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Billy had been a long time friend of The Cowsills. With his tight Beach Boys connections, it's no wonder he and John were friends. John often tells the story of his joining the Beach Boys thinking he was playing guitar until a couple days before they went out on tour. John got a call saying he would be playing piano. So he called Billy who sent him the charts so he could cram for performing. On August 21, 2021, The Cowsills were guests on Billy's podcast where you could here Billy singing "Indian Lake" and "The Rain, the Park and Other Things."
Another Cowsill connection was when Susan joined Billy at the Wild Honey show in 2016 that was a Beach Boys tribute.
John and Billy Hinsche (Dino, Desi and Billy)
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John and Billy Hinsche
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The New York Times writes:
Billy Hinsche, who found fame in a 1960s boy band and later toured for years with the Beach Boys and associated acts, is dead.
Hinsche, who was 70, died of cancer Saturday, the same day as his 95-year-old mother, friend Lucie Arnaz posted on Instagram.
"One of the finest humans, friends, storytellers and musicians, on the entire planet just went home to rest," she wrote.
Hinsche was born in Manila, Philippines, but his family moved to Beverly Hills. In high school he became friends with Dean Paul Martin - son of Dean Martin - and Desi Arnaz Jr., son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
The school chums formed the band Dino, Desi and Billy and had two top-40 hits in 1965 with "I'm a Fool" and "Not the Lovin' Kind."
The group broke up in 1969.
Hinsche's sister, Annie, was the first wife of Beach Boy Carl Wilson, and Hinsche joined the Beach Boys as a touring musician from 1971-77 and 1982-96. He played keyboards and rhythm guitar, sang background vocals and often handled lead vocals on "Sail on Sailor."
He also played on many Beach Boys studio albums in the 1970s.
After the Beach Boys splintered following the 1998 death of Carl Wilson, Hinsche toured in a group fronted by Beach Boy Al Jardine and featuring Brian Wilson's daughters Carnie and Wendy.
"I can't believe you are gone," Carnie Wilson wrote on Instagram Saturday.
"Thank you for making this world a better place with your relentless spirit and sense of humor," she continued. "(Your) talent was so huge and you were always one step ahead of us all with your ideas and creativity."
Martin was killed in a plane crash in 1987, but Hinsche and Arnaz later teamed with Martin's brother Ricci as Ricci, Desi and Billy. Ricci Martin died in 2016.
Hinsche also stayed close to Brian Wilson, playing with him occasionally in a band that has included Jardine since 2013.
Brian Wilson posted a photo of himself and Hinsche Saturday with the caption, "Love & Mercy Billy Hinsche."
Carnie responded, "I Love you Dad. He's with Carl. And Denny," referring to Brian Wilson's two late brothers.
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