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Barry Cowsill, a member of the popular 1960s singing family The Cowsills and later a resident of Tuolumne County, 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 earlier this month with dental records, 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 lived in Tuolumne County for a few years in the late 1990s. He performed with area musicians including Lori Brandon, Terry Tomsha and Lonny Lee Walker.
Brandon said Cowsill and his wife and children used to live in Ponderosa Hills. She called him a funny, witty, warm, loving man and a great musician.
"He was kind of a lost soul, but had incredible talent," Brandon said. "His fame was thrust upon him as young man. It was not his choice."
Dean Zaharias, of Sonora, who used to own The Flying Pig Saloon with his wife, Wendy Hesse, in downtown Sonora, said Cowsill played music at the saloon and sponsored an open-mike night.
Zaharias said Cowsill left Tuolumne County around 1999 or 2000 and moved to New Orleans to recapture his musical roots and explore his abilities.
"We were lucky to have him in Tuolumne County, he gave a lot to this community," Zaharias said.
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.
The Cowsills - the inspiration for the TV series "The Partridge Family" - recorded a series of top hits between 1967 and 1970, including "Hair," "Indian Lake" and "The Rain The Park and Other Things."
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. Barbara Cowsill died in 1985.
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.
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 aid when I leave this place, you better party. And that's what we're planning to do," he said.
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