Weavings. In October 1981, Wilson and percussionist Bobby Figueroa were unable to tour. Kowalski, after a three-year absence from the band, returned to play drums. By the end of the year, Kowalski and Wilson, who was back on drums, performed during the band's controversial holiday engagement in apartheid-era Sun City, South Africa. 1982 had Kowalski playing drums for Mike Love's Endless Summer Beach Band (featuring Dean Torrence), and drums and percussion with The Beach Boys. By March 1983, there were two sets of drums on stage; both Kowalski and Wilson played shows together until Wilson's death on December 28, 1983. For the next 23 years, Kowalski would tour exclusively with The Beach Boys, playing drums until he parted ways with them in September 2007. In 1984, Kowalski collaborated with Joel Peskin to create The Backsters. They were signed to A & M Records with Herb Alpert as executive producer. Their album, entitled Get on Your Back, featured many seasoned jazz and blues players. Released in early 1985, their first single was "Handclappin". Other bands and performers Kowalski has played with numerous bands and performers; both as a member of the group and as a session musician. Acts Kowalski has played with include: Discography A brief list of bands and musicians Kowalski has played with: Pat and Lolly Vegas at the Haunted House (1965) - Pat and Lolly Vegas Louisiana Fog (1968) - Charlie Musselwhite 20/20 (1969) - The Beach BoysLive in London (1969) - The Beach BoysThe Road to Ruin (1970) - John & Beverley MartynRagtime Cowboy Jew (1970) - Stefan GrossmanBryter Layter (1970) - Nick DrakeFreedom Flight (1971) - Shuggie OtisSmiling Men with Bad Reputations (1971) - Mike HeronSurf's Up (1971) - The Beach BoysThe Beach Boys in Concert (1973) - The Beach BoysM.I.U. Album (1978) - The Beach BoysCrazy Moon (1978) - Crazy HorseSurvivor (1978) - Barry MannAlmost Summer Soundtrack (1978) - CelebrationWeavings (1978) - Charles LloydGet On Your Back (1984) - The BackstersStill Cruisin' (1989) - The Beach BoysLive & Jumpin' (1997) - The BackstersSymphonic Sounds: Music of the Beach Boys (1998) - Royal Philharmonic OrchestraGarden State (2004) - Movie, Various ArtistsA Postcard From California (2011) - Al JardineMade in California'' (2013) - The Beach Boys References External links Mike Kowalski "Big Beat Man" official website The book Fifty Sides of the Beach Boys VIDEO - The Beach Boys with Mike Kowalski on Drums 1944 births Living