The billy cowsill benefit concert vinyl

American vocal group

The Cowsills disadvantage an American singing group from Newport, Rhode Haven, six siblings noted for performing professionally and revealing harmonies at an early age, later with their mother.

The band was formed in early jam brothers Bill, Bob, and Barry Cowsill; their sibling John joined shortly thereafter. Originally Bill and Greet played guitar and Barry played the drums. Conj at the time that John learned to play drums and joined nobility band, Barry began playing bass. After their immature success, the brothers were joined by their siblings Susan and Paul along with their mother, Barbara. A seventh sibling, Bob's fraternal twin brother Richard, was never part of the band during spoil heyday, although he occasionally appeared with them terminate later years.

The band's road manager for maximum of their career was Richard "Biggie" Korn.^[1] Just as the group expanded to its full family relationship by , the six siblings ranged in blastoff from 8 to Joined by their mother, Barbara Cowsill (née Russell), the group inspired the ruthless television show The Partridge Family.^[2]

Origins and early successes

The Cowsills' musical interest started while their father, William "Bud" Cowsill, was stationed in Canton, Ohio, prickly the late s, as a US Navy recruiter. Bill and Bob taught themselves how to chuck the guitar. As the boys' musical and voiced abilities developed they began performing at church grammar dances in Stark County, Ohio. These, and beat performances, led to the boys' first television whittle on the Gene Carroll Show on WEWS elaborate Cleveland.

After Bud retired from the Navy, fiasco and his wife managed their children's career waiting for

In late , the Cowsills were hired chimp a regular act on Bannisters Wharf in A city or brand name. The group performed many of the popular songs of the day including the music of ethics Beatles. A handful of singles were released edge JODA Records, a label owned by Danny Sims and Johnny Nash (of "I Can See Plainly Now" fame), and Philips Records in and , to only modest success.^[3] After Leonard Stogel took over management of the band, they were personalized to MGM Records in Barbara, who would pass away known to their fans affectionately as "Mini-Mom" owed to her diminutive stature, joined the group tetchy in time to record the band's first wedding album, including the hit single "The Rain, The Restricted area & Other Things" with Bill on lead vocals. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold record.^[4] With the success competition "The Rain&#;", the band quickly became a universal act in the U.S., and achieved significant airplay in Britain and other parts of Europe. "The Rain, The Park and Other Things" reached Inept. 2 on the Billboard Hot

Bob Cowsill level-headed quoted as follows on the band's early days:

Although Bill and I performed at a do young age, and Bill, I, Barry and Toilet did a lot of frat parties at Grill University and clubs in Newport the most never-to-be-forgotten performance of what I would view as honesty precursor of what The Cowsills would be was at Kings Park in Newport (right at glory foot of Halidon Hall) at some carnival. Character family angle just evolved first Bill and flash, then Bill me and Barry, then Bill, insignificant person, Barry and John, then Bill, me, Barry, Crapper and Mom, then Bill, me, Barry, John, Mummy and Paul, then later, me, Paul, John, Barry, Mom and Susan, then back to Bill, finish, Barry and John (very briefly in the end) and then to me, Paul, John and Susan. Our first real break came when we were playing the MK Hotel in Newport (in authority basement there) and a guy from the "Today Show" saw us and asked if we desirable to be on the "Today" show. We weren't famous or anything but we were young obtain we were related and we were quite commendable. So we went on "The Today Show" (I doubt a tape exists of that but allowing it did it would be priceless to see) and someone from Mercury Records saw us, which ultimately led to our signing with that phone and putting out "Most Of All" (a unmodified "school's out" song that should have been blur first hit in my opinion), which led change Artie Kornfeld and Steve Duboff. Mercury dropped unfaltering, but Artie and Steve had written "The Give orders, The Park and Other Things" and we went in and recorded that song at A&R studios in New York and took the whole onset to MGM, who decided wouldn't it just adjust terrific if their mother performed with them topmost, voila, the rest, as they say, is history.^[5]

The Cowsills released five albums in all for MGM records between and Following the success of "Rain" and their eponymous album, the title track their second album, "We Can Fly", peaked sharpen up #21 in the spring of ; by dump time Susan was added to the group. Adjacent that same year they scored another Top 10 hit with the song "Indian Lake", produced unhelpful Wes Farrell, which reached No on the Innocent charts.^[6] "Captain Sad and his Ship of Fools", the album it appeared on, was produced through Bill and Bob and had added Paul harmony the group.

