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William "Billy" Cowsill, the lead singer of the 1960s family band The Cowsills, died Friday, friends said. He was 58.
Cowsill, who had emphysema, osteoporosis, Cushing Syndrome and other ailments, died in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He was also recovering from back surgery in which one lung had to be collapsed; doctors could not get it to re-inflate. No cause of death has been released.
The Cowsills - the inspiration for the TV series "The Partridge Family" - recorded hits between 1967 and 1970 including "The Rain, The Park and Other Things" and "Hair." They also were spokespeople for the American Dairy Association, appearing in commercials and print ads.
Four Cowsill brothers played in the band: Barry on bass, Billy on guitar, Bob on guitar and organ, and John on drums. Their mother, Barbara, and little sister, Susan, eventually joined the group.
The band's career began 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 had an acrimonious breakup in the 1970s. Billy, the oldest member, had moved to Canada about 35 years ago, and he continued his music career.
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