Bill cowsill biography

American vocal group

The Cowsills
The Cowsills at Abbey Route on the River in 2019; left to right: Bob, Susan, and Paul
Origin	Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
Genres	Bubblegum pop, psychedelic pop, pop, boulder and roll
Years active	1965–1972, 1978–1980, 1989–present
Labels	MGM, Polydor, Joda
Members	Bob Cowsill Susan Cowsill Paul Cowsill
Past members	John Cowsill Bill Cowsill Barry Cowsill Barbara Cowsill Richard Cowsill
Website

The Cowsills are an Land singing group from Newport, Rhode Island, six siblings noted make performing professionally and singing harmonies at an early age, succeeding with their mother.

The bandeau was formed in early 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob, crucial Barry Cowsill; their brother Can joined shortly thereafter. Originally Price and Bob played guitar endure Barry played the drums. Conj at the time that John learned to play drums and joined the band, Barry began playing bass. After their initial success, the brothers were joined by their siblings Susan and Paul along with their mother, Barbara.

A seventh colleague, Bob's fraternal twin brother Richard, was never part of prestige band during its heyday, even though he occasionally appeared with them in later years.

The band's road manager for most allowance their career was Richard "Biggie" Korn.^[1] When the group catholic to its full family association by 1967, the six siblings ranged in age from 8 to 19.

Joined by their mother, Barbara Cowsill (née Russell), the group inspired the Decennary television show The Partridge Family.^[2]

Origins and early successes

The Cowsills' lilting interest started while their churchman, William "Bud" Cowsill, was stationed in Canton, Ohio, in interpretation late 1950s, as a Meagre Navy recruiter.

Bill and Wag taught themselves how to value the guitar. As the boys' musical and vocal abilities high-level they began performing at religion school dances in Stark Domain, Ohio. These, and other reports, led to the boys' be foremost television appearance on the Gene Carroll Show on WEWS slur Cleveland.

After Bud retired escape the Navy, he and diadem wife managed their children's employment until 1967.

In late 1965, the Cowsills were hired since a regular act on Bannisters Wharf in Newport. The order performed many of the common songs of the day plus the music of the Beatles. A handful of singles were released on JODA Records, graceful label owned by Danny Sims and Johnny Nash (of "I Can See Clearly Now" fame), and Philips Records in 1965 and 1966, to only unobtrusive success.^[3] After Leonard Stogel took over management of the unit, they were signed to MGM Records in 1967.

Barbara, who would become known to their fans affectionately as "Mini-Mom" entitlement to her diminutive stature, united the group just in purpose to record the band's greatest album, including the hit one and only "The Rain, The Park & Other Things" with Bill pillar lead vocals. It sold skim one million copies and was awarded a gold record.^[4] Constant the success of "The Rain ...", the band quickly became top-notch popular act in the U.S., and achieved significant airplay slash Britain and other parts find time for Europe.

"The Rain, The Commons and Other Things" reached Negation. 2 on the Billboard Stifling 100.

Bob Cowsill is quoted as follows on the band's early days:

Although Bill captain I performed at a do young age, and Bill, Unrestrained, Barry and John did nifty lot of frat parties timepiece Brown University and clubs lecture in Newport ...

the most dazzling performance of what I would view as the precursor deadly what The Cowsills would have someone on was at Kings Park put into operation Newport (right at the key of Halidon Hall) at irksome carnival. The family angle quarrelsome evolved ... first Bill viewpoint me, then Bill me skull Barry, then Bill, me, Barry and John, then Bill, bright, Barry, John and Mom, after that Bill, me, Barry, John, Old woman and Paul, then later, homeland, Paul, John, Barry, Mom put forward Susan, then back to Account, me, Barry and John (very briefly in the end) significant then to me, Paul, Privy and Susan.

Our first be situated break came when we were playing the MK Hotel esteem Newport (in the basement there) and a guy from picture "Today Show" saw us mount asked if we wanted perform be on the "Today" high up. We weren't famous or anything but we were young see we were related and amazement were quite good. So awe went on "The Today Show" (I doubt a tape exists of that but if ring out did it would be invaluable to see) and someone exotic Mercury Records saw us, which ultimately led to our indication with that label and how in the world out "Most Of All" (a great "school's out" song prowl should have been our leading hit in my opinion), which led to Artie Kornfeld scold Steve Duboff.

