The Bangles’ Vicki Peterson and The Cowsills’ John Cowsill bring harmonies, hits to Sellersville Theater

Photo: Henry Diltz

For Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill, singing and touring together wasn’t part of a grand design. It began almost accidentally — a casual blending of voices that revealed an undeniable spark.

As songs emerged and their unique harmonies locked in, it became clear that the married pair shared more than just a personal bond. They had discovered a rare creative chemistry. Drawing on decades spent inside some of pop music’s most influential bands, Peterson and Cowsill quickly developed a musical shorthand that transformed a chance collaboration into a fully formed partnership.

Peterson first captured the spotlight as a founding member of The Bangles and some of the most indelible hits of the 1980s, including the global smash “Walk Like an Egyptian.” Cowsill’s resume is equally storied, beginning with the platinum-selling family group The Cowsills and continuing through more than 20 years as drummer and co-vocalist with The Beach Boys.

Together, they bring a deep well of pop history to a project that honors classic songwriting while embracing an avant-garde spirit.

That spirit is especially evident on their debut Americana album, “Long After the Fire,” a deeply personal collection built upon songs written by John’s late brothers, Barry and Bill Cowsill.

Many of the compositions date back more than half a century, carrying an unmistakable AM-radio warmth, while never once feeling nostalgic. Instead, the songs sound fresh and immediate, animated by the duo’s distinctive harmonies and shared devotion to their craft.

Fans of Peterson and Cowsill — as well as devotees of their respective bands — will have the opportunity to experience that chemistry firsthand when the duo performs at the intimate Sellersville Theater on Tuesday.

I recently spoke with Peterson and Cowsill about their upcoming performance, the making of “Long After the Fire,” and the remarkable stories that have shaped their careers.

Q: Both of you have performed on some of the world’s biggest stages. What do you enjoy about having the opportunity to perform in a smaller, more intimate venue?

Vicki Peterson: When it’s just John and me, I prefer the more intimate settings. We can hear each other because it’s just two guitars and two voices. From where you’re sitting, it gives you the sense of being in someone else’s living room, hanging out and singing songs. The interesting aspect is that, even though we’ve both been doing this for decades, this is the first project where each of us have our own name on it and not being part of a collective. It’s exciting to be alive at this point in time and have something completely new and challenging ahead of you.

You can read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill by Clicking Here!


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