Wednesday, March 6, 2013

EXCLUSIVE: The Dark But Inspirational Story of the Cowsills, the "Real-Life" Partridge Family

The Cowsills in the late 1960s
Arguably no song better encapsulated the sunny, innocent side of the 1960's than The Rain, The Park, and Other Things by The Cowsills. Released in 1967, a year identified by both the flowery Summer of Love and fiery protests against the Vietnam War, the song combined ethereal, organ-infused psychedelia with stunning harmonies and an unapologetically sweet, pure-pop innocence that you just don't hear in music now. It may be my favorite a.m. radio hit from that music-rich decade.

The Rain, The Park, and Other Things sold more than three million copies and brought quick and deserved fame to the Cowsills, a family band from Newport, Rhode Island that would later become the real-life inspiration for TV's The Partridge Family. When as a kid I first saw the clean-cut, all-American Cowsills on The Ed Sullivan Show, I remember thinking how lucky they were to be playing music together as a family, on national television. 


But the pure joy in their songs (HairLove American StyleIndian Lakebelied the Cowsills' private pain. The group, composed of siblings Billy, Bob, Paul, Barry, John, and Susan, plus their mom Barbara, was managed by father William "Bud" Cowsill, a domineering and abusive ex-Navy officer who beat, bullied, and alienated his children and tore the band apart.



The Cowsills today - Paul, Susan and Bob
"Our dad was a tough guy. If you didn't say 'yes sir,' you'd get smacked, simple as that," says Bob Cowsill, 63, one of the surviving members of the family and narrator of a new documentary on the Cowsills debuting tonight on Showtime. 

In an exclusive interview with The Reno Dispatch, Bob Cowsill told me that neither he nor any of his siblings ever patched things up with their father. "He ruined the band, and destroyed many of our lives," Bob says. "He wouldn't even let my twin brother Richard in the band. He and my dad had it in for each other. It was terrible that he wouldn't let Richard join in, I know it broke his heart."


The documentary, Family Band: The Cowsills Storywhich was made over a seven-year period in which brothers Bill and Barry died, tells the real story of the Cowsills for the first time. Skillfully directed by Louise Palankar, a lifelong fan of the band, the film chronicles the family's raging patriarch as well as the substance abuse and other issues that have plagued the siblings over the years. 


But thankfully it isn't all gloom and doom. The documentary also includes a nice dose of redemption, plenty of fun 60's nostalgia, and some truly great music. 


The Cowsills are an eternally underrated band. They were skilled musicians who wrote many of their own songs, and their four- and five-part harmonies at times rivaled The Beach Boys. Billed as "America's First Family of Music," the Cowsills were among the most popular pop bands in America in the late 60's. They were all over television, with appearances on Ed Sullivan, The Tonight Show, American Bandstand and much more. They hosted their own NBC-TV special and even became spokespersons for the American Dairy Association, appearing in milk commercials and print ads. They also recorded the popular theme to the ABC-TV comedy anthology Love American Style.


The band even challenged their own wholesome image, and their dictatorial father, by recording the title song from the acclaimed hippie counterculture musical Hair (check out this 60s-era video of the band hamming it up in hippie wigs). The song shot to the top of the singles charts in 1969 at the same time as three other classic interpretations from that musical: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In by the Fifth Dimension, Good Morning Starshine by Oliver, and Easy to be Hard by Three Dog Night.


"I met the members of The Fifth Dimension at the time, and we shared a laugh over the fact that both of our songs from Hair, as well as the Three Dog Night song and the Oliver song, were all in the top ten at that moment," Bob recalls. "It was pretty amazing. We were honored to be part of that. We were excited about the success of the song and hoping it would be the beginning of a more mature direction for the band." 


Despite that hope, Bob says everyone in the group knew it was only a matter of time before it would all come crashing down.