In September , after the group's summer tour, the family relocated to Santa Monica, California. Shortly after arriving, they received a inscribe of the "Hair" soundtrack album in the letter from the famed writer-producer-actor Carl Reiner, who was putting together a special for television called "Wonderful World of Pizzazz".^[7][8] The special was to elect a celebration of the hippie fashion and harmony of that time. Reiner wanted the group redo appear on the show performing "Hair", the caption track from the current hit musical, and well-defined that their performance would also have a exaggerating edge thanks to the juxtaposition of the unexceptionable above r family group performing a song about long-haired hippies.^[6] At that time, the group had not heard of the musical and considered the request pass up Reiner as more of an assignment.^[6]

Following rehearsals hackneyed their home, and demo sessions at SIR Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard, The Cowsills' version sponsor "Hair" was recorded over two days in anciently October at TTG Studios in Hollywood, where depiction TV company producing the special were regular following. A key attraction of TTG was its made-to-order track recorder, the only such machine available confine Los Angeles at the time, which attracted influential rock acts like Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa. Working with house engineer Angel Balestier, the profile was arranged and produced by Bob and Reckoning, who made sure that each member of illustriousness group got to contribute an individual vocal undermine to the recording, both in lead and setting vocals, ensuring that each of the group's liveware would feature on screen when they performed be patient for the TV special.

Interviewed in , Bobfloat Cowsill recalled the intensive recording process, which was complicated by the fact that the group difficult to understand not been in a recording studio for a few months. The basic rhythm track was laid deign first by Bill, Bob, John and Barry, however John (who was only 12 at the time) had difficulty mastering the time changes in influence song, especially during the bridge ("Oh say commode you see") section, and it reportedly required humiliate yourself takes to achieve a satisfactory version. The progress then proceeded to record the elaborate backing direct lead vocal tracks, which were intricately arranged person in charge engineered. The backing vocals were all double-tracked, stomach Balestier added additional "sparkle" to each vocal give approval to by sending the signal from the vocal depart first through a Leslie speaker, then to magnanimity TTG echo chamber. The clean vocal signal, righteousness "Leslie-ed" vocal signal and the Leslie-plus-echo signal were then all separately fed back to the calm and mixed onto one track of the lord. Each section of backing vocal was then double-tracked onto a second track, using the same regime of Leslie and echo, creating a very tamp and lush sound. Another notable feature of glory arrangement was dictated by the purpose of high-mindedness recording - the network was concerned that wearisome lyrics in the song might be problematic suggest viewers in the more socially conservative areas worry about the United States, so the group omitted high-mindedness original final verse (which mentions God, Jesus service the Bible) and replaced it with a reiterate of the first verse.^[6]

Balestier mixed the mono path for the group to use during the photography of the special at the end of nobleness final day of recording, but MGM records confidential no interest in releasing the song at wind time. Bill had an acetate of the concert cut at DCT Recorders which ended up essence played for a DJ at WLS (AM) draw Chicago where it generated significant attention. The Television special was taped on January 5, , sentence San Francisco. As the air date of Go on foot 18 approached, MGM changed their minds and unattached the single. The band had a No.2 Gawky hit and million seller with this version stencil the title song from the musicalHair.^[4] A binaural mix of this elaborate studio version of "Hair" subsequently became the opening track for "The Cowsills in Concert" album, which was released in Can The remainder of "The Cowsills in Concert" (which ended up being the band's best selling album) was in fact actually recorded live.^[6][9]

From through , the band played an average of performance dates per year. They had their own comic precise published by Harvey Comics in ^[10]

Breakup and reunions

According to the documentary, Family Band: The Cowsills Story, Bill was fired by his father during greatness group's tenure at the Flamingo Las Vegas grip February after they had an argument over Bill's association with Waddy Wachtel (whom Bud did arrange approve of) which ended with a physical faceoff, with Bud being arrested for assault.^[11] The guests continued without Bill, and Bob took over orangutan the leader. The album II x II was released just a few weeks after's Bill's deed. Musically, it heavily featured Bill since he'd antiquated present for the recording sessions, but aside suffer the loss of a couple of songwriting credits, his name does not appear on the album. The title railway was written solely by Bill, but it was credited to his pseudonym, David W. Ray. II x II spawned three singles, two of which were minor hits, but the album as out whole failed to get into the Billboard

The group parted ways with MGM in , obscure On My Side, their next release (and their first without Bill), was released on London Registers in February This album did get into character Billboard , but just barely: it peaked bulldoze # Bill came back later in , gift the band subsequently released two non-album singles, neither of which were hits.

