William Cowsill dead at 58

The news gets worse for the Cowsills, rock's original family band... their lead singer, William, has died in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the age of 58. The band, best known for hits like "The Rain, The Park, and Other Things" and their version of the "Hair" musical's title song, was a true family affair, one that inspired the creation of the inauthentic Partridge Family concept.

"Billy," who also doubled on guitar, ended his battle with a combination of emphysema-related ailments on Friday, news which must hit the family especially hard after the recent death of bassist and brother Barry, who was reported missing after Hurricane Katrina and discovered dead near the Chartres Street Wharf in New Orleans this past December 28. Indeed, family members have just completed a memorial service for Barry in Newport, and are scheduled to hold a second service in New Orleans' Woldenberg Park (directly across from Jackson Square) on February 26, complete with a traditional brass band funeral parade. There has been no official statement from the other family members yet, but a beautiful tribute has been put up at Becky's Home On The Web, which hosts a Cowsills fan site.