Benjamin Kowalewicz

Benjamin Kowalewicz
Benjamin Kowalewicz in 2019. Benjamin Kowalewicz in 2019.
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz
Born	(1975-12-16) December 16, 1975 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Origin	Streetsville, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Alternative rock, punk rock, post-hardcore, hardcore punk
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter,
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar, drums
Labels	Atlantic, Warner, Roadrunner, Last Gang, The End

Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz (/ˌkɒvæˈlɛvɪtʃ/; born December 16, 1975, in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian singer and the lead singer of the punk rock band Billy Talent.

Biography

Kowalewicz, of Polish descent, was born December 16, 1975 in 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 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. 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 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. 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

For a more comprehensive list, see Billy Talent discography.

Album appearances

• Billy Talent – Billy Talent (2003)
• Billy Talent – Billy Talent II (2006)
• Billy Talent – Billy Talent III (2009)
• Billy Talent – Dead Silence (2012)
• Billy Talent – Afraid of Heights (2016)

Guest appearance

• Anti-Flag – "Wake Up the Town" on "The Bright Lights of America" (2008)
• Cancer Bats – "Smiling Politely" on "Hail Destroyer" (2008)
• Rise Against – Prayer of the Refugee Occasional live appearances.
• Emigrate (band) – 1,2,3,4, on A Million Degrees (2018)

External links

• Media related to Benjamin Kowalewicz at Wikimedia Commons