The Cowsills
His siblings often called Barry the most musically talented of
the family - which is saying a lot. Older brother Billy almost
replaced Brian Wilson in The Beach Boys, and those same siblings
comprised The Cowsills - an American pop phenomenon during the mid
to late 60s.
Influenced by The Beatles, Barry joined brothers Bill, Bob,
Paul and John in a successful Rhode Island garage band; mother
Barbara and little sister Susan were soon added (by father Bud),
creating a template that would ultimately spawn the TV series, The
Partridge Family.
Barry was somewhat successful in the East Coast New Wave scene
before relocating to New Orleans in the 1990s.
The most troubled Cowsill - albeit a kind and lovable soul -
Barry attempted suicide at least once. His brothers were taking
him back to California for rehab when Hurricane Katrina struck.
Susan - who lost everything in the storm - received a final phone
message on September 1st: "I don't know how to get out of
town . . . I've been so fucking lonely. I hope to get in
touch". Barry's body, recovered at a wharf, was identified
two days after Christmas. Coroners ruled his death a drowning.
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