THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill have been married for 22 years and playing music together for… maybe two.
Vicki is a founding member of the 1980s group The Bangles — one of the most successful bands of that decade, with over six million albums sold. Peterson later wrote and performed with her good friend (and eventual sister-in-law) Susan Cowsill as The Psycho Sisters. In the ’90s, she became a member of critically acclaimed Americana band The Continental Drifters, and remains with them today. Throughout the ’90s, Vicki stayed active appearing on albums with Tom Petty, John Doe, Hootie & The Blowfish, Belinda Carlisle and also toured with The Go-Go’s on their 1994-1995 reunion tour. The Bangles reunited in the 21st century to release four more albums, including a collection of rarities, and a collaboration with the Los Angeles bands Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade and The Three O’Clock.
John began working in clubs, singing and playing drums with his brothers when he was seven years old. The band grew to include their mother and little sister and The Cowsills became a sensation in the late 1960s, playing both The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson three times, The Johnny Cash Show twice and enjoying several Top 20 hits, including Hair (No. 1 in four countries and No. 2 on U.S. Billboard) and The Rain, The Park, & Other Things (No. 2 on U.S. Billboard with over three million copies sold).
In 1981 John did some session work, landing on the Tommy Tutone hit, 867-5309 (Jenny) and recorded and toured with Dwight Twilley. He also toured with Jan And Dean before becoming a mainstay of The Beach Boys touring band, playing guitar, piano, and finally sitting at the drum kit for over 20 years, playing an average of 180 concerts per year. John made many television appearances with the band including Good Morning America (seven times), The Today Show (six times), The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, The Grand Ole Opry and The Grammys.
Throughout his career, John has performed live and/or recorded work with Bob Dylan, The Mamas & The Papas, Harry Chapin, Maroon 5, Herman’s Hermits, Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees and Chuck Berry. John is also currently one of the lead singers for The Smithereens and the touring drummer for Peter Perrett of The Only Ones.
Vicki and John, along with their friend actor/musician Bill Mumy, recorded three albums as The Action Skulls, including a pandemic-themed bluegrass record and their latest, From A Running Horse, released in 2024. Now, Vicki and John lovingly present their debut Americana album Long After The Fire, comprised of songs by John’s late brothers Barry and Bill Cowsill.”
