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When Eddy Arnold brings his show to the Toledo Sports Arena on Sunday, October 13, at 5:30 p.m., The Cowsill’s will be featured in a big part of the show. The Cowsill family is firmly implanted in the hearts of people everywhere. They came on the scene supported by MGM’s quarter of a million promotion campaign
The Cowsill story goes back to when Bud Cowsill, a young rebellious man met and fell in love with Barbara Russell. She was 14, he was 17. Bud was a Navy man, so he and Barb were often separated. But obviously, their love was the real stuff and four years later they were married. That was in ’46. Two years later, William Joseph Cowsill, Jr. made his debut and established the Cowsill family as a threesome.
Robert Paul Cowsill was born on August 26, 1949, lagging behind brother, James, by three minutes! The twins were joined by Paul Mitchell Cowsill on November 11, 1951. Three years later, Barry Steven was born on September 14, 1954, and then John Patrick on March 2, 1956. Then there were eight.
One thing was missing – a little girl to dress up, fuss over and show to neighbors. So, as if in answer to a prayer, little Susan Claire Cowsill came along on May 20, 1959.
In the 20 years that Bud was in the Navy, he traveled to almost every part of the world. Each time he came home he would bring with him a different musical instrument. It wasn’t lurking in the back of his mind that one day they would set the musical world on fire. He just wanted them to have an interest if they wanted it. They did. Bill and Bob learned guitar and Barry learned drums. They all seemed to be naturals. Bud is sure they inherited their musical ability from Barbara’s side of the family.
Their first big hit was “The Rain, The Park and Other Things,” followed by “We Can Fly.”
Then Ed Sullivan signed the Cowsills for 10 guest shots; MGM started talking movies; big name producers started talking TV series. They are marketing dolls, bubble gum, toiletries, clothes and other things endorsed by the Cowsills.
The Cowsills other recordings include “Captain Sad and his Ship of Fools,” “Indian Lake,” “Newspaper Blanket,” “The Bridge,” “Make the Music Flow,” “Painting the Day” and “The Path of Love.”
The comedy team of Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara will also be with Eddy Arnold.
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