The lead singer for the 1960's family group, The Cowsills -- Billy Cowsill -- has died at his home in Calgary, Alberta, at the age of 58.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cowsill died Friday night after a long battle with emphysema, osteoporosis and Cushing syndrome, the Providence (R.I) Journal reported Sunday.
Family members told the Journal they learned of Billy's death shortly after a memorial service in Newport, R.I., Friday for their brother, Barry, who drowned in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina at age 51.
"We don't know what happened, but he hasn't been well for a while," Robert Cowsill said of Billy Saturday night as surviving members of the family prepared for a memorial concert in front of about 500 people for Barry.
"It's shocking," Paul Cowsill said, adding his brother Billy, like Barry, had problems with drugs and alcohol. "I can't begin to tell you how weird it is. But we're still here and now it's just a party for two."
The Cowsills inspired the hit TV show "The Patridge Family" and had radio hits such as "Hair,""Indian Lake" and "The Rain in the Park and Other Things."
Billy Cowsill moved to Canada 35 years ago and played with the groups Blue Northern and The Blue Shadows.
In addition to his siblings Paul, Robert, Richard, John and Susan, Billy Cowsill is survived by two sons, Travis and Del.