Benjamin Kowalewicz: Difference between revisions

Benjamin Kowalewicz
Benjamin Kowalewicz
	Kowalewicz at Rock am Ring in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz
Born	December 16, 1975 (age 48); Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Origin	Streetsville, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Alternative rock, punk rock, post-hardcore, hardcore punk
Occupations	Singer, songwriter
Labels	Atlantic, Warner, Roadrunner, Last Gang, The End

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Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz (/ˌkɒvæˈlɛvɪtʃ/; born December 16, 1975) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist of rock band Billy Talent.

Early life

Kowalewicz was born in Montreal. He grew up in Pierrefonds. When he was 11, he and his family moved to Streetsville, Ontario.^[1]^[2]^[3] He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School, where he was a drummer in a band named To Each His Own.

Career

In To Each His Own, Kowalewicz met 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.^[4] After being threatened with a lawsuit by an American band who was also using the name Pezz, 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.

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 can also play guitar and drums. He wrote drums for "The Ex" which appears on Billy Talent's self-titled album.

Kowalewicz provided guest vocals for Rammstein guitarist Richard Kruspe's side project Emigrate. He provided co-lead vocals for the song "1234" on Emigrate's album A Million Degrees, as well as performing in the song's music video with a cameo appearance from Billy Talent bandmate Ian D'Sa.

Discography

Billy Talent

Billy Talent (2003)
Billy Talent II (2006)
Billy Talent III (2009)
Dead Silence (2012)
Afraid of Heights (2016)
Crisis of Faith (2022)

Guest appearances

Anti-Flag – "Wake Up the Town" on The Bright Lights of America (2008)
Cancer Bats – "Smiling Politely" on Hail Destroyer (2008)
K-OS - "Say It Ain't So (originally by Weezer)" on Much Music Presents: k-os Live (2011)
Emigrate – "1234" on A Million Degrees (2018)

References

^ "Billy Talent Interview". June 29, 2023.
^ "Billy Talent – Canadian Thru and Thru". April 14, 2013.
^ "Billy Talent : s'unir dans l'indignation rock". La Presse+. January 17, 2017.
^ The Ongoing History of New Music Archived October 20, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. "Before They Were Famous" Original Broadcast date: 13-11-05 on CFNY.

External links

Media related to Benjamin Kowalewicz at Wikimedia Commons

[1] "Billy Talent Interview". June 29, 2023.

[2] "Billy Talent – Canadian Thru and Thru". April 14, 2013.

[3] "Billy Talent : s'unir dans l'indignation rock". La Presse+. January 17, 2017.

