By Eleni P. Austin
Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill have been a married couple for a few decades, and both have experienced the wild highs and crushing lows of the music business. John grew up pounding a drum kit in his family’s band The Cowsills. The inspiration for the TV series The Partridge Family, the band included brothers Bill, Bob, Barry and Paul, along with sister Susan and their mom, Barbara. They topped the charts three times with “The Rain, The Park And Other Things,” “Indian Lake” and “Hair.” The preternaturally talented septet broke up in the early ‘70s, but have played a few reunion shows over the years. John spent 23 years adding vocals and playing drums for Mike Love’s touring version of The Beach Boys.
Vicki hit the big time in the early ‘80s, along with her sister Debbi, Susanna Hoffs and Michael Steele as The Bangles. The four-piece took their cues from ‘60s Garage Rock, Baroque Pop, Psychedelia and Folk Rock. Hits like “Manic Monday” (written for them by a very smitten Prince), “The Hero Takes The Fall” and “In Your Room” made them superstars. Although the band broke up in the early ‘90s, they’ve reunited for a couple of albums and several tours.
Although Vicki and John made three albums with Bill Mumy as The Action Skulls, they recently released their first album as a duo. Long After The Fire” is a 12-song set that features songs written (separately) by John’s brothers Bill and Barry. Both passed away in 2005 and 2006. Barry was a victim of Hurricane Katrina and Bill succumbed to health issues. The record showcases both brothers’ limitless talents, thanks to Vicki and John’s deft interpretations. The pair will be opening for The Minus 5 at Pappy & Harriet’s on Sunday, June 1st. They kindly took time to answer a few burning questions.
ELENI: Can you each tell me what your earliest musical memory is?
VICKI: It seems that music was always a part of my world. I remember my parents listening to their Jazz, Classical and Tropicale records when I was very small, and of course, the radio was always on in the car. In Los Angeles, you are in the car all the time! Naturally, The Beatles turned our world upside down, and my older sister Pam and I were crazy about them. I would pretend to perform, singing into the rabbit ears antenna on the TV set as if it was my microphone….
JOHN: I was probably four years old, listening to my brothers Billy and Bob sing in Ohio. That’s my first memory.
ELENI: I know you two collaborated before, along with Bill Mumy in the band Action Skulls. When and why did you decide that the time was right to make music as a duo?
JOHN: I was in the Beach Boys for 22-23 years. About 10 years ago, I said to Vicki, I want to record some of my favorite Billy and Barry songs, and will you do it with me, and of course she said yes! Our friend, and also our producer, Paul Allen is the one who got it rolling. I was playing with The Beach Boys in Memphis and Paul called me and asked me if I would like to record some music. I asked Paul why? Lol. He then reminded me about the dead bros project I had told him about. So, Paul drove from Nashville and we met at Sun Records Studio. The first song we recorded for the project was “Is Anybody Here?” It’s a very Roy Orbison kind of song, so it was fitting in that environment. Then it took about four years to complete. It would not have gotten done without Paul Allen. Paul is an incredible producer. He also produced the latest Jesus Lizard album. He’s very versatile and an incredible musician.
VICKI: It was actually something I was a little bit wary of. John and I had a very contented domestic life when one or the other of us wasn’t on the road. We were driving kids to school. working on the house making dinner….somehow becoming “musical partners” added a new and possibly dangerous layer to our relationship. Starting the Action Skulls was a good way in, because it was it was easy and fun to work with Bill. John and I actually co-wrote a couple of songs with him. When we started talking about the “dead brothers project” (which was the irreverent and affectionate working title of the record that became Long After The Fire), it became clear that this was something we really needed to do.
ELENI: John, you started your career as the drummer for your family band, The Cowsills, when you were just a kid. You have such a versatile singing style, why did you wait so long to showcase it?
JOHN: I grew up a singing drummer and I ‘ve always been a support musician. I was always somebody’s drummer or piano player or background singer. I would occasionally be a featured singer with whoever I was working for. I was singing a few leads with The Beach Boys. I sang three or four leads with The Cowsills, but that was it. But I love singing. This was a wonderful project to do and I love that I got to sing so many songs. I guess I’m a late bloomer, ha ha ha ha.
ELENI: Vicki, The Bangles have just released The Eternal Flame, an authorized biography that is garnering great reviews. Are there any plans to reunite for a few shows to celebrate the book’s release?
VICKI: I am really pleased the book is out and people are learning things they never knew about the band. There’s nothing on the books regarding live shows at the moment. But never say never.
