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Ed Kowalczyk

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Ed Kowalczyk
Kowalczyk performing in 2009
Kowalczyk performing in 2009
Background information
Born (1971-07-16) July 16, 1971 (age 54)
OriginYork, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1984–present
Labels
Member ofLive
Websitewww.edkowalczyk.com

Ed Kowalczyk (born July 16, 1971)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, musician who is the lead singer of the rock band Live. He launched a solo career after leaving Live in 2009, releasing his first album, Alive, in 2010. He rejoined Live in December 2016.

Early life

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Kowalczyk was born on July 16, 1971.[2] He grew up in York, Pennsylvania, and was raised in the Roman Catholic faith.[3] He graduated from William Penn High School in 1989 where he met his band mates Chad Taylor, Chad Gracey and Patrick Dahlheimer.[4]

Career

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Ed Kowalczyk was the lead singer, lyricist, and main songwriter for the band Live from its formation until 2009. When he left the band, the other three members issued a statement detailing what they felt were inappropriate actions by Kowalczyk in regards to contract and salary negotiations.[5] Kowalczyk was sued by the band, seeking damages and an injunction against using the name "Live".[6] Kowalczyk rejoined the band in December 2016 after months of rumors.[7] In June 2022, Kowalczyk took a 55% controlling ownership of the band, immediately firing founding guitarist Chad Taylor from the band.[8] In October 2022, Kowalczyk and three new touring musicians began performing as Live without Patrick Dahlheimer and Chad Gracey, leaving Kowalczyk as the sole remaining founding member of the band.

Kowalczyk discussing The Distance to Here in 2000

Following his departure from Live, Kowalczyk recorded his first solo album, Alive, which was released in 2010. In 2012, he recorded The Garden and in 2013 The Flood and the Mercy. In 2014-2016 he embarked on an extensive tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of Throwing Copper, playing acoustic concerts across the U.S., Europe and Australia.

Kowalczyk has worked with musicians Stuart Davis and Glen Ballard and singers Anouk, Neneh Cherry, Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, Red Wanting Blue, and Shelby Lynne. He featured on the song "Evolution Revolution Love," from the 2001 Tricky album Blowback. He collaborated with Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth (ex-Talking Heads, then performing as The Heads) on the song "Indie Hair" from their 1996 album No Talking, Just Head.[citation needed]

He appeared in the David Fincher film Fight Club as a waiter, his only film acting credit to date.

Political activities

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Kowalczyk performed John Lennon's "Imagine" with Slash in 2003 at "Peace on the Beach," a rally to protest the coming Iraq War.[9]

Kowalczyk is a member of Canadian charity Artists Against Racism and has worked with them on awareness campaigns.[10]

Personal life

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Kowalczyk is married and has 4 children. [11]He moved to Ridgefield, Connecticut in 2013 after having lived in Los Angeles, California.[12]

Discography

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See also: Live discography

Studio albums

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Year Album details Peak chart positions
US
[13] 		AUS
[14][15] 		BEL
(FL)
[14] 		NLD
[14]
2010 Alive
  • Released: July 6, 2010
  • Label: Soul Whisper
  • Format: CD
 166 42 27 4
2013 The Flood and the Mercy
  • Released: October 29, 2013
  • Label: Soul Whisper
  • Format: CD
 — — 136 —

EPs

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Year EP details
2012 The Garden
  • Released: November 2012
  • Label: Harbour
  • Format: Download

Singles

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Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US
Alt. 		AUS
[15] 		NLD
2001 "Evolution Revolution Love"
(Tricky featuring Ed Kowalczyk & Hawkman) 		35[16] — 79[17] Blowback
2010 "Grace" — 100 — Alive
"Stand" — — —
2013 "Seven" — — — The Flood and the Mercy

Songs in TV

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References

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  1. ^ "Happy birthday, Ed Kowalczyk!" MTV.com
  2. ^ "UPI Almanac for Tuesday, July 16, 2024". United Press International. July 16, 2024. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025.
  3. ^ O'Connor, Dave (October 1, 2010). "With 'Alive,' former Live frontman Ed Kowalczyk shows his faith, and his talent, are exactly that". Lancaster Online. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025.
  4. ^ https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2016/11/17/live-reunites-lead-singer/94044798/#:~:text=Kowalczyk%2C%20Chad%20Taylor%2C%20Chad%20Gracey,Penn%20High%20School%20in%201989.
  5. ^ Michael Alan Goldberg, "No Lead Singer Bonus For You, Ed Kowalczyk!" Archived December 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Make Major Moves Blog, philadelphiaweekly.com – December 7, 2009
  6. ^ "Live Sue Former Frontman Ed Kowalczyk". Rolling Stone. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  7. ^ Young, Alex (December 12, 2016). "Live reunite with singer Ed Kowalczyk, announce world tour and new music". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  8. ^ "Live Frontman Claims Control of Band, Guitarist Fired Amidst Internal Drama". Loudwire. June 21, 2022.
  9. ^ "IMAGINE (Slash)" YouTube
  10. ^ "Radio". Artists Against Racism. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  11. ^ https://www.ctpost.com/music/article/Former-Live-frontman-Ed-Kowalczyk-playing-5654721.php
  12. ^ https://www.staugustine.com/story/entertainment/arts/2013/01/31/interview-ed-kowalczyk-former-lead-singer-live/16154947007/
  13. ^ Rhett, What Went Wrong?…Live Archived December 9, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Drone – November 2, 2010
  14. ^ a b c "Chart History for Alive" dutchcharts.nl
  15. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 157.
  16. ^ Tricky – Blowback > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles Allmusic
  17. ^ "Dutch Chart History for Evolution Revolution Love" dutchcharts.nl
  18. ^ "Soundtrack details for West Wing episode Manchester (part 1)" IMDb
  19. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin "Killing Bono Soundtrack To Feature Song By Pre-U2 Group The Hype" indieWire – February 23, 2011
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