Blackie Onassis was the stage name of John Rowan, a drummer who rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the alternative rock band Urge Overkill. He passed away on June 15, 2023, at the age of 57. His death was announced by his former bandmates on social media, but the cause of his death was not confirmed.
Biography: Early Life & Birthday
Blackie Onassis (real name: John Rowan) was the drummer of the American alternative rock band Urge Overkill from 1990 to 1996. He played on some of their most successful albums, such as The Supersonic Storybook, Saturation, and Exit the Dragon. He also contributed to their cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon”, which was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction.
According to some sources, Blackie Onassis was born in 1966, which would make him 57 years old at the time of his death. He passed away on 15 June 2023. His birthplace is not confirmed, but he was based in Chicago, Illinois, where Urge Overkill was formed.
There is not much information available about his education or early life. He joined Urge Overkill in 1990, replacing Jack “Jaguar” Watt as the drummer. He was known for his distinctive style and stage presence, often wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket
Career
He joined Urge Overkill in 1991, replacing original drummer Pat Byrne. He adopted the name Blackie Onassis as a tribute to his idol John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono. Onassis made his debut with Urge Overkill on their third album, The Supersonic Storybook, released in 1991 by the indie label Touch and Go Records.
The album showcased the band’s eclectic and ironic style, blending punk, hard rock, glam, and pop influences. Onassis also contributed vocals to some songs, such as “Today Is Blackie’s Birthday” and “The Polaroid Doll”.
Blackie Onassis BIO/WIKI
| Name | Blackie Onassis |
| Real Name | John Rowan |
| AKA | Johnny “Blackie Onassis” Rowan |
| Birthday | 1966 |
| Age | 57 years old (at the time of death) |
| Birthplace | The United States of America |
| Zodiac | Will Update |
| Parents | Mr. Rowan Mrs. Rowan |
| Siblings | Will Update |
| Relationship | Married |
| Wife | Lisa Rowan |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Children | Son: Johnny Jr. Daughter: Lola |
| Education | Graduate |
| Alma Mater | Reputed University |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Net Worth | $2 million (approx.) |
| Social Media | Instagram: BlackieOnassis |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (172 cm) |
| Weight | 72 kilograms (159 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Death Date | June 15, 2023 |
| Death Cause | Not confirmed |
Family: Parents & Siblings
Blackie Onassis, the drummer, had a family that included his father, Mr. Rowan, and his mother, Mrs. Rowan. While specific details about his parents have been provided, such as their names, no further information about their occupations or personal backgrounds is available.
Regarding Blackie Onassis’ siblings, unfortunately, no information has been provided or updated about them at this time. It’s worth noting that as public figures, celebrities often choose to keep certain aspects of their personal lives private, including details about their family members.
Mainstream Success and Pulp Fiction
In 1992, Urge Overkill signed with Geffen Records and released their major-label debut, Saturation. The album was a critical and commercial success, spawning the hit singles “Sister Havana” and “Positive Bleeding”. The band also gained exposure by opening for Nirvana on their Nevermind tour.
Urge Overkill’s breakthrough came in 1994 when their cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” was featured on the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. The song became a worldwide hit, reaching No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 11 on the Alternative Airplay chart. The song’s video, which featured scenes from the movie, was nominated for Best Video from a Film at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Exit the Dragon and Departure from Urge Overkill
Urge Overkill followed up their success with their fifth album, Exit the Dragon, released in 1995. The album was darker and more experimental than their previous work, reflecting the band’s personal and professional struggles. The album received mixed reviews and failed to match the sales of Saturation. The band also faced legal issues with Geffen Records over royalties and creative control.
Onassis left Urge Overkill in 1997, citing drug problems and musical differences. He did not rejoin the band when they reunited in 2004. However, he remained friends with his former bandmates and co-wrote some songs for Nash Kato’s solo album Debutante in 2000.
Marriage, Wife & Kids
Blackie Onassis was married to Lisa Rowan, who also performed as a singer under the name Lisa Lightning. They had two children together: a son named Johnny Jr. and a daughter named Lola. Onassis also had another son named Max from a previous relationship.
Death Cause
Onassis died on June 15, 2023, at the age of 57. His death was announced by Urge Overkill on their Instagram account: “Urge Overkill is saddened to report that Blackie has passed away. Please respect our privacy at this time. We are sending much love to his family and all his fans. We know he will be missed.” The cause of his death was not confirmed by his family or his band.
Net Worth
Blackie Onassis had an estimated net worth of $2 million at the time of his death. He earned most of his income from his music career with Urge Overkill and from royalties from their songs.
Legacy
Blackie Onassis was one of the most influential drummers of the alternative rock scene in the 1990s. He helped shape Urge Overkill’s distinctive sound and image, combining punk attitude with classic rock swagger. He was known for his powerful and versatile drumming style, as well as for his charismatic personality and sense of humor.
Onassis was also admired by many musicians and celebrities who were fans of Urge Overkill. One of them was Jack Black, who posted a photo with Onassis on his Instagram account shortly before his death, with the caption: “Blackie Onassis. Legend. RIP.”
Some Facts About Blackie Onassis
- Blackie Onassis was the stage name of John Rowan, who was the drummer of the ’90s alternative rock band Urge Overkill.
- He joined Urge Overkill in 1991 and played on their first major-label album, Saturation, which was released in 1993 by Geffen Records.
- Onassis also played on their cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon”, which was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction in 1994 and became their biggest hit, reaching No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Blackie was a native of Chicago’s South Side and lived in a Humboldt Park bank building nicknamed “the Bank” with his bandmates Nash Kato and Eddie “King” Roeser.
- He adopted the name Blackie Onassis as a tribute to his drumming skills and his fascination with the ’60s swinger culture. He once said, “I’m not Blackie Onassis because of my personal life, I’m Blackie Onassis because I drum in Urge. I like being Blackie Onassis; it’s like living in a musical wonderland.”
- Onassis co-wrote six songs with Nash Kato for his solo debut album Debutante, which was released in 2000.
- He left Urge Overkill in 1997 due to drug-related issues and did not rejoin them when they re-formed in 2004.
- Blackie was nominated for best video from a film at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards for “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon”.
- He opened for Nirvana on their Nevermind tour in 1991 and befriended Liz Phair, who named her debut album Exile in Guyville after an Urge Overkill song.
- He played on three albums with Urge Overkill: The Supersonic Storybook (1991), Saturation (1993), and Exit the Dragon (1995).
- Onassis died on June 15, 2023, at the age of 57. The cause of death was not revealed. His bandmates confirmed his death on social media and said, “We know he will be missed.”
- Blackie was influenced by the MC5, Neil Diamond, Anton LaVey, and Vegas culture. He described Urge Overkill’s mission as “to resurrect the era of the swinger — the late ’60s, the playboy life when America was a fun place.”
- He had a distinctive style of drumming that combined power and finesse. He used a Ludwig drum kit with Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth sticks.
- Blackie wore a medallion with the Urge Overkill logo around his neck and often sported sunglasses and leather jackets.
- He was known for his humor and charisma. He once said, “I don’t want to be famous. I just want to be rich and have sex with beautiful women.”
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