The real-life inspiration behind the hit television series The Partridge Family, the Cowsills -- teen siblings Bill, Bob, Barry, John, Susan, and Paul in tandem with mom Barbara -- were one of the biggest pop acts of the late '60s, scoring a series of hits including "The Rain, the Park and Other Things", “Indian Lake, "Hair," and the television theme song “Love, American Style”, distinguished by their angelic harmonies and sun-kissed melodies. The group's origins lie with Bill and Bob, who as children began their singing careers covering songs taught them by their mother then moving on to Everly Brothers, Ricky Nelson and beyond. 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. Soon the Cowsills landed a regular weekend gig at Dorian’s, the local club on Bannisters Wharf, and in 1965 recorded the single "All I Really Wanta Be Is Me" for the Joda label. The record generated some response, however, after an appearance on NBC's The Today Show the brothers were signed by Shelby Singleton to Mercury Records, issuing three more singles while still in high school and grade school.
Upon signing with MGM in 1967, The Cowsills, now with their mother in the band, finally 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, Dick Cavett, Joey Bishop, Jonathan Winters, and also had their own NBC television special in 1968. “Indian Lake” followed in the summer of ‘68 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 endorse commercial products for television ads (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, in addition to Bob and Susan performing individually, John is the drummer for the Beach Boys, and The Cowsills perform together with Bob, Susan, Paul and John (when he’s not with the Beach Boys). Brother Barry died in the Katrina hurricane and brother Bill passed away at the same time from illnesses in Canada so Bob’s son Ryan and Paul’s son Brendon have been added to the lineup so the Cowsills carry on, and their harmonies are still as infectious and bright as ever.