"The public never knew what was really going on in our family," says Bob. "For example, my dad and my brother Bill had a huge fight in a restaurant in Vegas in 1969 that involved police, and it was all kept out of the papers, never a word. Just before dad tossed Bill from the band, they just had it out. We were all victims of his abuse, mental and physical."


Bud was the one who pulled the plug on signing the Cowsill kids up for the "Partridge" TV show when it was learned that Barbara Cowsill's role would be played by someone else (Shirley Jones). 



"Yeah, dad nixed that," Bob says. "But contrary to popular belief, it wasn't bad news to us. We had just had a huge hit with Hair, and we knew that a TV show would take up all of our time. We were happy recording and touring. We wanted to do the music."

As it turned out, Hair was the family's last hit single. The band self destructed as resentment toward Bud Cowsill grew. Dropped by their record label, the group permanently disbanded in 1971. Barry and Bill went off to do solo work while Susan and three of the brothers, Bob (on guitar and organ), John (on drums) and Paul occasionally reunited on tour. The band - Bob, Susan and Paul - still tours to this day. And they can all still sing, very nicely. John Cowsill has been the drummer for The Beach Boys for years.


Barbara died of cancer in 1985 at age 56 and father Bud passed away in 1992 at age 67. Son Barry, the bassist and reported Danny Bonaduce-like prototype who battled severe depression and substance abuse, was a 2005 victim of Hurricane Katrina. Lead singer/guitarist Billy, also an alcohol and drug abuser, died from chronic health problems in 2006. Both brothers were in their 50s.


The Cowsills story is chillingly similar to that of two other musical families from that era: The Beach Boy brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson and their sadistic, megalomaniacal father Murry Wilson, and the Jackson Five and their abusive father Joe Jackson


Bob is grateful the band had so much success, but he believes that had it not been for his father, "We would have had 20 more hits. We were just getting started." Bob regrets that there was never a reconciliation with any of the Cowsill siblings and their father. And he's still angry that his dad never saved any of the money the band made, and never set up any trust funds or bank accounts for any of his children.


"That would be illegal to do that today," he says. "We never get a dime from anything, and our songs are still out there. The Rain, The Park, and Other Things, our original recording, was featured in the movie Dumb and Dumber and we weren't even told about it, let alone paid for it."


Bob says he and the other surviving members have come to terms with their difficult past, and with themselves. And he notes that his dad did pay one final, unexpected visit to each of the Cowsill siblings not long before he died.


"He was living in Mexico, but he came to visit me one last time," Bob recalls. "It had been a long time since I had seen him. I didn't get to see my mother much, either, because she stayed with him. But one time he just got in his his Volkswagen bus, with his white hair and white beard like Ernest Hemingway, and showed up at my door. He said he just wanted to stop by. I didn't even know what to say."


Bud went with Bob that day to see his son play baseball, and then went with him to his wife's tennis lesson. "He didn't say much," Bob says. "But there was one thing he said that I will never forget. He asked me, 'Are you prejudiced?' I said, 'Of course not, dad.' And he said, 'At least I did something right.' Then he left."


Bob says he never saw his father again. But his father left $1,000 on Bob's table that day. "He visited all of us like that, every one of us," Bob says. "And he asked all of us the same question."


80 comments:

  1. In the late 60s while I lived in Panama I became acquainted with this wonderful group. I listened to the only record I owned of The Cowsills (the one where they are standing near a roof) over and over. It was impossible not to burst out signing and dancing to the wonderful words and harmonies then and now. I loved their music! It's very sad to find out that one person got in the way of their success and caused so much pain. Nice to know that three of the members still sing and delight their fans.

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    1. Thanks for sharing this... whoever you are. :) So glad you enjoyed the story and enjoyed the band's music.

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    2. What a sad sad sad story. Everything seems to be behind doors, greed , controlling ,Abuse. The only great part of this whole story is. YOU THE COWSILLS ARE FAMILY and you did have each other!!!!! Not Dad! Your poor mom I'm thinking. Your Dad controlled her without you knowing it seems. I have respect for all of you.