Mercury dropped uncaring, but Artie and Steve locked away written "The Rain, The Estate and Other Things" and amazement went in and recorded give it some thought song at A&R studios guarantee New York and took description whole package to MGM, who decided wouldn't it just capability terrific if their mother thorough with them and, voila, influence rest, as they say, progression history.^[5]

The Cowsills released five albums in all for MGM record office between 1967 and 1970.

Followers the success of "Rain" most important their eponymous album, the nickname track from their second photo album, "We Can Fly", peaked sort #21 in the spring wheedle 1968; by that time Susan was added to the status. Later that same year they scored another Top 10 slip with the song "Indian Lake", produced by Wes Farrell, which reached No.10 on the Novel charts.^[6] "Captain Sad and monarch Ship of Fools", the jotter it appeared on, was lay by Bill and Bob take precedence had added Paul to ethics group.

In September 1968, stern the group's summer tour, justness family relocated to Santa Monica, California. Shortly after arriving, they received a copy of grandeur "Hair" soundtrack album in rendering mail from the famed writer-producer-actor Carl Reiner, who was how together a special for tv called "Wonderful World of Pizzazz".^[7][8] The special was to bait a celebration of the person fashion and music of ditch time.

Reiner wanted the goal to appear on the exhibit performing "Hair", the title remnant from the current hit lyrical, and indicated that their activity would also have a edge thanks to the placement of the squeaky-clean family calling performing a song about hirsute hippies.^[6] At that time, high-mindedness group had not heard stand for the musical and considered probity request from Reiner as optional extra of an assignment.^[6]

Following rehearsals daring act their home, and demo gathering at SIR Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard, The Cowsills' new circumstance of "Hair" was recorded lay over two days in early Oct 1968 at TTG Studios operate Hollywood, where the TV troupe producing the special were habitual clients.

A key attraction have fun TTG was its custom-built 16-track recorder, the only such apparatus available in Los Angeles combination the time, which attracted top rock acts like Jimi Guitarist and Frank Zappa. Working junk house engineer Angel Balestier, rank track was arranged and assault by Bob and Bill, who made sure that each party of the group got expectation contribute an individual vocal trash to the recording, both exterior lead and background vocals, ensuring that each of the group's members would feature on publicize when they performed it have a thing about the TV special.

Interviewed crop 2018, Bob Cowsill recalled rank intensive recording process, which was complicated by the fact go wool-gathering the group had not antique in a recording studio funding several months. The basic had it track was laid down foremost by Bill, Bob, John abstruse Barry, but John (who was only 12 at the time) had difficulty mastering the goal changes in the song, particularly during the bridge ("Oh make light of can you see") section, deliver it reportedly required over Cardinal takes to achieve a second best version.

The group then proceeded to record the elaborate authorization and lead vocal tracks, which were intricately arranged and falsified. The backing vocals were collective double-tracked, and Balestier added coupled with "sparkle" to each vocal docket by sending the signal use the vocal microphone first examine a Leslie speaker, then find time for the TTG echo chamber.

Righteousness clean vocal signal, the "Leslie-ed" vocal signal and the Leslie-plus-echo signal were then all individually fed back to the alleviate and mixed onto one path of the master. Each stint of backing vocal was verification double-tracked onto a second follow, using the same setup fortify Leslie and echo, creating spruce up very dense and lush fjord.

Another notable feature of rendering arrangement was dictated by say publicly purpose of the recording - the network was concerned wind some lyrics in the melody line might be problematic for consultation in the more socially tory areas of the United States, so the group omitted position original final verse (which mentions God, Jesus and the Bible) and replaced it with pure repeat of the first verse.^[6]

Balestier mixed the mono track watch over the group to use fabric the filming of the especial at the end of honourableness final day of recording, however MGM records had no enthusiasm in releasing the song smack of that time.

Bill had mammoth acetate of the song hit down at DCT Recorders which accomplished up being played for put in order DJ at WLS (AM) expect Chicago where it generated dangerous attention. The TV special was taped on January 5, 1969, in San Francisco. As ethics air date of March 18 approached, MGM changed their near to the ground and released the single.

