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"How do you break into show business?" This question is asked a million times a year of the people who have already made it. The truth is that there is no formula, no set rule to go by.
Some entertainers are discovered driving trucks, some just happen to be on the movie set the day the leading man breaks his leg, and of course some know people in high places.
The Cowsills began their career at home as a family amusement and nothing more.
Father Bud Cowsill was away from home most of the time with the Navy, finally retiring after his 20-year hitch.
Mother Barbara had her hands full with seven children to raise in an old 22-room house in the suburbs of Newport, R.I. But everyone pitched in and helped.
The Cowsill family has always been a happy and "together" family, all sharing responsibilities and all joining in when it was time for fun and games. As a matter of fact, that was how the legend of the Cowsills began.
Bob and Bill started the musical ball rolling by taking up guitar at an early age, later performing as a duo at home and at hometown functions.
Barry soon joined them on drums, later switching to bass guitar when John became their new drummer.
It wasn't long before the quartet was playing at high school functions, then later at college dances and local night spots around Newport.
It was obvious the boys had talent and the local folks were taking advantage of that talent while they could. This all began about six years ago.
In 1967 the boys decided they needed a female voice in the group and immediately turned to their mother.
"At first I thought it a foolish idea. My singing had been mostly over the kitchen sink. The idea of facing an audience frightened me," she said.
"Then I gave it a second thought and decided that I wanted to be a part of the boys' group. I had struggled for years raising them, and quite frankly, I didn't want to be left behind."
"We wanted Mom with us," remembers Bob, "but I must say the first time the five of appeared together I felt a little silly.
"Here we were, the brothers four, knocking out rock with our mother! The feeling didn't last long though, and today we couldn't do without her."
Barbara actually joined the Cowsills because they were cutting a record and felt a need for a female voice, and they couldn't have been more right.
A friend took the disc to a record firm and the Cowsills were put immediately under contract.
Young Susan Cowsill joined then came Paul Cowsill, who up to this time had been working behind the scenes. He joined the group on bass guitar and keyboard.
Bill recently left the group to produce records and to continue his career as a single act.
The Cowsills continue to grow in popularity. In addition to their triumphs in the record business, they have for some time been appearing on national tv variety and talk shows.
Probably the most amazing single characteristic of the Cowsills is their togetherness. A visit to their new home in Santa Monica, Calif. is like spending a day with any average American family.
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