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    3. I've heard Bud was a heroin addict, an addiction he developed during WW2. Any truth to that?

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  2. WOW, What a blast from to past. Love there music but have not heard it in so long one tends to forget the great 60-70s music that no band now can produce that loving,lay back and daydream music that you cannot help but feel better for hearing it and uplifting feeling felt inside. Thanks for the story, I was unaware of the sad trials and tribulations of there life. I think the family must have lived by these words " THE SHOW MUST GO ON "

    Thanks for the memories (Harc)

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    1. Thanks Harc. The show must go on, indeed. The Cowsill siblings who are still with us are survivors in the truest sense!!

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    2. They should write books and tour the world to share
      how to deal with such awful abusive challenges as
      well as they did. These days people fall apart and
      go postal for the most lame reasons. The world needs
      to grow up, get a backbone, lace up their bootstraps
      and get on with life in as positive a manner as these
      children did. All things considered, they handled their
      horrible upbringing better than anyone would today! My
      hat is off to them and I'm so glad they were so strong
      under such tragic circumstances. God Bless & Keep Them...

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    3. Although not famous, my 5 siblings and I suffered abuse from our father, which seems at least somewhat similar to the Cowsills'. I've never read that they had counseling, but it sure has helped me. I don't think one can totally get past that kind of abuse, but we can still have joy and live productive lives. I guess my point to Anonymous is that everyone has a different story and telling people to just "grow up, get a backbone, etc." is easier said than done, so please don't minimize people's pain. I'm a teacher, and I see many students who come from harsh situations (I've even reported child abuse a number of times) who are doing the best they can. I'm not defending mass shooters; I'm just saying there are all kinds of ways to abuse children, and it's something they will carry for the rest of their lives.

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  3. Jamie:

    Great post. I always loved this group but I had no idea that all of us was going on in the background. We listened to them in Vietnam on AFN Radio. Keep it up, my friend.

    John Cook

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    1. Thanks for sharing that, John. Very cool. I'm sure these guys were popular with the troops during the Vietnam War. Yeah, I know a lot of our guys were listening to the harder stuff, like Hendrix and Cream and Credence, but a lot were listening to the Cowsills, too!

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    2. In my catholic grade schools the boys all thought Susan Cowsill was hot in her little mini-skirt. Good pop music for more innocent times.

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  4. I went to a car show in the late 1960's in Corpus Christi, Texas and they had a group performing on the stage which at first, I thought looked like the Partridge Family but then I realized it was the Cowsills (after all, the Patridge Family was just a TV creation). Since I was learning the guitar at the time and always interested in watching good live music, I stood and listened for a long time. I especially liked when they played the Stone's Honky-Tonk Women. The guitar licks sounded as good as if the Stone's were playing it. Great article, now I know more of their story and I appreciate it.

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  5. Thanks Bill, well said. They are indeed a very talented family, every one of them can sing and play and write songs. a very sad but also inspiring story. i hope you get a chance to see that documentary, it's on showtime something like 9 more times in April. Thanks for reading.

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  6. back then everyones dads were strict. ahh the good ol days, at least in my neighborhood.

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    1. That's a ridiculous statement. Their father was way, way beyond strict. He was physically abusive, a horrible man who traumatized the entire family.

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    2. According to the documentary he raped Susan repeatedly up until age 11. That's not "strict."

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    3. He was much more than just "strict". He verbally, mentally and sexually abused members of the family. He was a very sick man and they have to live with the results of his abuse the rest of their lives.

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    4. Fair enough anonymous. but where was jesus, where was god, when these cowsill children were being physically and even sexually abused by their father?

