08/25/2026
As most of you probably know, The Smithereens lost their lead singer and founding member, Pat DiNizio, back in 2017. The band persevered, honoring DiNizio’s legacy and music by inviting a rotating cast of guest singers to fill those giant shoes.
We are lucky to have John Cowsill joining us for the show this year. Get to know a little about John…
John Cowsill began playing drums and singing at the age of 7, joining his siblings to form the hit 1960’s band The Cowsills. In the early 1980s, Cowsill performed and recorded with Jan and Dean and is heard playing percussion and singing back-up vocals on Tommy Tutone’s hit, "867-5309/Jenny."
During this time he also toured as the drummer of Dwight Twilley’s band. Cowsill began playing with the touring Beach Boys on keyboards and vocals in 2000. He moved to the drums in 2008, and was featured as lead vocalist on such songs as "Wild Honey,” "California Dreamin’,” “Darlin’,” and "Sail On Sailor."
In 2011, Cowsill was chosen to play with Brian Wilson’s band-- along with Al Jardine and Mike Love--on The Beach Boys’ sold-out 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour. Cowsill appears on that band's subsequent studio album, That's Why God Made the Radio (2012).
He also performed on Mike Love's solo albums Unleash the Love (2017) and Reason for the Season (2018). In 2017, Cowsill, Vicki Peterson, and musician/actor Bill Mumy formed the band Action Skulls, releasing three albums: “Angels Hear” (2017), “A Different World” (2020) and “From A Running Horse” (2023) Cowsill toured all over the world with The Beach Boys for over 22 years.
Additional credits include: Mamas & Papas, Tommy Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, The Heaters, Harry Chapin, The Bangles, Mickey Dolenz , Hoodoo Gurus, Foster The People, Maroon 5, Herman’s Hermits, and The Dream Syndicate.
In the spirit of six degrees of separation, John has some other connections to the Festival. His wife Vicki is the sister of Debbi Peterson (both from The Bangles), who sat in on drums for Matthew Sweet in 2024 and The Dream Syndicate’s Steve Wynn is a member of The Baseball Project who headlined in 2023.
Help us welcome John on Saturday, September 5th at the Overton Park Shell. Shows starts at 5pm with Joybomb, followed by Your Academy and The Sonny Wilsons.
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