Barry Steven Cowsill
September 14, 1954 - 2005

And I take the secret treasures,
Of my heart and soul,
And I'll keep them covered safe within my reach.
Till the time when I can share them with the others.
Move on down the road,
Slip me through the door,
Oh take me to your dreams Ol Timeless
I want for more.
Send me on my way,
To them other times.
There's alot of work ahead for me tomorrow.

Lyrics from Ol Timeless
Barry Cowsill 1998

Perhaps Barry had been ready for this day for a long time, but it's a day I think we, as fans, could never be ready for. My impression of Barry, when I first really met him back in 1998, was that he had such a precious soul. Although I never really knew him, that's what I saw in him. All the torment of this earth is now gone. Barry, I rejoice in your found peace.

These are just some thoughts about Barry, although I struggle to find words to write. Like I said, I don’t consider myself to have really known Barry, so take this as such.

Barry was an entertainer. This is the face that we remember of Barry, always seemingly the clown. The loose one, having fun. But from what I read as years went on, Barry did that by being in his own world, so to speak. He could perform for thousands with comfort and with fear when it came to his own classmates. In part I think this was because Barry thought we had an image of him and that he had to live up to that. That’s a shame. Barry was wonderful at just being Barry. He never needed to be more. Barry always remained an entertainer. Not one of us could watch him perform without smiles, laughs and a good time.

Barry was a poet. Barry’s mind saw things I could never imagine and he had a way with words, to paint a picture. I think two of my favorite Barry lyrics were from his songs "Legends Of Love" and "When Hearts Collide."

Legends Of Love

As we tango free to fly.
As we dance the wings unfold.
Come the spring and kiss the sun,
As the soaring eagles do.
On the winds, the whimms we'll climb
Through spacing currents of our love.
And time to pray our hands in works,
We are the hopeless valentines.
Where there was an endless life,
From the echo of our hearts.
And if there might dare to be,
Some dimmention seeking blood we'll fly
We are Legends of Love,
We're the Legends of Love

When Hearts Collide

And like a brother,
Laying me down
For the timeless sleep,
Of lovers.
I'll cover you up,
Just like an old oak tree.
My branches bend,
They surround you.
When Hearts Collide

I will never forget Barry touchingly singing this to Billy at ToRI 2000.

Barry was intelligent. I remember how I was always amazed at his intelligence. I liked to sit and just listen. I remember the old magazine articles where Barry wanted to be a scientist or a surgeon. If life had turned another way, perhaps that could have happen. He sure had the abilities.

Barry was a songwriter and producer. OK, some things are obvious, but it’s really mind blowing to think he was writing recorded songs – like "Mister Flynn" – when he was only 14 and a producer – On My Side – at age 16. I think there are few who can say the same.

Of course we can’t think of Barry without his hats. Here are a few.

But we all know life wasn’t easy for Barry. He was thrust into a limelight of teen idol. Those days that we have such fond memories of, were torment to him and something that he perhaps never recovered from. He just wanted to make music. I used to joke that Barry’s goal was to live in all 50 states. Maybe he was just looking for that safe place to be.

Barry leaves us with three children, Carrie, Keira and Collin. He also considered Brandy his daughter. He has grandsons, Braden and Riley, and Brandy's daughters Briana and Leah, so he will always remain with us. The things I’m sure he’s taught them about life !!

I wanted to end this by sharing this. At ToRI 2000, right before he sang these lines, Barry said:

“Oh and this is dedicated to everybody here too.”

No matter how far.
Or long ago.
You'll live in me,
For always.
And we will sing,
And take to flight,
On the wings of our love
When Hearts Collide