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    5. Jamie, God gives us all FREE WILL to choose Good or Evil, he doesnt force us to bend a knee and worship him, he gives you a choice and he is not going to try to catch you every time you fall and skin your knee or stop you from doing what you want to do, he does give us guidlines and Laws on how to live properly so these things wouldnt happen, but everyone chooses their path to go down. So stop blaming God just because he gave you free will to choose!

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    6. I can't begin to say how your trite, rote, judgemental response upsets me. I think your Jesus would say y'know you just don't get it. And I think your God can defend himself if he wants too, so no worries on your part.

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    7. So Susan used her free will to choose to be raped by her father? No wonder you want to be anonymous. Idiot.

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  7. My father sounds a lot like their father and I grew up in the same era. That was NOT being strict. Being strict is be home by 10 or your grounded. This was horrible, abuse that went on 24/7 and left scars that are hard to erase. I feel for this family. I still have a hard time now, I can only imagine what they are going through. God bless them for making music to help me forget and be happy for a little while.

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    1. i think fathers from that era who had served is ww2 felt like they had to be tough on their kids. my dad was tough but no molestation or physical abuse.sounds like bud cowsill may have had some mental problems. factor that is to fighting in a world war and that's a recipe for disaster. suffice to say the band was in a word WONDERFUL!!

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  8. Excellent article, Jamie. I'm going to make it a mission to catch up on as much of your writings as I can. Hope the YouTube videos of your songs are a big hit! :)

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  9. Sadly, it appears that the mother was aware that the father was sexually abusing the daughter and did nothing.

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    1. Yes, I keep wondering about the mother. I think she may have been just as much a victim as the kids. It's difficult for me to understand how she could have stayed. I can only assume she was abused as well.

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    2. I loved their music when I found it later. But after watching the documentary, I think their later music is even better. Am hoping it is put on a CD

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    3. The mother was aware of the sexual abuse but she finally asked Susan where she wanted to go and Susan said with Paul so she left the house and went to live with her brother Paul. The mother stayed with her husband. It seems she was just as sick as he was.

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    4. The mother was aware of the sexual abuse but she finally asked Susan where she wanted to go and Susan said with Paul so she left the house and went to live with her brother Paul. The mother stayed with her husband. It seems she was just as sick as he was.

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  10. I saw The Cowsills recently when they performed in North Carolina. The show was fantastic as true joy just beamed from the stage. The Cowsills love music and they love playing their music for people. True, they have suffered a lot of pain but they have survived and risen above it. They are a true inspiration for other abused persons. I will always be grateful to The Cowsills for all they have brought to my life and I'm sure the lives of many, many others.

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  11. I saw the movie last night and it was bittersweet to see the abusive father, the talented family, the problems as they grew older, and the lost money. They could have gone a lot further and been much happier without Bud.

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  12. Thanks for the story, I will always be grateful to The Cowsills
    bola.indobwin.com

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  13. The remaining Cowsill's really should be honored by the music industry. They were ahead of their time (and ahead of the music industry times), they had and have REAL talent (unlike all the untalented, canned singers mass produced today). I was a little kid when they put out their first song. What a shame this family did not reach their potential because of abusive parents. I can relate, as my father was just like the Cowsill father. My father had it in for me like Mr. Cowsill had it in for Richard. I did not reach my potential either and have struggled my whole life to this day (still have not made anything of myself). At least the kids in the Cowsill family have a great musical talent (I have nothing to fall back on). I still love their music and amazing vocal harmonies! What a shame some of them are already gone. To the Cowsill's: You still have fans to this day. It would be awesome for another generation to discover your music.

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    1. James I just loved your article and am so glad you published it. I was such a fan back in the day, I truly didn’t know they were still making music. Now I listen to their new stuff and I love it too.

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  14. billy cowsill lived with me on west 11th ave in Vancouver during 1993;94 I remember when his dad died, and remember billy borrowing the money from myself, colin james, and jim byrnes, and tom lavin to attend his dads funeral, but at no time did his dad come to our flat and leave a thousand dollars, prior to his death, but to be honest id would give all I have to just hear billy sing once more the man was and is a legend. my brother , my friend, and guitar guru. rest peacefully mate.

