John Rowan dies: Blackie Onassis’ cause of death, Urge Overkill songs, age and more

John Rowan, the drummer for ’90s Chicago rock band Urge Overkill who performed under the name Blackie Onassis, passed away on Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 57. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. Let’s delve into John Rowan’s musical contributions, including his time with Urge Overkill, notable songs, and his impact on the alternative rock scene.

Rowan joined Urge Overkill, a Chicago-based band led by guitarists Nash Kato and Eddie “King” Roeser, in 1991. His addition to the group coincided with their transition from scuzzy neo-hardcore punk to suave purveyors of refurbished arena rock. As Blackie Onassis, Rowan played a pivotal role in Urge Overkill’s rise to prominence in the alternative rock scene of the 1990s.

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One of the band’s notable achievements was their version of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” which gained recognition when it was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s iconic film “Pulp Fiction” in 1994. Rowan remained with the band through their final major-label album, “Exit the Dragon,” released in 1995.

Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, John Rowan brought his distinct drumming style and energy to Urge Overkill. Alongside Kato and Roeser, he helped shape the band’s self-made mythology and persona. Urge Overkill embraced a tongue-in-cheek, ’70s-inspired image as suave ladies’ men, complete with a sense of ironic humor that alienated some old colleagues. However, their unique makeover garnered attention and positive reviews.

Rowan’s personal life began to be overshadowed by heroin use during this period, a well-known fact within the alternative rock community. Patty Schemel, the drummer for Hole, mentioned in her autobiography that Rowan, known as Blackie Onassis, had a regular heroin hookup in Chicago. References to Onassis’ addiction even surfaced in Urge Overkill’s 1995 album “Exit the Dragon,” indicating the challenges Rowan faced at the time.

Following the release of “Exit the Dragon,” Rowan faced legal trouble when he was arrested for heroin possession. Although the charges were later dropped, the incident marked a turning point for Urge Overkill.

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The band experienced a downward spiral, leading to Roeser’s departure in 1996. Kato attempted to keep the group together, but ultimately pursued a solo career, releasing the album “Debutante” in 2000, which featured significant contributions from Blackie Onassis.

After “Debutante,” Rowan seemingly disappeared from the public eye. Kato and Roeser reformed Urge Overkill in 2004 without his involvement. In subsequent interviews, the duo spoke about Rowan’s absence from video shoots and concerts, as well as his severed contact with the band. Rowan resided in Los Angeles at the time but had lost touch with Urge Overkill.