ELENI: Listening to Long After The Fire was an introduction to the songwriting of both Bill and Barry. Of course, it only whet my appetite for more. So, I searched the interwebs, hoping to find Barry’s two solo efforts, as well as Bill’s stuff from the Blue Shadows and his lone solo album. But no such luck. Is there any hope that those albums might be re-released?
VICKI: It might be a search to find Barry’s records, As Is and US. 1. But The Blue Shadows’ On The Floor Of Heaven can be found on digital streaming platforms. It is well worth the detective work to find them all. Maybe the attention we can bring might even inspire the rights’ owners to re-release them!
JOHN: You can find some of their songs on Spotify, but not physical product. It would be great, but that’s outta my hands.
ELENI: John, you’re spending part of your Spring and Summer touring with The Smithereens as their guest vocalist. How did that come about?
JOHN: Right???? Lol. In 1991, The Cowsills were opening for Redd Kross and Screaming Trees in Los Angeles. After we got off stage, someone came down the hall saying that The Smithereens are outside and want to talk to us. I’m not sure who went outside, other than Susan and me. But I met Dennis Diken and Jim Babjak all dressed in New Jersey black. Jim says Susan didn’t believe it was them, and I was just thrown for a loop they were there. I mean, I was in a family band, and grew up with knowing/assuming we were not the coolest band of our peers. So, opening up for Redd Kross and Screaming Trees was so cool, and on the same night, The Smithereens are in the alley asking for The Cowsills to sing on their Blow Up album. Just amazing. Jim says he and Dennis watched our show and it dawned on him that they wanted our vocals on a song Jim wrote called “Now And Then.” We’ve been friends ever since then. Dennis and I have always remained in contact and he’s quite the musicologist in every way, and a big Beach Boys fan. He’d always come out to our shows if he was within striking zone. I asked him if he wanted to sit in on some songs. So, he’d play drums and I’d go down and sing “….Rhonda” or whatever! Over the years, I kinda kiddingly said I’d like to sing with The Smithereens sometime. Hahahaha. So, 22 years later, The Beach Boys let me go. Our producer, Paul Allen knew I’d like to sing with them and nudged me to call Dennis. Sooo, I called Dennis and asked him if I could sit in at The Wonder Bar down at the Jersey shore. I said I wanted to sing “Time And Time Again.” He said sure. So, I sang with them. Then Paul and I flew to Ojai, California to do it again at the Libby Bowl. Their manager was at the gig and asked if I wanted to do more. They gave me plenty of notice, so I learned about 22 song lyrics over a two-month period. Man, that was hard! The one show turned into two, then three and now, I guess they like how I sound, so I have about 15 more shows on the books this year. I’m filling in when Marshall Crenshaw or Robin Wilson can’t do it. I’ve never been anyone’s lead singer, and especially not playing drums. So, between singing with Vicky all the time and Smithereening, I guess I’m a full-time singer now. Who would have thought that, and OMG, I’m having so much fun!!!
ELENI: Vicki, it’s been about 11 years since The Psycho Sisters released their debut, Up On The Chair, Beatrice, any chance there will be a follow-up?
VICKI: I would make another record with Susan in a heartbeat! She’s a busy lady in New Orleans working solo, and also with Bob and Paul Cowsill in The Cowsills, but who knows? It only took us 20 years to make the first record….!
ELENI: Do you guys plan on recording an album that showcases your own writing talents?
VICKI: I really do love to write songs and want to shift some creative energy back in that direction. Writing with John would be yet another new layer to add to our musical adventure….of course, we might kill each other in the process.
JOHN: Well, I’m not a strong writer. I haven’t written that many things. I’m an interpreter of songs. Like Alison Krauss. I’m on the hunt for material that resonates with me. Vicki, on the other hand, does write. I think she should do a solo record.
ELENI: Finally, what inspires you these days, be it books, movies, television or music?
JOHN: I’m just always inspired by the surprises that come to me on a daily basis, in all categories. Great music, pretty sunsets, a great snowscape. I’m a cruiser of life. I like to keep it simple. Happy to wake up in the morning and knowing I’m with my absolutely awesome, incredible partner in all things. Siiigh, And I love singing. And I’m glad I get to do it.
VICKI: Music is always inspirational, especially a cleverly written lyric, or a song that feels particularly heartfelt (which is what I love about Bill and Barry’s songs). But I also get inspired about the written word and….um….eavesdropping on strangers’ conversations.
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Vicki Peterson & Peterson will open for The Minus 5 at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, Sunday June 1, 2025. Doors Open at 8pm, Show at 9pm. 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown Ca. 92688. pappyandharriets.com.