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    1. His band, the Blue Shadows, was awesome. They should have been bigger.

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    2. So true! Bill was a legend who deserved so much better than Bud for a father. I recently discovered the Cowsills again, it’s so good to hear those beautiful voices on YouTube. Billy had the voice and the music of an angel

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  15. I went to Hollywood Professional School where they attended. The boys were very conceited at that time. Not sure if Susan went there. Butch Patrick from the Monster was there at the time and he was great, so much fun.

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    1. I have found that kids who are being abused at home sometimes come off as conceited, when they are really anything but.

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    2. Someone mentioned that the Cows ills boys went to a professional school. That is not mentioned in any of the biographies. What us written us that the older boys went to public school and the younger children only went to school for a few years, then went on the road with the band. They had a tutor who travelled with them but Susan said she didn't teach them much because she was only interested in flirting with the older boys. Finally after they disbanded, Susan went to public school for one year. Then she left.

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    3. Someone mentioned that the Cows ills boys went to a professional school. That is not mentioned in any of the biographies. What us written us that the older boys went to public school and the younger children only went to school for a few years, then went on the road with the band. They had a tutor who travelled with them but Susan said she didn't teach them much because she was only interested in flirting with the older boys. Finally after they disbanded, Susan went to public school for one year. Then she left.

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  16. I knew the family in the late 60s when I worked at MGM Records in NY. Had a big crush on Bill and remember how devastated I was when his engagement was announced. Used to go to recording sessions and personal appearances. Nice family except, of course, for the dad. Heard about Bill dying and Barry dying in Katrina--very sad.

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  17. Wow, I never knew this. I was a huge fan of the Cowsills - a band with kids my own age! I thought they were awesome and I bought every album. I'm saddened to think their family life was not as wonderful as I imagined.

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  18. I remember their songs that played on the radio " indian lake and the rain the park and other things the music is unforgettable ,beautiful and takes me back when I was a small kid . They were truly original and talented and they have no rival. But its sad to hear the inside stories of the abuse this family endured during that time unfortunate no one from outside the family could not have stepped in to help out and protect their money legally. But the sixties was another era in the sense the father ruled the home and outsiders had to mind their own business . This was time when seeking help or counseling was very rare in those days.

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  19. I loved the Cowsills when I was a kid. I always wondered what became of them because they were there for a while and then they disappeared. Being a kid, I wasn't that aware. But I did enjoy their music. Hearing it again brings back memories! Thanks for writing the article.

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  20. My cousin & I saw the Cowsills at the South Shore Music Circus in MA and at the Hatch Shell in Boston. We loved the Cowsills and I always wondered what had happened to them. So sorry to hear about Barry and Bill and happy to know that the others have survived. Wish only the best for all of them. Thanks for the music and the memories.

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  21. Thank you for writing this article... a very informative portrait of a very talented family who deserved far more than what they had to endure. "Hair" was an inspiration -- my favorite song at the time ( I was in 5th grade)-- Silver Threads & Golden Needles was also a masterpiece, as was The Rain, the Park & Other Things. All their stuff was quality, the kind of quality the 60's music had that is sadly absent today. I saw the documentary, and their recent performance of The Rain sounded amazing. What impressed me the most about them was their love for music, their love for each other, and Bob's quest to find closure and make sense of it all. Very moving.

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  22. I saw the documentary and it broke my heart. I always wondered what happened to The Cowsills. It seemed like over night they were gone! I loved their music then and I love it now. I remember their milk commercials "It's a milk day, one that will refresh you!" Thank you for the article.

