| Benjamin Kowalewicz | |
|---|---|
Benjamin Kowalewicz live at Cardiff University Students' Union, July 8, 2006. |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Benjamin Kowalewicz |
| Born | December 16, 1975 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Origin | Streetsville, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Alternative rock, punk rock, post-hardcore, hardcore punk |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Drums |
| Labels | Atlantic (2002-present) Warner (2002-present) Roadrunner (2009-present) |
| Associated acts | Billy Talent To Each His Own |
Benjamin Kowalewicz ( /ˈkɒvəlɛvɪtʃ/; born December 16, 1975) is the lead singer of the Canadian rock band Billy Talent.
Kowalewicz, of Polish descent, was born December 16, 1975 in Montreal, Quebec. He was raised in Streetsville, Ontario, but now lives in downtown Toronto. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School, where he was a drummer in a band named To Each His Own. In this band he would meet Jonathan Gallant. Kowalewicz moved from drummer to vocals and rhythm guitar, and Aaron Solowoniuk was recruited to play drums. The three would then meet Ian D'Sa to form a band called Pezz. Pezz released their first album, Watoosh!, in 1998.[1] After threatening an American band who was also using the name Pezz with a lawsuit, Kowalewicz suggested the name Billy Talent, taken from a character from Michael Turner's Hard Core Logo. Kowalewicz focused his work on vocals only, and Billy Talent was born. In this time, Kowalewicz worked in a number of positions at Toronto radio station 102.1 the Edge, as an assistant for The Ongoing History of New Music host Alan Cross, to contribute funds towards Billy Talent's first album.
Kowalewicz is featured in the song "Smiling Politely" by Cancer Bats from their album Hail Destroyer. He was featured in the song "Wake Up the Town" by Anti-Flag, which was a bonus track on their 2008 album The Bright Lights of America. Kowalewicz is seen in the video for Goldfinger's "Superman".
His home in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto was featured on the Canadian home decorating show Designer Guys. The episode is entitled "Punk Meets Traditional".
Kowalewicz married his girlfriend of 6 years, Rachelle Turner in August 2011.
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