THE COWSILLS
The real-life inspiration behind the hit television series The Partridge Family, The Cowsills -- were one of the biggest pop acts of the late '60s.
Distinguished by their angelic harmonies and sun-kissed melodies. The group's origins lie with brothers Bill and Bob, who as children began their singing careers covering Everly Brothers hits.
Given guitars by their father, Navy man William "Bud" Cowsill, the siblings soon recruited younger brothers Barry and John to play bass and drums, respectively, and as Beatlemania dawned, the teen foursome began performing live at school dances and church socials throughout their native Newport, RI.
Eventually they landed a regular weekend gig at the local club, Dorians, on Bannisters Wharf, and in 1965, recorded the single "All I Really Wanta Be Is Me" on the Joda label; the record generated little response until an appearance on NBC's The Today Show.
The group then signed with Mercury Records, releasing three more singles. Upon signing with MGM in 1967, The Cowsills with their lineup now numbering seven (brother Paul, sister Susan and mother Barbara joining the original four) had their first million-selling single, “The Rain, the Park and Other Things” (usually called the flower girl song) which was featured most recently in Jim Carrey’s movie, “Dumb and Dumber”.
They performed on such notable TV shows as the Ed Sullivan Show, the Johnny Cash Show, the Tonight Show, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and also had their own NBC television special in 1968. “Indian Lake” and “We Can Fly” followed in the summer and in 1969 they had their biggest hit, the multi-million selling title song from the musical “Hair.”
The Cowsills also recorded the theme song for the TV show “Love, American Style” which is still one of the most popular songs they perform in their shows. They were one of the early pop acts to record commercials for television (nationally shown milk ads for the American Dairy Association) and there is currently a serious movement to ensure
their induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.
Today, The Cowsills tour and perform together (although brother Barry died during the Katrina hurricane and brother Bill passed away at the same time from illnesses in Canada) and their harmonies are still as infectious and bright as ever.
Bob Cowsill-Guitar, Vocals
Susan Cowsill-Guitar, Vocals
Paul Cowsill-Vocals
Russ Broussard-Drums/Percussion
Mary Lassiegne-Bass, Vocals
Ryan Cowsill-Keyboards
DISCOGRAPHY
The Cowsills plus the Lincoln Park Zoo
The Cowsills
We Can Fly
Captain Sad and his Ship of Fools
The Best of The Cowsills
The Cowsills In Concert
II x II
All Time Hits
On My Side
Global
The Best of The Cowsills - The Millennium Collection
SET LIST
75-90 minutes of hits and great memories. It varies by show but, here's a recent set:
Monday Monday
All I Really
Most of All
The Rain, The Park & Other Things
You're Not the Same Girl
We Can Fly
You've Got A Way to Make Me Smile
Indian Lake
The Time has Come
Bitter Jest
Love American Style
I Think I Love You
You in My Mind
Poor Baby
Just Believe It
Helplessly Hoping
Be My Baby
Under the Gun
Some Good Years
Covered Wagon
Hair
Shine
Nowhere Man
