Rowland S. Howard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rowland S. Howard
Background information
Birth name	Rowland Stuart Howard
Born	(1959-10-24)24 October 1959 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died	30 December 2009(2009-12-30) (aged 50) Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Post-punk
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, organ, vocals
Years active	1975–2009

Rowland Stuart Howard (born October 24, 1959 – died December 30, 2009) was an Australian rock musician. He was a talented guitarist and songwriter. Many people know him best for his work with the post-punk band The Birthday Party. He also had a successful solo music career.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Rowland Stuart Howard was born in Melbourne, Australia. He was born on October 24, 1959. His parents were John Stanton Howard and Lorraine Stuart. Rowland had two siblings, Angela and Harry. Both of his siblings also became musicians.

Rowland's Music Journey

Starting with "Shivers"

Rowland Howard wrote the famous song "Shivers" when he was only 16 years old. He was part of a band called Young Charlatans at that time. Later, he joined a band from Melbourne called The Boys Next Door. When they released "Shivers" as a single, it became very popular.

The Birthday Party Years

The Boys Next Door later changed their name to The Birthday Party. Rowland's unique guitar playing was a big part of their sound. The band moved from Australia to London in 1980. They later moved to West Berlin.

The Birthday Party released their early music with Missing Link Records and 4AD Records. They also worked with Mute Records. Rowland had different ideas about music than the singer, Nick Cave. Because of this, Rowland left The Birthday Party.

New Bands and Collaborations

After leaving The Birthday Party, Rowland joined a band called Crime & the City Solution. He even appeared in a 1987 movie called Wings of Desire. In the movie, his band played the song "Six Bells Chime."

Later, Rowland started his own band called These Immortal Souls. He formed it with his girlfriend, Genevieve McGuckin, and his brother, Harry Howard. Their first album, Get Lost, (Don't Lie!), came out in 1987.

Rowland also worked with many other musicians. Some of these included Lydia Lunch, Nikki Sudden, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

Later Music and Albums

In the 1990s, These Immortal Souls released their second album, I'm Never Gonna Die Again. Rowland also worked with Lydia Lunch again on an album called Shotgun Wedding. This album included cover versions of other songs.

Rowland sang backing vocals on the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album Let Love In in 1994. In 1995, he moved back to Melbourne from London.

Sadly, the drummer for These Immortal Souls, Epic Soundtracks, passed away in 1997. These Immortal Souls played their last show in 1998.

Final Years and Pop Crimes

Rowland Howard performing in Melbourne, 2007

In the 2000s, Rowland continued to make music. He even had a small role in the 2002 vampire movie Queen of the Damned. He appeared as a musician in a vampire club band.

In 2007, a special album was released to honor Rowland. Many musicians contributed to it. In 2009, Rowland performed at the All Tomorrows Parties music festival in Australia.

His second solo album, Pop Crimes, was released in October 2009. It received good reviews from other musicians.

Illness and Passing

Rowland Howard had a serious illness called Hepatitis C. In 2003, doctors told him his liver was very sick. In an interview in October 2009, he shared that he had liver cancer. He was waiting for a liver transplant.

Rowland passed away on December 30, 2009, at the age of 50. His funeral was held in Melbourne.

His bandmates from The Birthday Party shared their thoughts. Nick Cave said Rowland was "Australia's most unique, gifted and uncompromising guitarist." Mick Harvey said Rowland "really wanted to live" and was sad he wasn't well enough to keep making music.

Remembering Rowland Howard

In 2011, a documentary film about Rowland's life was released. It was called Autoluminescent: Rowland S. Howard. In 2013, a laneway in St Kilda, Melbourne, was named Rowland S. Howard Lane. This was to honor his contributions to the local music scene.

A group of Rowland's friends and bandmates formed a band called Pop Crimes: The Songs of Rowland S. Howard. They started performing in 2013. His music continues to be remembered and used, even in advertisements.

See also

• Crime & the City Solution
• The Birthday Party (band)
• These Immortal Souls

Awards

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR Awards) celebrate the success of Australia's independent music artists.