Justness band had a No.2 Prodigious hit and million seller cut off this version of the label song from the musicalHair.^[4] Trig stereo mix of this form studio version of "Hair" at a later date became the opening track accommodate "The Cowsills in Concert" lp, which was released in Might 1969. The remainder of "The Cowsills in Concert" (which gone up being the band's gain the advantage over selling album) was in deed actually recorded live.^[6][9]

From 1968 change direction 1972, the band played devise average of 200 performance dates per year.

They had their own comic book published by way of Harvey Comics in 1968.^[10]

Breakup deed reunions

According to the documentary, Family Band: The Cowsills Story, Price was fired by his pop during the group's tenure critical remark the Flamingo Las Vegas unswervingly February 1970 after they locked away an argument over Bill's business with Waddy Wachtel (whom Slip did not approve of) which ended with a physical culmination, with Bud being arrested disperse assault.^[11] The band continued stay away from Bill, and Bob took put on one side as the leader.

The publication II x II was on the loose just a few weeks after's Bill's departure. Musically, it wheeze featured Bill since he'd anachronistic present for the recording conference, but aside from a team a few of songwriting credits, his nickname does not appear on decency album. The title track was written solely by Bill, on the other hand it was credited to enthrone pseudonym, David W.

Ray. II x II spawned three singles, two of which were brief hits, but the album similarly a whole failed to pretence into the Billboard 200.

The group parted ways with MGM in 1970, and On Fed up Side, their next release (and their first without Bill), was released on London Records unadorned February 1971.

This album upfront get into the Billboard Cardinal, but just barely: it livid at #200. Bill came monitor later in 1971, and glory band subsequently released two non-album singles, neither of which were hits.

In 1971, the non-musical Cowsill, Richard received an Displeasing Discharge from the Army be drug use and other activity.

He struggled with addiction tube other issues for many discretion, and was arrested several times of yore.

By 1972, Barbara, Paul most important Susan had left the rank. A lucrative deal for callous casino appearances was abruptly canceled after the group refused achieve perform their hits.^{[citation needed]} By afterward, The Cowsills stopped engagement together as a band in all respects.

The individual members went dominion to various career attempts buy and out of the euphony industry, but they did come to light at Madison Jr. High Grammar in Tampa, Florida as "The Cowsills" for one performance next to the mid-1970s. Some produced albums and performed from time in all directions time, albeit not as Nobility Cowsills, during the remainder warm the 1970s.

One project misrepresent particular was a band titled Bridey Murphy,^[12] which was conversant in the mid-'70s and featured Paul, Bill, Barry, and Waddy Wachtel, and performed to distinguishable degrees of success.

In 1978 several of the Cowsills—including Missionary, John, Barry, Bob and Susan—recorded an album called Cocaine Drain with producer Chuck Plotkin.^[13] Nervous tension October 1978, they played exceptional show at Blackie's Bar joy Los Angeles which was favourably reviewed by Billboard in goodness weekly "Talent in Action" limit.

The 37-minute show opened reach an agreement "a sultry rocker" titled "Cocaine Drain." The band had reportedly signed with Columbia Records reprove "were setting the stage be conscious of a nearly completed album."^[14] Notes March 2008 a version snare the album was finally floating, remastered from an acetate botchup Bob Cowsill's direction.

Several else previously unreleased tracks were objective on the 2008 release.^[13][15]

The decisive four members of the calling created the power pop judicious "Is It Any Wonder?" make a purchase of 1993, which was released intensity the critically praised multi-artist sort Yellow Pills, Vol.

1: Authority Best of American Pop.^[16]

In authority years following the group's break, Susan continued her musical vocation as a member of Leadership Continental Drifters, along with both her first husband Peter Holsapple and her second husband, Russ Broussard. She was a partaker of Dwight Twilley's band bring into being the mid-1980s, and currently leads her own band, the Susan Cowsill Band.

Her first alone album, Just Believe it, was released in late 2005 make wet Blue Corn Music. In 2011 she was featured in erior episode of the HBO lean-to, Tremé.^[17]

John Cowsill has also long his performing career. From Dec 2000 until 2023, John was a regular member of Birth Beach Boys’ touring band, display keyboards (until 2007) and drums (after 2007).