[CFNY-4] The Ongoing History of New Music Archived October 20, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. "Before They Were Famous" Original Broadcast date: 13-11-05 on CFNY.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|Canadian singer and songwriter (born 1975)}}
-{{BLP sources|date=February 2008}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
+{{BLP sources|date=November 2020}}
 {{Infobox musical artist
-|name       = Benjamin Kowalewicz
+| name            = Benjamin Kowalewicz
+| image           = Billy Talent - Rock am Ring 2016 -2016157012624 2016-06-04 Rock am Ring - Sven - 1D X MK II - 0981 - AK8I1929 mod.jpg
-|image        = Benjamin Kowalewicz in performance (2006).jpg
-|caption   = Benjamin Kowalewicz live at [[Cardiff University Students' Union]], July 8, 2006.
+| caption         = Kowalewicz at [[Rock am Ring]] in 2016
+| birth_name      = Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz
-|background = solo_singer
+| alias           =
-|birth_name = Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz
+| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|1975|12|16}}
-|Status = Dating Rachelle Turner
+| birth_place     = [[Montreal]], Quebec, Canada
-|alias =
+| origin          = [[Streetsville]], Ontario, Canada
-|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|12|16}}
+| death_date      =
-|birth_place =[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
+| occupations      = Singer, songwriter
-|origin = [[Streetsville]], [[Ontario]], Canada
+| genre           = [[Alternative rock]], [[punk rock]], [[post-hardcore]], [[hardcore punk]]
-|death_date =
+| label           = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], [[Warner Music Canada|Warner]], [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]], [[Last Gang Records|Last Gang]], [[The End Records|The End]]
-|occupation = [[Singer]], [[songwriter]],
+| associated_acts = [[Billy Talent]], [[Emigrate (band)|Emigrate]], To Each His Own
-|instrument = [[Singing|Vocals]], [[Guitar]], [[Drum kit|Drums]]
-|genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[punk rock]], [[post-hardcore]], [[hardcore punk]]
-|label = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], [[Warner Music Canada|Warner]], [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]], [[Last Gang Records|Last Gang]], [[The End Records|The End]]
-|associated_acts = [[Billy Talent]]
-<br>[[Emigrate]]
-<br>To Each His Own
 }}
-'''Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|ɒ|v|æ|ˈ|l|ɛ|v|ɪ|tʃ}}; born December 16, 1975, in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]]) is a Canadian singer and the [[lead singer]] of the [[punk rock]] band [[Billy Talent]].
+'''Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|ɒ|v|æ|ˈ|l|ɛ|v|ɪ|tʃ}}; born December 16, 1975) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist of rock band [[Billy Talent]].
-==Biography==
+==Early life==
-Kowalewicz, of [[Poland|Polish]] descent, was born December 16, 1975 in [[Pierrefonds, Quebec|Pierrefonds]], [[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 [[Singing|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.<ref name=CFNY>[http://www.fm96.com/station/ongoing_history_of_new_music.cfm?recID=151&ell=8943&pge=1# The Ongoing History of New Music] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020025841/http://www.fm96.com/station/ongoing_history_of_new_music.cfm?recID=151&ell=8943&pge=1 |date=2006-10-20 }}. "Before They Were Famous" ''Original Broadcast date: 13-11-05 on [[CFNY]].''</ref> After being threatened with a lawsuit by an American band who was also using the name Pezz, Kowalewicz suggested the name Billy Talent, taken from a character from [[Michael Turner (musician)|Michael Turner]]'s ''[[Hard Core Logo]]''. Kowalewicz focused his work on vocals only, and Billy Talent was born.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} In this time, Kowalewicz worked in a number of positions at Toronto radio station [[CFNY|102.1 the Edge]], as an assistant for [[The Ongoing History of New Music]] host [[Alan Cross]], to contribute funds towards Billy Talent's [[Billy Talent (album)|first album]].
+Kowalewicz was born in [[Montreal]]. He grew up in [[Pierrefonds-Roxboro|Pierrefonds]]. When he was 11, he and his family moved to [[Streetsville, Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.orcasound.com/2004/04/28/billytalentinterview/ | title=Billy Talent Interview | date=June 29, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://rickkeenemusicscene.com/2013/04/14/billy-talent-canadian-thru-and-thru/ | title=Billy Talent – Canadian Thru and Thru | date=April 14, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/242bd168-2cc8-4562-9c22-5f9ca30b51ea%7C_0.html|title=Billy Talent : s'unir dans l'indignation rock|date=January 17, 2017|website=La Presse+}}</ref> He attended [[Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School]], where he was a drummer in a band named To Each His Own.
