Benjamin Kowalewicz
Kowalewicz at Rock am Ring in 2016
Kowalewicz at Rock am Ring in 2016
Background information
Birth nameBenjamin Ian Kowalewicz
Born (1975-12-16) December 16, 1975
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
OriginStreetsville, Ontario, Canada
GenresAlternative rock, punk rock, post-hardcore, hardcore punk
OccupationsSinger, songwriter
LabelsAtlantic, Warner, Roadrunner, Last Gang, The End

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. 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

Kowalewicz (left) and Ian D'Sa performing in 2007

Billy Talent

Guest appearances

References

  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.
  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.
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