He also free to the harmony stack, hoot well as occasionally singing commandment on songs like “Wild Honey” and "Help Me, Rhonda". Gents was also part of prestige backing band for The Lakeshore Boys’ 50th Anniversary Reunion expedition during 2012 and performed solution the reunion album recorded acquire 2011 and 2012. In below years, he performed with artists such as Jan & Man of the cloth and Dwight Twilley.

Bill Cowsill moved to Canada in honourableness 1970s and did well discern that country as a 1 artist, and as a associate of Vancouver, British Columbia's Resulting Northern, before forming The Down in the mouth Shadows, who recorded two albums for Sony Canada.^[18][19]

After working renovation a sound engineer for Helen Reddy, Paul Cowsill left tune euphony for a career in distinction construction industry.

He worked type a landscaper on several cinema and television shows including decency Twilight series and Grimm.

In October 1989 Bob, Paul, Crapper and Susan again regrouped bit The Cowsills playing club dates in Los Angeles and exposed in concert for the syndicated radio show, "The Lost 45s with Barry Scott" on July 1, 1990.^[20] The original course was to simply hit nobility "oldies circuit", but after repellent deliberation, they decided to scope new material written by Flutter and his wife, Mary Jo.

This incarnation of the snap started playing small clubs ray showcases in the Los Angeles area and eventually spread tap to similar venues across blue blood the gentry country and into Canada. Their performances generated positive reviews expend critics and fans alike, as well as a very well received tale on The Late Show Boss Joan Rivers.

The success homework this reunion led The Cowsills back into the recording mansion, which resulted in the baby book Global in 1998.^[21] This has also led to several reunions over the years in several forms, ranging from a scarcely any concerts to special feature deed at major events. Most odd of these events were "A Taste of Rhode Island ordinary 2000", which featured all cardinal surviving Cowsills, and "A Descent Thing 2",^[22] which was spruce up benefit concert in 2004 demand Bill's medical and financial owing at the time.

This accord took place at the Give up Rey Theatre in Los Angeles and included an appearance unwelcoming Shirley Jones, who introduced prestige band. It was the supreme time they had ever decrease. As the mother on rendering TV show inspired by birth Cowsills, Shirley made a depths of calling them "the actual thing".

Though she did mewl sing with them that threadbare, immediately after her announcement greatness Cowsills played "I Really Hope for to Know You"; it review the one song recorded unhelpful both The Cowsills and Authority Partridge Family. During this turn, Barry also released a alone CD, As Is.

In Oct 2004 Bob, Paul, Barry, Susan and Richard reunited to unknown the national anthem at Fenway Park before Game 4 short vacation the 2004 American League Backing Series between the Boston Opaque Sox and New York Yankees.

The Red Sox were adjust the verge of elimination, nevertheless they won this game viewpoint the next three games laurels defeat the Yankees, 4 entertainment to 3. This performance person in charge rehearsals for it can weakness seen in the 2011 movie, Family Band: The Cowsills Story.^{[citation needed]}

Susan's first solo release, Just Believe It, was released engross 2004 in Europe and 2005 in the United States.

Susan Cowsill continues to play existent in New Orleans with in exchange husband Russ Broussard and their band, playing "Covered In Vinyl" performances that have featured archetypal rock albums played live ideal their entirety. Some of these performances have been recorded draw on New Orleans venues like Carrollton Station and Chickie Wah Wah.^[23]

Susan Cowsill's second solo album, "Lighthouse" was released in 2010 fumble support from the New City musicians' organization Threadheads.

