Barry Cowsill

Barry Steven Cowsill (September 14, 1954 – c. September 2, 2005) was an American musician, songwriter and producer. He was the bassist of the musical group The Cowsills, who had three top-10 singles in the late 1960s.

Barry Steven Cowsill was born in Newport, Rhode Island to William "Bud" and Barbara Cowsill. He was the third youngest of seven children (Bill, Richard, Bob, Paul, Barry, John, Susan).

As a young teenager, Barry started as the drummer (and later became known as the bass player) of the band, The Cowsills. Initially formed by his brothers Bill and Bob Cowsill, the trio played popular tunes at local clubs, church benefits and parties.

The band introduced their younger brother John on drums and switched Barry to bass. The quartet were signed by Mercury Records. In 1966, they released three singles: "Most of All", "Party Girl", and "What's It Gonna Be Like". The band was dropped by Mercury, but they were discovered by Artie Kornfeld and signed to MGM Records.

By the late 1960s, the band expanded to include 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.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.