. Characterized by his nasal tenor and occasional bas ...

and long time member

Bruce Johnston Bruce Arthur Johnston (born Benjamin Baldwin; June 27, 1942) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who is a member of the Beach Boys. Johnston also collaborated on many records with Terry Melcher (his bandmate in Bru ...

. Cowsill has also played keyboards for the "Beach Boys Band" performing

Al Jardine Alan Charles Jardine (born September 3, 1942) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys. He is best known as the band's rhythm guitarist and for occasionally singing lead vocals on singles such as " Help Me, Rh ...

's and the late Carl Wilson's vocal parts. He also has performed and recorded with

Jan and Dean Jan and Dean was an American rock duo consisting of William Jan Berry (April 3, 1941 – March 26, 2004) and Dean Ormsby Torrence (born March 10, 1940). In the early 1960s, they were pioneers of the California Sound and vocal surf music style ...

History

In the early 1980s, Cowsill recorded with the one-hit wonder band

Tommy Tutone Tommy Tutone is an American power pop band, known for its 1981 hit "867-5309/Jenny", which peaked at #4 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Though some people consider the band to be a one-hit wonder, it did reach the Top 40 the year before with "An ...

, playing percussion and singing back-up vocals on the band's hit, "

867-5309/Jenny "867-5309/Jenny" is a 1981 song written by Alex Call and Jim Keller and performed by Tommy Tutone that was released on the album '' Tommy Tutone 2'', on the Columbia Records label. It peaked at No. 4 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart in May ...

," although he did not appear in the video. For a time, he was part of

Dwight Twilley Dwight Twilley (born June 6, 1951) is an American pop/rock singer and songwriter, best known for the Top 20 hit singles "I'm on Fire" (1975) and "Girls" (1984). His music is associated with the power pop style. Twilley and Phil Seymour performed ...

's band, as was his sister Susan Cowsill. In October 2003, he married

Vicki Peterson Victoria Anne Theresa Peterson Cowsill (born January 11, 1958) is an American rock musician and songwriter. She has been the lead guitarist for the Bangles since their foundation in 1981. After their first disbandment in 1989, she has returned ...

The Bangles The Bangles are an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1981. The band recorded several singles that reached the U.S. top 10 during the 1980s, including " Manic Monday" (1986), " Walk Like an Egyptian" (1986), "Hazy Shad ...

. Cowsill began playing with the Beach Boys touring band on keyboards in 2000. He moved to the drums in 2008. His solos for the concerts include " Wild Honey," and "

Sail On, Sailor "Sail On, Sailor" (mislabeled "Sail On Sailor" on original pressings) is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1973 album ''Holland''. It was written primarily by Van Dyke Parks and Brian Wilson with Ray Kennedy, Tandyn Almer, an ...

." and also "Darlin" and "California Dreaming" on the 2022 tour. In 2011, Cowsill was confirmed to be performing alongside The Beach Boys on their 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour. Cowsill appears on the band's subsequent studio album, ''

That's Why God Made the Radio ''That's Why God Made the Radio'' is the twenty-ninth studio album by American rock band the Beach Boys, released on June 5, 2012 on Capitol Records. Produced by Brian Wilson, the album was recorded to coincide with the band's 50th anniversary. ...

'' (2012). He also performed on

's solo albums ''

Unleash the Love ''Unleash the Love'' is the second solo studio album by American singer Mike Love. It was released on November 17, 2017. Background and production Before ''Unleash the Love'', Mike Love had not officially released a solo album since 1981's '' ...

'' (2017) and '' Reason for the Season'' (2018). In 2017, Cowsill joined with Vicki Peterson and

Bill Mumy Charles William Mumy Jr. (; born February 1, 1954) is an American actor, writer, and musician and a figure in the science-fiction community/comic book fandom. He came to prominence in the 1960s as a child actor, which included television appeara ...

as the band Action Skulls to release an album (also including posthumous contributions from the bassist

Rick Rosas Rick "Rick the Bass Player" Rosas (September 10, 1949 – November 6, 2014) was an American musician, and one of the most sought after studio session musicians in Los Angeles. Though largely known for his long collaboration with Neil Young, throu ...

) entitled ''Angels Hear''.Andy Hermann
"Meet Action Skulls, a New Band Featuring Vicki Peterson, John Cowsill and Bill Mumy"
'' LA Weekly'', August 4, 2017.

References

External links

Cowsill discography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowsill, John 1956 births Living people Musicians from Rhode Island American keyboardists The Beach Boys backing band members The Cowsills members The Partridge Family