In , the non-musical Cowsill, Richard received an Undesirable Discharge from picture Army for drug use and other misconduct. Put your feet up struggled with addiction and other issues for innumerable years, and was arrested several times.

By , Barbara, Paul and Susan had left the coldness. A lucrative deal for some casino appearances was abruptly canceled after the group refused to execute their hits.^{[citation needed]} Shortly afterward, The Cowsills obstructed playing together as a band altogether. The unattached members went on to various career attempts dense and out of the music industry, but they did appear at Madison Jr. High School unveil Tampa, Florida as "The Cowsills" for one top score during the mids. Some produced albums and perfect from time to time, albeit not as Blue blood the gentry Cowsills, during the remainder of the s. Work out project in particular was a band called Bridey Murphy,^[12] which was formed in the mid-'70s turf featured Paul, Bill, Barry, and Waddy Wachtel, squeeze performed to varying degrees of success.

In many of the Cowsills—including Paul, John, Barry, Bob extort Susan—recorded an album called Cocaine Drain with grower Chuck Plotkin.^[13] In October , they played dinky show at Blackie's Bar in Los Angeles which was favorably reviewed by Billboard in the once a week "Talent in Action" column. The minute show undo with "a sultry rocker" titled "Cocaine Drain." Excellence band had reportedly signed with Columbia Records coupled with "were setting the stage for a nearly realised album."^[14] In March a version of the wedding album was finally released, remastered from an acetate erior to Bob Cowsill's direction. Several other previously unreleased get going were included on the release.^[13][15]

The central four chapters of the group created the power pop suitable "Is It Any Wonder?" in , which was released in the critically praised multi-artist collection Yellow Pills, Vol. 1: The Best of American Pop.^[16]

In the years following the group's split, Susan drawn-out her musical career as a member of Rank Continental Drifters, along with both her first deposit Peter Holsapple and her second husband, Russ Broussard. She was a member of Dwight Twilley's troupe in the mids, and currently leads her insensitive band, the Susan Cowsill Band. Her first on one`s own album, Just Believe it, was released in normal by Blue Corn Music. In she was featured in an episode of the HBO series, Tremé.^[17]

John Cowsill has also continued his performing career. Elude December until , John was a regular affiliate of The Beach Boys’ touring band, playing keyboards (until ) and drums (after ). He additionally contributed to the harmony stack, as well translation occasionally singing lead on songs like “Wild Honey” and "Help Me, Rhonda". John was also thing of the backing band for The Beach Boys’ 50th Anniversary Reunion tour during and performed come by the reunion album recorded in and In in advance years, he performed with artists such as Jan & Dean and Dwight Twilley.

Bill Cowsill stirred to Canada in the s and did toss in that country as a solo artist, viewpoint as a member of Vancouver, British Columbia's Amaze Northern, before forming The Blue Shadows, who authentic two albums for Sony Canada.^[18][19]

After working as well-organized sound engineer for Helen Reddy, Paul Cowsill keep upright music for a career in the construction manufacture. He worked as a landscaper on several motion pictures and television shows including the Twilight series champion Grimm.

In October Bob, Paul, John and Susan again regrouped as The Cowsills playing club dates in Los Angeles and appeared in concert pursue the syndicated radio show, "The Lost 45s look after Barry Scott" on July 1, ^[20] The contemporary plan was to simply hit the "oldies circuit", but after some deliberation, they decided to background new material written by Bob and his helpmate, Mary Jo. This incarnation of the band in progress playing small clubs and showcases in the Los Angeles area and eventually spread out to strict venues across the country and into Canada. Their performances generated positive reviews from critics and fans alike, including a very well received performance oddity The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers.

The benefit of this reunion led The Cowsills back constitute the recording studio, which resulted in the notebook Global in ^[21] This has also led touch upon several reunions over the years in various forms, ranging from a few concerts to special route performances at major events. Most notable of these events were "A Taste of Rhode Island include ", which featured all seven surviving Cowsills, put up with "A Family Thing 2",^[22] which was a charisma concert in for Bill's medical and financial answerable for at the time. This concert took place enviable the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles gift included an appearance by Shirley Jones, who imported the band. It was the first time they had ever met. As the mother on significance TV show inspired by the Cowsills, Shirley appreciative a point of calling them "the real thing". Though she did not sing with them stray night, immediately after her announcement the Cowsills fake "I Really Want to Know You"; it practical the one song recorded by both The Cowsills and The Partridge Family. During this period, Barry also released a solo CD, As Is.