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  23. I am reading this today, a few days after I learned of Richard Cowsill's death. I knew Richard for many years in the early 2000s - just as a neighbor. I met Barry when he would come to visit. I always wondered why he was not a part of the Cowsills. I feel deprived to not grow up in the era of the Cowsills and have been able to experience what they had to offer. Being from Newport, they are local "heroes" and knowing Richard - he was just an all around great guy. I was saddened to hear of his passing. Susan will be in town tomorrow for a solo performance - a homecoming just after the loss of her brother. This family has been through so much, they are so strong. I am glad I came to know more about them. Thank you. I will always have a great memory of Richard smiling in my heart.

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  24. Glad to hear you knew Richard and Barry. I, too, just found out a few days ago about Richard. I got in touch with some of the Cowsills with my condolences. Never got to meet Richard, Barry-one of my 13-year-old crushes, or Bill. To this day, still kicking myself for not seeing Barry perform in New Orleans, but two years ago, found my scrapbook I'd made of the Cowsills' teen magazine pics and pin-ups I had on my bedroom walls. Was determined to research the group. Was able to contact them, and 2012 I got to meet Bob, Paul, Susan, and last year, went to their induction ceremony into the RI Music Hall of Fame where I got to meet John-my other 13-year-old crush. John, also, was very nice. When this great family became public, I just sensed that I would love to get to know this family, besides their musical talents. And I finally got to. They are all super people.

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  25. good archieve material I am at present listening to their 3 L.P.,s what memories their songs were very happy sounding they were some of the first music I owned together with the beatles thanks cowsills you were great

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  26. I enjoyed your article. I saw the documentary last night. I wasn't a big fan of theirs but did like a few of their songs. My sister was a big fan though and got to see them when they played at a school assembly in Huntsville, AL in the mid-60's - ticket price was $0.25. I watched the documentary because I was curious as to what had become of them. What I saw was their great love of music, that is what sustained them then and continues to sustain them now.

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  27. I am 55 years old and remember the music of the Cowsills so vividly and it brings back fond carefree memories. I admire their courage, strength and perseverance of the band to perform and give so much joy to others on the stage. But then, when they left the stage, they had to go home to their Monster father. No wonder some of the boys looked to drugs and alcohol to cope.
    Thank you for sharing the intimate details of your family. It makes the music and the memories all the more precious. May God bless you all and bring you peace!

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  28. I didn't discover them until the 1980s, but I loved them passionately and always will.

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  29. I heard a lot about you all,and listen to your music, because of my mother.now its 2014.and now I see what you all went through when you were younger trying to make peoples happy with your music.I know, my mother loved your music.and I did too.I know I will pass it down to my kids,and hopefully they'll pass it down to theirs.you all never be forgotten.and like one of your brother said,we were all born in the same family, our parents where are parents,we couldn't fix it,we couldnt change it,but somehow, through it all,for the best of our ability,we raise one another, and we're not done either!! we never stop growing up, after all, and if you are lucky, you have people in your life, that you call your family!! and if you're truly fortune it, YOU WILL FIGURE OUT HOW TO LOVE EACH OTHER!
    god Bless each and everyone of you and I'm so glad that I heard your guyses story!!!
    sincerely, Patrick

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    1. I was and am a big fan of the Cowsills and their music. So happy and carefree! They certainly were able to hide their pain from the outside world. The music and togetherness probably helped! I have not seen the documentary yet, but will make a point of watching it. To the remaining family members I wish only the best for you! May God bless you.

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  30. Just finished listening to a "Cowsill" song on the radio, and commented-----so talented, what happened, thanks for letting us know----Sad--could have been so much better, and still here...

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  31. I lived on Cape Cod in 1969 and knowing the.Cowsills where from nearby Rhode Island I always liked them, I was 10 in 1969. Then the 70s, 80s, times changed. I was a Punk Rocker hardcover from about 1974 til the late 90s. All thru the Punk years I always had some Cowsills Music handy. We even did punk covers of there songs. They were so beautifully written we did a good job on them. Not just 3 cord riffs. I always had a crush on Susan. She was magic on her Tambouine

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  32. I loved their music. I would come home from school and listen to my favorite album "Captain Sad and his Ship of Fools." After "Hair" which I had as a single, the Cowsills seemed to up and disappear. I wondered for a while what had become of them before deciding that the older boys had probably gone away to college. It's horrible what they endured from the nasty old dad.

