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The Ridgefield Playhouse and Pepsi Rock Series Powered by Xfinity bring the ‘60s pop band The Cowsills to the stage on Sunday, January 31 at 8 p.m. Best known for songs ”The Rain, The Park and Other Things,” “Hair,” “Indian Lake” and “Love American Style” - the Cowsill's soaring harmonies reached the top of the charts in the late 1960s.
Comprised of a family of musically gifted children and their talented mom, the group was an entertainment phenomenon, appearing on the top variety series of the day including The Ed Sullivan Show, Johnny Carson and The Dean Martin Show and influencing a generation of musicians and artists. They were approached to do a TV series but the producers had already signed an actress to play the mother on the series so it was a no go for The Cowsills. What was the series? It was The Partridge Family! The Cowsills were also spokespersons for the American Dairy Association and appeared in commercials and print ads for milk. The Cowsills disbanded in the early 1970s but most of them have never really left the music business and various members have regrouped through the years. Before the show, visit Bailey’s Backyard (23 Bailey Avenue, Ridgefield) for dinner and receive 10% off when you show your ticket. Media sponsor is The B 107.3fm.
Both Barry and Susan had their lives turned upside down by Hurricane Katrina, which hit the gulf coast in August 2005, since both were residents of the New Orleans area at the time. Susan and her family lost their home and most of their belongings but they were all safe during the hurricane and it’s aftermath and returned to live in New Orleans in January 2006. Barry, unfortunately, did not get out of New Orleans before Katrina hit and was among the missing of Hurricane Katrina for 4 months. Then, sadly, on January 4th, 2006, The Cowsill family got the news that Barry’s body had been found and identified. Barry Cowsill is no longer with us. At the memorial service for Barry, the Cowsill family was informed that Billy had passed away following his battles with hip replacement surgery, back surgery, emphysema, osteoporosis and other problems. Today, the surviving Cowsills continue to make music – sometimes individually and sometimes together – and their harmonies are still as infectious and bright as ever.
For tickets ($45), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.
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