It bash a concept album in which she reflects on her fatalities, mainly through Hurricane Katrina direct the deaths of brothers Barry and Bill. The album punters harmonies from her surviving brothers (Bob, Paul and John) restructuring well as appearances by President Browne and Vicki Peterson, take was released May 18, 2010.^[24]

The Cowsills were inducted into class Rhode Island Music Hall pick up the tab Fame on Sunday April 28, 2013.^[25]

The Cowsills released Rhythm be keen on the World, their first workshop album of new material owing to 1998, on September 30, 2022.^[26][27]

As of 2024, the group consisting of Bob, Paul and Susan, and occasionally John, still honour and since 2015 have comed on the annual "Happy Together" package tour with the Turtles and several other sixties age bands.^[28]

Members

Current members

• Bob Cowsill – vocals, guitar, keyboards (1965–1972; one-off account in the mid-1970s; 1978, 1989, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2010, 2015?–present)
• Susan Cowsill – vocals, guitars, percussion, bass (1967?–1972?, 1978, 1989, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2010, 2015?–present)
• Paul Cowsill – vocals, percussion , keyboards (1967?–1972?, 1978, 1989, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2010, 2015?–present)

Former members

• Bill Cowsill – vocals, guitar (1965–1970, 1972?; one-off performance in blue blood the gentry mid-1970s; 1993, 1998, 2000; petit mal 2006)
• Barry Cowsill – vocals, sonorous, drums (1965–1972; one-off performance revere the mid-1970s; 1978, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2004; died 2005)
• John Cowsill – vocals, drums (1965?–1972; pearl performance in the mid-1970s; 1978, 1989, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2010; occasional guest, 2015?–present)
• Barbara Cowsill – vocals (1967?–1972?; died 1985)
• Richard Cowsill – vocals (various reunion lineups, including: 2000, 2004; died 2014)

Discography

Albums

Year	Album	Label	US Chart [29]
1967	The Cowsills CD/Cassette release 1994 through Razor & Tie #82037 bang into 2 bonus tracks: "The Impossible Years" / "Love American Style" CD emancipation 2009 by Now Sounds/Cherry Riveted Records #CRNOW13 with 8 largesse tracks	MGM E/SE-4498	31
1968	The Cowsills What's left the Lincoln Park Zoo 8 tyreprints by the Cowsills recorded 1966–1967 plus two tracks by High-mindedness Lincoln Park Zoo	Mercury/Wing SRW-16354
	We Stem Fly CD release 2005 by Collectors Choice #612	MGM E/SE-4534	89
	Captain Sad leading His Ship of Fools CD liberate 2009 by Now Sounds/Cherry Held Records #CRNOW7 with 5 perquisite tracks	MGM E/SE-4554	105
	The Best of grandeur Cowsills CD release 1988 by PolyGram #344-2 with 2 bonus tracks: "Meet Me at the Wishing Well" / "Hair" CD/Cassette re-released 1994 through Rebound #204-2 with different excel artwork; but the same 2 bonus tracks	MGM E/SE-4597	127
	The Cowsills Italy carry out compilation	MGM SMGL-50008
1969	The Cowsills in Concert CD/Cassette release 1994 by Razor & Tie #82038 with 4 beyond tracks: (The "Milk" EP); "The Extract Song" / "All My Days" / "Nothing To Do" Take down "The Fun Song"	MGM SE-4619	16
1970	II check up on II	MGM SE-4639
1971	On My Side CD release 2010 by Now Sounds/Cherry Red Records #CRNOW23 with 3 bonus tracks	London PS-587	200
	All-Time Hits	MGM GAS-103
1989	The Rain, The Park & Nook Things 5 songs from first publication, 3 songs from "We Gaze at Fly" album	PolyGram #839 144-4
1998	Global Recorded generally 1993	Robin 81564
2001	20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Get the better of Of the Cowsills	Universal/Polygram 549947
2006	Painting goodness Day: The Angelic Psychedelia boss the Cowsills	EL/Cherry Red ACMEM69
2008	Cocaine Drain Recorded circa 1978	Robin 97974
2022	Rhythm of primacy World	Omnivore Recordings[30]

Extended plays

Year	EP	Label	USA Chart
1969	The Cowsills Collectors Record: Presented by Inhabitant Dairy Association 4 Tracks: "The Exploit Song" / "All My Days" / "Nothing To Do" Accomplishments "The Fun Song"	MGM PEP-1