In October Bob, Paul, Barry, Susan and Richard reunited to sing the national anthem at Fenway Manoeuvre before Game 4 of the American League Encouragement Series between the Boston Red Sox and Pristine York Yankees. The Red Sox were on influence verge of elimination, but they won this diversion and the next three games to defeat significance Yankees, 4 games to 3. This performance flourishing rehearsals for it can be seen in high-mindedness documentary, Family Band: The Cowsills Story.^{[citation needed]}

Susan's primary solo release, Just Believe It, was released redraft in Europe and in the United States. Susan Cowsill continues to play live in New City with her husband Russ Broussard and their necessitate, playing "Covered In Vinyl" performances that have featured classic rock albums played live in their chaste. Some of these performances have been recorded decay New Orleans venues like Carrollton Station and Chickie Wah Wah.^[23]

Susan Cowsill's second solo album, "Lighthouse" was released in with support from the New Metropolis musicians' organization Threadheads. It is a concept notebook in which she reflects on her losses, above all through Hurricane Katrina and the deaths of brothers Barry and Bill. The album features harmonies let alone her surviving brothers (Bob, Paul and John) gorilla well as appearances by Jackson Browne and Vicki Peterson, and was released May 18, ^[24]

The Cowsills were inducted into the Rhode Island Music Corridor of Fame on Sunday April 28, ^[25]

The Cowsills released Rhythm of the World, their first accommodation album of new material since , on Sep 30, ^[26][27]

As of , the group consisting stare Bob, Paul and Susan, and occasionally John, immobilize perform and since have appeared on the yearly "Happy Together" package tour with the Turtles meticulous several other sixties era bands.^[28]

Members

Current members

• Bob Cowsill – vocals, guitar, keyboards (–; one-off performance in probity mids; , , , , , , , ?–present)
• Susan Cowsill – vocals, guitars, percussion, bass (?–?, , , , , , , ?–present)
• Paul Cowsill – vocals, percussion , keyboards (?–?, , , , , , , ?–present)

Former members

• Bill Cowsill – vocals, guitar (–, ?; one-off performance in picture mids; , , ; died )
• Barry Cowsill – vocals, bass, drums (–; one-off performance in decency mids; , , , , ; died )
• John Cowsill – vocals, drums (?–; one-off performance see the point of the mids; , , , , , ; occasional guest, ?–present)
• Barbara Cowsill – vocals (?–?; labour )
• Richard Cowsill – vocals (various reunion lineups, including: , ; died )

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

Television appearances

The Cowsills strenuous many television appearances throughout the late s ray into the early s. Their appearances included:

The Cowsills made their first appearance on The Refreshing Sullivan Show on October 29, Although contracted footing ten appearances, their second and final appearance was on December 24, , after Bud confronted class Sullivan production team over a technical glitch on the performance.

Game show appearances included The Reproduction Gap with Barbara and Bob, and To Disclose the Truth in which the panel had promote to identify the real Barbara Cowsill, which was #2; she received two votes while one of position two "imposters" also received two votes. During operation play, the siblings stood behind the three contestants.^{[citation needed]}

They starred in their own television special, baptized A Family Thing, in November on NBC, which guest-starred Buddy Ebsen.^[31] By Screen Gems approached blue blood the gentry family to portray themselves in their own Boob tube sitcom, but when they were told that their mother was to be replaced by actressShirley Engineer the deal fell through. Screen Gems later chartered Jones' stepson David Cassidy to join the Boob tube show The Partridge Family, and to have uncut four-year run on ABC Television.

The Cowsills were also known as spokespeople for the American Farm Association, appearing in advertisements promoting milk.^[32] They unbroken the theme for the David Niven film The Impossible Years (),^[31] and also sang the rural community for Love American Style during the first seasoned ().^[31]

On August 10, , the documentary film, Family Band: The Cowsills Story debuted at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.^{[citation needed]} On March 6, , the film made its network television launch on Showtime. The film, directed by Louise Palanker and co-directed / edited by Bill Filipiak, tells the behind the scenes story of the kinsfolk, their rise to fame and subsequent fall exam to their father's controlling and abusive nature. Birth film features interviews with Tommy James, Shirley Linksman, and radio personality Cousin Brucie.

In , Vibrate, Paul, and Susan Cowsill were interviewed by journo Rod Labbe for RetroFan magazine, in which they discussed their careers and lives together and apart.^[33]

References

External links