Posted on 01/05/2006 6:37:53 PM PST by laney
NEW ORLEANS - Barry Cowsill, a member of the popular 1960s singing family The Cowsills, was found dead on a wharf nearly four months after he disappeared when Hurricane Katrina flooded the city. He was 51.
Cowsill's body, recovered Dec. 28 from the Chartres Street Wharf, was identified with dental records Tuesday, said Dr. Louis Cataldie, head of the state hurricane morgue in Carville.
The coroner had not determined the cause of death but believed it was related to the devastating storm, which struck the city Aug. 29.
Cowsill, who lived on and off in New Orleans, had not been heard from since he left phone messages for his sister Sept. 1, his family's Web site said.
"They tell us he'd been dead for quite some time," Richard Cowsill, his brother, said in a telephone interview Thursday. "We love him and we're going to miss him, but he's in a much better place, in my mother's arms."
The Cowsills — the inspiration for the TV series "The Partridge Family," recorded a series of top hits between 1967 and 1970, including "The Rain, The Park and Other Things" and "Hair." They also were spokespersons for the American Dairy Association, appearing in commercials and print ads for milk.
Four Cowsill brothers played in the band: Barry on bass, Bill on guitar, Bob on guitar and organ, and John on drums. Their mother, Barbara, and little sister, Susan, eventually joined the group.
The Cowsills got their start in Newport, R.I., where by 1965 they had a regular gig at a club. They were spotted by a producer for NBC's "Today" show who booked them for an appearance that led to a record deal.
The band broke up in the 1970s, amid acrimony that left some members estranged from each other for several years.
"It wasn't just the end of a business, it was the end of a family," Bob Cowsill said in a 1990 interview.
Barbara Cowsill died in 1985.
In addition to his siblings, Cowsill is survived by two daughters and a son.
Richard Cowsill said no memorial service was planned and that his brother would be cremated. "He always said when I leave this place, you better party. And that's what we're planning to do," he said.
I saw her sitting in the rain,
raindrops falling on her.
She didn´t seem to care.
She sat there and smiled at me.
And I knew
(I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)
she could make me happy
(happy, happy).
Flowers in her hair,
Flowers 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.
I knew I had to say hello
(hello, hello)
She smiled up at me
She took my hand
And we walked
through the park alone
And I knew
(I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)
she could make me happy
(happy, happy).
Flowers in her hair,
Flowers 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.
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 from her hair.
But I knew
(I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)
she had made me happy
(happy, happy).
Flowers in her hair,
Flowers everywhere
Why has it taken over 4 months to find a body on a wharf in New Orleans?
I saw the Cowsills at G. Rollie White in College Station in 1969. I always liked their music. Another sad ending for an entertainer.
That is what I was wondering earlier when I read the story on Yahoo. It doesn't make sense.
I have that song on my computer and I play it at least once a month. The ultimate bubble gum. I remember that when that song was a hit, the Cowsills appeared on Ed Sullivan and he then signed them to an unprecedented contract for like two years worth of appearances on his show. He thought they were the next Beatles and he didn't want to let them get away.
I looked up Susan Cowsill on the net today. she has a new album that sounds pretty good.
Sample tunes at: http://www.susancowsill.com/
Indian Lake is a scene you should make with your little one....
They reported on local TV that they found him UNDER the wharf.
Why has it taken over 4 months to find a body on a wharf in New Orleans?
Well, that makes more sense. I swear, a lot of trouble in this country could be solved if reporters would learn to write clearly.
Sorry to hear they are still finding bodies. For some silly reason, I thought the body recovery was done.
Ev'ry body's talking 'bout
the things they have to live without.
What Is Happy baby?
They really don't know how to live,
They've all forgotten how to give.
What Is Happy baby?
To me it's walking through the park
when I'm alone with you
To be in love and in a dream
a magic scene for two.
What Is Happy baby?
They're all hung up in the sky,
They're copping out without a try.
What Is Happy baby?
The microscope has made them blind,
They say contentment's hard to find.
What Is Happy baby?
To me it's looking at the leaves
as they fall to the ground,
And see the million little things
just waiting to be found
What Is Happy baby?
+++
Rest in Peace, Barry -- And thank you.
You would bloat and split open in the temps. of Louisiana. Probably not a pretty site.
RIP, Barry. (still, never cared for their music)
Sad. . .just sad.
The Cowsills were a staple of the bubblegum crowd, when I was a kid. In fact, Barry was pretty close to my age. How awful for his family to have had to go this long without knowing where he was, or what had happened.
At least they have closure now.
Ahhh, the days when mom was invited to join the band. My son has made it clear to me that I'm strickly to be a backstage mom! Okay I can't sing or play any instruments, but heck, I can lipsynch like a pro!
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