He left Travers that year and later in the 1980s joined sisters Pam and Paula Mattioli in US AOR band Gypsy Queen (later to become Cell Mates in the early 1990s after Cowling's time in the band), appearing at the 1987 Reading Rock Festival and on Gypsy Queen's debut album before leaving the band later the same year. He rejoined Travers in 1989, and remained until 1993.
He departed Travers that year and subsequently in the 1980s joined sisters Pam and Paula Mattioli in US AOR band Gypsy Queen (later to become Cell Mates in the early 1990s after Cowling's tenure in the band), appeared at the 1987 Reading Rock Festival and on Gypsy Queen's debut album before departing the band later that same year. He rejoined Travers in 1989, and remained until 1993.