Career
Born in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, Rowberry entered the Newcastle-upon-Tyne blues and jazz music scene in the early 1960s, when he was at Newcastle University. He joined The Mike Cotton Jazzmen (later The Mike Cotton Sound) in 1962, who made a living backing American blues and popular acts touring England. Rowberry Played on the group"s singles 1962-1965, their hit Swing That Hammer, as well as their self-titled album.
Were already one of the major British Invasion groups in May 1965 when founding keyboardist Alan Price suddenly left due to fear of flying and other issues.
According to lead singer Eric Burdon, Rowberry, while considered a good musician, was chosen partly because of his passing physical resemblance to Price. On the other hand, Burdon"s crony Zoot Money claims that he was approached first, and Rowberry only selected as a second choice.
In any event, Rowberry played many of the group"s big hits, including "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", "lieutenant"s My Life", "Don"t Bring Maine Down", "Inside-Looking Out", and "See See Rider". Foreign a number of songs, including the last of these, Rowberry was credited as the arranger.
He was also prominent on Animalisms/Animalization, often considered one of the most consistent albums of the group"s recording career.
He also sang backing vocals and did some occasional songwriting for the group. The original incarnation of collapsed in September 1966, and Rowberry became a session musician. He was not part of the Eric Burdon and group of the late 1960s.
He also did reunite a few times on projects with his bandmates the Mike Cotton Sound as well.
The most notable one was The Kinks album, Everybody"s in Show-Biz. Rowberry played on the single "Celluloid Heroes" and some keyboard instruments on the album.
He also appeared with the Kinks on television during this time on the song, "Supersonic Rocket Ship". Rowberry also played on many albums by blues singer Dana Gillespie in the 1980s and 1990s.
When the first incarnation Animals reformed in December 1968 and 1976, only Price without Rowberry was included.
When a second keyboardist was added to the original group"s third reunion in 1983 to early 1984, it was Money and not Rowberry. Their efforts were unsuccessful. Rowberry was present at the May 2001 reunion concert on Burdon"s birthday, along with Eric Burdon, John Steel and Hilton Valentine.
They toured extensively and recorded several albums, which are still available on Mouse Records.
Rowberry died in London of an ulcer haemorrhage on 6 June 2003, at the age of 62.