+== Career ==
+In To Each His Own, Kowalewicz met [[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.<ref name="CFNY">[http://www.fm96.com/station/ongoing_history_of_new_music.cfm?recID=151&ell=8943&pge=1# The Ongoing History of New Music] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020025841/http://www.fm96.com/station/ongoing_history_of_new_music.cfm?recID=151&ell=8943&pge=1 |date=October 20, 2006 }}. "Before They Were Famous" ''Original Broadcast date: 13-11-05 on [[CFNY]].''</ref> After being threatened with a lawsuit by an American band who was also using the name Pezz, Kowalewicz suggested the name Billy Talent, taken from a character from [[Michael Turner (musician)|Michael Turner]]'s ''[[Hard Core Logo]]''. Kowalewicz focused his work on vocals only, and Billy Talent was born.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} In this time, Kowalewicz worked in a number of positions at Toronto radio station [[CFNY|102.1 the Edge]], as an assistant for [[The Ongoing History of New Music]] host [[Alan Cross]], to contribute funds towards Billy Talent's [[Billy Talent (album)|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]]''.
@@ Line 31: / Line 30: @@
 Kowalewicz can also play guitar and drums. He wrote drums for "The Ex" which appears on Billy Talent's self-titled album.
+Kowalewicz provided guest vocals for [[Rammstein]] guitarist [[Richard Kruspe]]'s side project [[Emigrate (band)|Emigrate]]. He provided co-lead vocals for the song "1234" on Emigrate's album ''[[A Million Degrees]]'', as well as performing in the song's music video with a cameo appearance from Billy Talent bandmate [[Ian D'Sa]].
-Kowalewicz married his girlfriend, Rachelle Turner, in August 2011 after a six-year relationship.
-Kowalewicz provided guest vocals for [[Rammstein]] guitarist [[Richard Kruspe]]'s side project [[Emigrate (band)|Emigrate]]. He provided co-lead vocals for the song "1234" on Emigrate's album ''A Million Degrees'', as well as performing in the song's music video with a cameo appearance from Billy Talent bandmate [[Ian D'Sa]].
-'''
 ==Discography==
+[[File:Billy Talent at Ruisrock.jpg|thumb|Kowalewicz (left) and Ian D'Sa performing in 2007]]
-{{mainlist|Billy Talent discography}}
-;Album appearances
+===Billy Talent===
-* Pezz – ''[[Watoosh!]]'' (1998)
-* Billy Talent – ''[[Billy Talent (album)|Billy Talent]]'' (2003)
+{{main list|Billy Talent discography}}
+* ''[[Billy Talent (album)|Billy Talent]]'' (2003)
-* Billy Talent – ''[[Billy Talent II]]'' (2006)
+* ''[[Billy Talent II]]'' (2006)
-* Billy Talent – ''[[Billy Talent III]]'' (2009)
+* ''[[Billy Talent III]]'' (2009)
-* Billy Talent – ''[[Dead Silence (album)|Dead Silence]]'' (2012)
+* ''[[Dead Silence (album)|Dead Silence]]'' (2012)
-* Billy Talent - ''[[Hits (Billy Talent album)|Hits]]'' (2014)
+* ''[[Afraid of Heights (Billy Talent album)|Afraid of Heights]]'' (2016)
-* Billy Talent - ''[[Afraid of Heights (Billy Talent album)|Afraid of Heights]]'' (2016)
+* ''[[Crisis of Faith (album)|Crisis of Faith]]'' (2022)
-;Guest appearance
+===Guest appearances===
-* [[Anti-Flag]] – ''[[The Bright Lights of America]]'' on "Wake Up the Town" (2008)
-* [[Cancer Bats]] – ''[[Hail Destroyer]]'' on "Smiling Politely" (2008)
+* [[Anti-Flag]] – "Wake Up the Town" on ''[[The Bright Lights of America]]'' (2008)
-* [[Rise Against]] – ''[[Prayer of the Refugee]]'' Occasional live appearances.
+* [[Cancer Bats]] – "Smiling Politely" on ''[[Hail Destroyer]]'' (2008)
+* [[K-OS]] - "[[Say It Ain't So]] (originally by [[Weezer]])" on ''Much Music Presents: k-os Live'' (2011)
-* [[Emigrate (band)]] - ''1,2,3,4,'' on ''A Million Degrees'' (2018)
+* [[Emigrate (band)|Emigrate]] – "1234" on ''[[A Million Degrees]]'' (2018)
 ==References==
@@ Line 56: / Line 54: @@
 ==External links==
-* {{Commons cat inline|Benjamin Kowalewicz}}
+* {{Commons category-inline|Benjamin Kowalewicz}}
 {{Billy Talent}}
@@ Line 68: / Line 66: @@
 [[Category:Canadian people of Polish descent]]
 [[Category:Musicians from Montreal]]
-[[Category:Musicians from Ontario]]
-[[Category:Canadian drummers]]
 [[Category:Canadian male singers]]
 [[Category:Canadian rock singers]]

v t e Billy Talent
Benjamin Kowalewicz Ian D'Sa Jonathan Gallant Aaron Solowoniuk Jordan Hastings
Studio albums	Watoosh! (as Pezz) Billy Talent Billy Talent II Billy Talent III Dead Silence Afraid of Heights Crisis of Faith
Live albums	Live from the UK Sept./2006 666
Compilations	Hits
EPs	Dudebox Try Honesty
Singles	"Try Honesty" "The Ex" "River Below" "Nothing to Lose" "Devil in a Midnight Mass" "Red Flag" "Fallen Leaves" "Surrender" "This Suffering" "Turn Your Back" "Rusted from the Rain" "Devil on My Shoulder" "Saint Veronika" "Viking Death March" "Surprise Surprise" "Stand Up and Run" "Afraid of Heights" "Forgiveness I + II" "Reckless Paradise" "I Beg to Differ (This Will Get Better)" "End of Me"
Videography	Scandalous Travelers 666
Related articles	Discography Awards and nominations Afraid of Heights Tour
Category