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  33. Ironic that by watching the Partridge Family, I came to assume that the Cowsills were manufactured too. Now I learn they were on par with the Beach Boys. Thanks for turning my head around

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    1. Thanks Mark. Yes, the Cowsills are the real deal.

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  35. I never bought any of their stuff (I was only 7 when they became famous), but my sister got an 8-track in 68 with that "flower girl" song on it. She played it so much, I still can't get it out of my head after 47 years.

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  36. Just spent this past week on a cruise with the Cowsills and 4 other groups with Concerts at Sea. The Cowsills are the nicest, friendliest people. Their music is still great and they are a FUN band. We had a blast with them.

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  37. This group was always a big part of my life. I'm so glad I found them again. I can't believe all the hardship they endured, and I'm devasted at the loss of Billy and Barry. They are still the best.

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  38. I remember Billy Cowsill would play the Fairview Pub on West Broadway regularly in Vancouver for years - you could see him for the price of a drink. He looked frail but was always great - he had a lot of friends and admirers in Canada.

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  39. We just saw them on the Happy Together Tour, and it brought back so many memories. Ironic that the pain they were going through was not at all evident in their music, and that their music still brings so many smiles to those who listened to them on the radio, in the 60's. Everyone at the concert was excited to see them and was on their feet when Hair was played!

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  40. I love each and every one of them Barbara had a beautiful voice and was a beautiful lady for those who have so much to say about the father well it's nice you are so perfect and have made so many wonderful decisions. Great memories and they sound is great today as they did when I was 8 years old

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  41. I wonder why the mom didn’t pack up and remove the children from that mess. After all there are plenty of business managers and it was her resposibility to take care of her children.

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    1. (Edited)
      It isn't easy to leave an abusive relationship. I know from experience, though I thank God for the strength & courage to finally end it. My family's history, bad as it was, doesn't come close to what the Cowsill family endured, but even 25 years later I suffer from PTSD & I'm sure my kids do as well. As i said leaving is difficult, & for some even impossible. Abusers control others using fear. I remember wondering if he would hurt us even more, or possibly kill us, if I made him leave? Would I be able to support my kids alone? Those fears can paralyze. I can't begin to guess what was going through Barbaras mind, yet even as a survivor myself, knowing now what all went on back then, I can't fully understand why she stayed, but I'm in no position to judge. That's God's job, not mine. Those wonderful kids deserved so much more than mere survival. I'm so happy to hear that they broke the cycle with their own families! I have been a fan since I first heard "Rain..." & saw them in concert (sadly not with Bill). One of the happiest nights of my teenaged life! Today, though their story hurts my heart to the quick, I'm so glad I have "found" them again! God bless them all, & may those who departed this life too soon be resting peacefully in the everlasting, loving arms of God

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    2. I think about that a lot. I am still angry with their mother for not leaving him. But I am sure she was scared to death that he would come after her and hurt her and even kill er. He was psychotic, a really troubled man. A monster.

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  45. Jamie,

    You ask where God was. I watched the documentary late last night, and can't get the story and the family out of my mind. They remind me of our family of 6 kids. I love and loved their music and the way they worked so beautifully together. Tragedy hit us too in those years, and tore our family apart. Now, we cannot comfort one another, or even be friends.

    I see God in them, the kids/adults who remained. Their talent is from God, their outlook is from God, and in a difficult way, His gift to them in light of their pain has been to love one another and reflect his goodness in their uplifted voices. Each and every one so talented, and together like a choir of angels.

    They honor God and their flawed parents and themselves when they perform.

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