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9. THE COWSILLS
The Rain, The Park and Other Things
Under the tutelage of their father, former Navy officer “Bud” Cowsill, Rhode Islanders Bill, Bob, Dick, Paul, Barry and John – with their mother Barbara – became a professional singing group (the youngest, Suzy, joined shortly after their first hit). Bud Cowsill went into debt preparing the group for expected stardom, and just before they lost their house the group was signed to MGM. Artie Kornfeld who co-wrote and produced “The Rain, The Park and Other Things” as their debut; the flower-child sentiment and stylistically impressive sound help make the song a million-seller. It is here in its sonically superior mono version, as mixed by Brooks Arthur. The Cowsills were dubbed “America’s First Family of Music” and went on to enjoy more chart hits (featured on The Best Of The Cowsills, Polydor 833 344-2, including “The Rain, The Park and Other Things” in stereo). They were also the basis – but not the stars – of Wes Farrel’s television creation “The Partridge Family”
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