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FRANKFURT — The Cowsills, probably the first military family to score smash hits in the entertainment world, have just started their first tour of U.S. military clubs in Europe.
Seemingly as American as hot dogs and Mom's apple pie, the six members of the singing group are dependents of a retired Navy man.
The five offspring who are still active in the group range in age from 11 to 21, and are accompanied by their singing "mini-Mom," Barbara, whom they describe as "an eternal 29."
An interview with these young people turns out to be a refreshing assignment. In their hotel suite, in jeans and moccasins, the youthful entertainers variously munched on bananas and oranges or strum on guitars.
They are a smiling, polite, uncomplicated crew bursting with energy, and look upon this present tour as fun and adventure.
They appear to be unaffected by four years of smash recordings, public and fan magazine adulation and an ability to lure 60,000 people to a single state fair show.
Their unofficial spokesmen seem to be 21-year-old Bob and the vivacious mother. Bob, a twin, is also a newlywed, and has brought his bride along for the trip.
Mrs. Cowsill explained that her husband, Bud, remained in the United States to attend to business matters. He is buying 214 acres of camping ground in his native Rhode Island.
The performing Cowsills now consist of Bob, Mom, Paul, 19, Barry, 16, John, 15, and Susan, 11. The eldest son, Bill, 23, is going it alone as a recording artist. Bob's twin, Dick, recently returned from Vietnam and has just received his discharge from the Army.
During his naval service, their father used to bring presents home to his family whenever he returned from sea duty.
"When I was around 7, Dad brought back guitars from Spain," Bob recalled, "so Bill and I picked them up and started playing."
He said he and his brother played for "local citizen functions" until about 1963, when Barry joined them as drummer.
After John entered, the act, they played military bases and "we put out four or five records as the Cowsills, but these were all bombs:," Bob said.
He continued, "Finally, Mom came into the group and we went on MGM records and had our first hit in 1967 with 'The Rain, the Park and Other Things.' "
Susan joined them for their next album, which included the hit song "We Can Fly." Next, Paul made the scene in time for their big number "Indian Lake."
"Bill left us about two years ago," Bob said, "but not many people know that 'cause there's so many of us no one keeps track, anyway."
Their biggest-selling album was "Hair" in 1969, which sold more than two million copies. "But nothing much, really, to mention after that," Bob said.
Mrs. Cowsill said she has been eager to do armed forces shows "because it's like playing for your peers. After all, I did that bit for 20 years, as a Navy wife."
Three months ago, this enthusiastic blonde became a grandmother with the birth of Bill's son, Travis.
Mom reported that one of the family's greatest thrills was their appearance at Italy's San Remo Music Festival in 1968, representing the United States.
She said show business does not interfere with the younger children's studies and points out that two of them are presently on the honor roll.
The family makes its home in Santa Monica) Calif., where Mrs. Cowsill said they often do individual guest shots on television.
"Susie did a 'Dean Martin Show' and Paul does a 'Room 222' TV spot this fall," she added, "and John and Barry just read for parts in John Wayne's new movie."
Mrs. Cowsill regards their new career as "a lot of fun but something we knew from the beginning would not be a lifetime thing ...so while we're in it we have a ball."
After military shows in Naples, the Cowsills plan a two-day vacation in Rome. After this tour, they will do some East Coast engagements and then, Mom said, "we take a six week rest."
Suddenly, Mrs. Cowsill interrupted the interview as she sensed that one of her brood was missing.
"Where's Barry?"
A voice from the bathroom called out, "Here I am, just trying to put my head together."
She furrowed her brow and inquired, "What's wrong with your head?"
But it was John who answered: "Aw, Mom, he means his hair."
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