Newspaper Articles





The Cowsills - We're on the trail of America's family
September 22, 1970
Eastern News
Eastern Illinois University





The Cowsills, minus father and mother, paused for an informal family portrait in the Alpha Kappa Lambda house on 9th Street. Having failed to secure prior motel reservatons, the singing family was out in the cold until Ron Best invited them to stay with the AKL's, an invitation which they appreciatively accepted.
photo by Rose Ann Robertson


An ordinary day- it seemed it would just be like the others. We had resigned ourselves to the fact and were prepared to get on with it. When suddenly we were faced with the chance of a lifetime-AN INTERVIEW WITH THE COWSILLS! ! !

It just didn't seem possible that we, two ordinary college coeds, would soon meet the Cowsills in person.

WE HAD heard that the Cowsills were staying at the Alpha Kappa Lambda house and this 􀍓oused our journalistic instincts. What a great feature this would make!

All it took was one call to the AKL house. Thinking we would be refused, we bravely made the fateful call, never realizing what lay ahead.

When told to "come right over," a cry of panic echoed through Pemberton's hallowed halls. Composing ourselves quickly, we rushed to buy some film for our faithful camera, Lassie.

LASSIE loaded and ready to go, we calmly floated to the AKL house. Arriving at the scene, we tripped up the steps and were greeted cordially by a fraternity brother.

Hearts racing, we were graciously shown to the Cowsills temporarly abode.

Our interview began disastrously and continued to worsen. As we were introduced to our hosts, we sat speechless and totally unprepared.

THE CLOCK ticked on and after what seem ed like hours, we posed our first question-"How do you like living in a frat house?" Bob , the leader of the group, answered that they were treated like family.

Moving swiftly backwards, I focused Lassie on the group while Debbie smoothly continued the· interview. Suddenly I heard a crash and realized that I had knocked the chair which hit the table which shook the lamp almost causing it to break. Luckily, "Dad" Cowsill saved the day.

Taking it in our stride, we began talking to Mrs. Cowsill, who had been dubbed honorary "House Mom" for the AKL's. She told us the family tried to lead a normal life even while on tour.

The interview came to an end. Bob returned to his guitar Susie to her football game, Mom to her ironing, and thr rest to cleaning up our mess.

We left, but brought with us the memory of a "real" family. A family that, despite our fumbling, made us feel at home.

Luckily, these two bumbling reporters did not drive the Cowsills from Eastern's campus. Friday night, they had dinner with the members of the Student Activities Board who were as im pressed as we were with the singing family.

ONE SAB member stated our thoughts to a "T": "They're just an ordinary family!".

In conclusion, we'd just like to say, . "THANK-YOU COWSILLS, YOU MADE OUR DAY!





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11/1/2019
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