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Barbara Cowsill, the striking focal point of the ‘60s family band The Cowsills died Thursday of complications arising from emphysema at her home in Tempe, Ariz.
Via million-selling hits like 1967’s The Rain, The Park and Other Things, Indian Lake and the theme from Hair, The Cowsills became North America’s top family band, serving as the inspiration for The Partridge Family television program. The group played Edmonton at the peak of its popularity in 1969.
The ‘70s were less kind to the musical family, a period when both Barbara and husband-manager William were forced to declare bankruptcy after the salad days of the late ‘60s.
In recent years before her illness, Barbara Cowsill had resumed a nursing career, while her husband returned to his naval background as a member of the merchant marine.
The six Cowsill children went on to various musical and non-musical careers. Billy Cowsill, the musical leader of the band, moved to Vancouver in the mid-70s and served tenures in groups like Blue Northern, Billy Mitchell’s Trainwreck and his current endeavor, Billy Cowsill and the Heartbeats. He is currently in the process of recording a debut album in Calgary and continues to be a top nightclub draw throughout Western Canada.
In a 1977 interview, Barbara characteristically expressed no bitterness about her show-business career.
“It was just poor business management which happens to the best of us. You just have to pick yourself up by the bootstraps. It was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed it thoroughly.”
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