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For far too long now Las Vegas has been the stronghold of the over-21 crowd, but things are changing in 1970.
Until lately there wasn't much an under-21-type could do in this desert resort except lie around the many pools during the summer while the adults indulged in adult-type entertainment. Now the powers that be have started booking in more teen oriented entertainment. Perhaps they've realized that many adult-types have teen-type kids.
The Flamingo Hotel in Vegas opened the 70's with our long time faves Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.
They followed them with The CowsUls—and FLIP was there to bring it all to you.
The main showroom filled quickly amid much shuffling of chairs. They have this thing in Vegas about cramming as many people as possible into a room, so the chairs are all so closed together that it's practically impossible to get in or out gracefully. But it is cozy if you happen to be with someone interesting.
THE SHOW BEGINS
After a brief wait, the orchestra tuned up and began playing softly in the background. Then finally the curtain opened and songstress Kaye Stevens opened the show.
Then the moment came. The first thing heard was Susan's un-mistakeable voice singing "Hello Hello." As the curtain rose she began strolling about the stage in that funny little walk of hers and thoroughly charmed every man in the first row. She had the stage entirely to herself and managed it well.
Think about how you'd feel if you were ten years old and alone in front
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of several hundred people in Las Vegas!
Susan exited to one side of the stage and John emerged from the other singing the great Johnny Cash tune "Ring Of Fire." This was just about the only time the spotlight was on John and he handled it nicely.
And so it went with each member doing a solo number. Bob was next with a beautiful version of "I'm Coming Home," which has special meaning for all of the Cowsills, with their brother Dick still in Vietnam.
Barry followed with a song that's just as current now as it was when Barry McQuire made in famous in the early 60's, "Eve of Destruction." Barry's definitely the soul singer of the group and he carries the lead on many of their songs.
Paul's solo was a lovely version of the old song "Sincerely," and he seemed to mean it.
Barbara, the group's marvelous mother, followed with a few lines from the great song made famous by another Barbara (Streisand), "People," and noted she was glad her people were the kind who needed people. She was off stage at that time, and we only heard her voice.
COWSILLS TOGETHER
Then the curtain opened to reveal the Cowsill kids all together dressed in white suits and red bowties. Their lively "Hair" then shook the rafters and let everyone know for sure that rock and roll had arrived in Las Vegas.
Bob led into the Beatles'"Hey Jude" as the audience sat back and began to sort them all out. Bob and Barry are the leaders on stage. Susan sings all the time, even when she's not in front of a microphone and her dancing is non-stop. She's
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no longer the cute, innocent little child—she's growing up fast. It won't be long 'til she's quite a young lady.
Then suddenly Barry disappeared off stage and Bob began talking. It was obvious he was filling in the time, and the suspense built as we wondered what Barry was up to. What he was up to turned out to be the highlight of the whole evening.
He soon emerged back on stage dressed in red long John underwear, an ornate wide belt and an Uncle Sam hat. If you saw the Rolling Stones on their last tour you knew what he was up to. The group lit into "Honky Tonk Woman" and Barry did the funniest imitation of Mick Jagger ever seen! Strutting and gesturing and throwing the mike around, he really brought the house down. With his hair pulled around his face and messed up and with his lower lip sticking out, he does look surprisingly like he could be Jagger's little brother. They'll be talking about that number for months to come.
SUSAN'S SOLO
"There's only one person on this stage that could follow that," Bob explained as he introduced Susan and her adorable rendition of "When I'm 64." He was right-Susan was the only one who could have held the audience's attention after Barry has destroyed them.
Barbara finally appeared on stage at this point. Dressed in a long flowing gown, she looked elegant and mature, but hardly the mother of seven children. She sang "I Really Want To Know You" slowly and beautifully. It's hard to tell if she's proudest of her family or they of her. It's truly a mutual admiration society filled with a lot of love.
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In case anyone thought they couldn't sing ballads, the group followed with a gorgeous "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" that even Glen Campbell would love.
Every group has to do their own hits, so the Cowsills followed with a medley of their big ones—"The Rain, The Park And Other Things," "Indian Lake," "Silver Threads" and "We Can Fly."
In between several numbers they took the time to introduce themselves by name, and age and explain that they really do have a father, but he handles all the business affairs, and there are two other brothers— Dick in Vietnam and Bill, who's gone into producing other acts.
The finale was their great new songs, "II X II." The rousing gospel feel of the song proved to be just the right ending for a very entertaining evening.
A private party was held afterwards so invited friends could congratulate the group on its successful opening in tough old Las Vegas.
The group's mom and dad, Bud and Barbara, were relaxed and proud as they greeted guests and introduced their offspring.
The kids seemed to be unwinding and Bob finally admitted that they had been pretty scared before the show and were all relieved that the first show was over and had gone so well.
It was a long and emotional evening for the Cowsills, but like everything they do, they did it together and with a sense of fun.
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