| Mike Kowalski | |
|---|---|
Kowalski at a concert in 1998 |
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 28, 1944 |
| Origin | Hollywood, California, United States |
| Genres | Rock, Blues |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1947–present |
| Associated acts | Beach Boys The Backsters |
| Website | www.bigbeatman.com |
Mike Kowalski (born July 28, 1944) is a percussionist and musicologist. He is best known as one of the former drummers from the rock band The Beach Boys. He and saxophonist Joel C. Peskin recorded as The Backsters in 1984.
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Mike Kowalski was born in Hollywood, California. He started singing and playing piano at the age of three. His first professional engagement was playing the piano, with Mel Torme on drums, for a television pilot at the age of five. At age ten, he was given a set of Slingerland Radio-King drums by Dragnet actor Jack Webb.
At the age of fifteen, he was playing drums professionally with various local rock and rhythm and blues bands. He performed both on stage and on screen as his family was affiliated with the film and television industries. By age nineteen he was playing drums with, L.A. based singers, Pat and Lolly Vegas, whom later formed the pop group Redbone. Also during this time Kowalski performed and recorded with Sonny & Cher, Little Anthony & the Imperials, and Etta James.
In 1968 Kowalski was asked to join Ed Carter's band The New Nadir, with Gary Thain on bass The New Nadir was a blues trio based in London, England, and played the London circuit . The band was signed to Witchseason Productions.
Later in 1968 Kowalski joined the Beach Boys, playing percussion for the band. He was their main drummer, following the death of Dennis Wilson, from 1983–2007. Kowalski parted ways with the Beach Boys in September 2007.
It was also in 1968 that Kowalski met and first worked with saxophonist Joel C. Peskin.
In between touring with the Beach Boys Kowalski performed and recorded with, among others; blues guitarist Albert Collins, Johnny Otis, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, Big Joe Turner, John Mayall and Charlie Musselwhite.
In 1984 Kowalski collaborated with Joel Peskin to create The Backsters. They were signed to A & M Records with Herb Alpert as executive producer. Their album, entitled Get on Your Back, featured many seasoned jazz and blues players. Released in early 1985, their first single was "Handclappin".
Kowalski has played with numerous bands and performers; both as a member of the group and as a session musician. Acts Kowalski has played with include:
| Joe Houston | Shuggie Otis | Jim O'Keefe | ||||
| Nino Tempo | Nick Drake | Billy Hinsche | ||||
| Roger McGuinn | Barry Mann | Jon Laughton | ||||
| Brian Wilson | Bumps Blackwell | Adrian Baker | ||||
| Mark Andes | John Martyn and Beverley Martyn | Don Peake | ||||
| Gene Vincent | Crazy Horse | Hank Marr | ||||
| Eddie Cleanhead Vinson | Captain and Tennille | Ernie Knapp | ||||
| Marie Adams | Joe Boyd | Bobby Figueroa | ||||
| Bruce Johnston | Leon Russell | Mike Meros | ||||
| Chris Farmer | Lance Carson | Steve Douglas | ||||
| Mike Ley | George Whitsell | Gary Griffin | ||||
| The Incredible String Band | The Dragons | Elliot Ingber | ||||
| Tay Uhler AKA Eddie Sapien | John Marx | Domenic Genova | ||||
| Chris Mancini | Gary Chang | Clark Garman | ||||
| Darrol Schexnader | Carl Radle | Rod Armstrong | ||||
| Scott Engel with The Walker Brothers | Stu Hoffman | Dean Torrance | ||||