Mike Kowalski

The Big Beat Man

Mike Kowalski

Mike Kowalski - drums, piano, bass

Mike Kowalski was born and July 28,1944 in Hollywood, Ca . He started singing and playing piano by the age of three years, 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 his Godfather and "Dragnet" T.V. star 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 screen as his family was affiliated with the Motion Picture and Television industries. By age nineteen he was playing drums with a popular L.A. band Pat and Lolly Vegas, whom later became the famous pop group "Redbone". Also during this time performed and recorded with "Sonny & Cher", "Little Anthony & the Imperials", and "Etta James".

In 1968 Mike was asked to join the " New Nadir", a blues trio based in London, England. They were signed by Island Records and toured Europe. Later that year he joined the "Beach Boys", playing drums and percussion. It was also at this time that he met and first worked with saxophonist Joel C. Peskin.

In between touring with the Beach Boys Kowalski performed and recorded with the legendary blues guitarist "Albert Collins", " The Johnny Otis Show", jazz saxophonist "Charles LLoyd", "Big Joe Turner", "John Mayall", "Charlie Mulleswhite", to name a few. In 1984 Kowalski and Peskin collaborated to create the "Backsters". They were signed to A & M Records, and "Herb Alpert" was the executive producer. The Album entitled "Get on Your Back" featuring many of the top jazz and blues players. Released in early 1985 "Handclappin", the single was one of the first instrumental music videos on MTV's rotation. Kowalski is currently the drummer for the Beach Boys and has been since the tragic death of Drummer Dennis Wilson in 1983.