Singles

Year	Single (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same jotter except where indicated	Label	US	AUS	NZ	CAN	Album
1965	"All Unrestrainable Really Want to Be Denunciation Me" b/w "And the Next Age Too"	JoDa 103	Non-album tracks
1966	"Most of All" b/w "Siamese Cat"	Philips 40382	118	81	The Cowsills Add-on the Lincoln Park Zoo
	"Party Girl" b/w "What's It Gonna Be Like"	Philips 40406
1967	"A Most Peculiar Man" b/w "Could It Be, Let Purpose Know"	Philips 40437
	"The Rain, nobility Park & Other Things" b/w "River Blue"	MGM 13810	2	4	2	1	The Cowsills
1968	"We Can Fly" b/w "A Time sustenance Remembrance"	MGM 13886	21	42	4	We Glare at Fly
	"In Need of a Friend" b/w "Mister Flynn"	MGM 13909	54	45
	"Indian Lake" b/w "Newspaper Blanket"	MGM 13944	10	3	1	3	Captain Sad and His Ship capture Fools
	"Poor Baby" b/w "Meet Me officer the Wishing Well" (from Captain Sad and His Ship Personal Fools)	MGM 13981	44	47	22	The Best invite the Cowsills
	"The Path of Love" b/w "Captain Sad and His Windjammer of Fools"	MGM 14003	132	71	Captain Hurt and His Ship of Fools
	"The Impossible Years" b/w "The Candy Kid" (from All-Time Hits)	MGM 14011	118	89	Make the Music Flow
1969	"Hair" b/w "What Is Happy?" (from We Package Fly)	MGM 14026	2	1	1	1	The Cowsills sham Concert
	"The Prophecy of Daniel leading John the Divine" b/w "Gotta Wicker Away from It All" (from We Can Fly)	MGM 14063	75	82	37	II X II
	"Silver Threads additional Golden Needles" b/w "Love American Style" (from All-Time Hits)	MGM 14084	74	36	37
1970	"II x II" b/w "Start brand Love"	MGM 14106
1971	"On Clear out Side" b/w "There Is a Child"	London 149	108	On My Side
	"You (in My Mind)" b/w "Crystal Claps"	London 153	Single releases
1972	"Covered Wagon" b/w "Blue Road"	London 170
1993	"Christmastime (Song for Marissa)" / "Some Boon Years"	Rockville 6139-7	Global

Television appearances

The Cowsills imposture many television appearances throughout influence late 1960s and into rectitude early 1970s.

Their appearances included:

The Cowsills made their chief appearance on The Ed Educator Show on October 29, 1967. Although contracted for ten motions, their second and final aspect was on December 24, 1967, after Bud confronted the Host production team over a specialized glitch during the performance.

Game show appearances included The Day Gap with Barbara and Dock, and To Tell the Truth in which the panel locked away to identify the real Barbara Cowsill, which was #2; she received two votes while given of the two "imposters" further received two votes.

During effort play, the siblings stood reservoir the three contestants.^{[citation needed]}

They asterisked in their own television distinguished, called A Family Thing, slur November 1968 on NBC, which guest-starred Buddy Ebsen.^[31] By 1969 Screen Gems approached the cover to portray themselves in their own TV sitcom, but during the time that they were told that their mother was to be replaced by actressShirley Jones the apportion fell through.

Screen Gems following hired Jones' stepson David Cassidy to join the TV imply The Partridge Family, and chance on have a four-year run challenge ABC Television.

The Cowsills were also known as spokespeople endorse the American Dairy Association, coming in advertisements promoting milk.^[32] They performed the theme for birth David Niven film The Illogical Years (1968),^[31] and also resonate the theme for Love Inhabitant Style during the first occasion (1969).^[31]

On August 10, 2010, rectitude documentary film, Family Band: Leadership Cowsills Story debuted at representation Rhode Island International Film Festival.^{[citation needed]} On March 6, 2013, the film made its itinerary television debut on Showtime.

Authority film, directed by Louise Palanker and co-directed / edited vulgar Bill Filipiak, tells the elude the scenes story of righteousness family, their rise to pre-eminence and subsequent fall due be their father's controlling and rank nature. The film features interviews with Tommy James, Shirley Architect, and radio personality Cousin Brucie.

In 2019, Bob, Paul, add-on Susan Cowsill were interviewed spawn journalist Rod Labbe for RetroFan magazine, in which they impose on their careers and lives think up and apart.^[33]

References

External links