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When national popularity of the singing Cowsills dwindled in 1970, it became futile to try to pay off their mountain of debts, father-manager William J. Cowsill said.
Cowsill was business manager of the group consisting of his wife daughter and five sons. While the family grossed "I think over $600,000" in 1969, it was a riches to rags story a year later, he said in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Papers filed June 27 showed Cowsill owed $445,339.01 to hotels, recording studios, credit card companies, attorneys, agents, airlines, banks and other firms. He listed his assets as $4,873, most of it personal property.
Bankruptcy referee Arthur Votolate asked Cowsill how much pocket money he had as of June 27. Cowsill, now a merchant seaman, said it was about $50 but hard to calculate because it was in Egyptian pounds.
He said he has no real estate or bank accunts and believes the group's musical instruments were either pawned by one son, given away or sold. The group folded in 1970. The family's property was repossessed by banks or former owners about three years ago.
Their hit records, sparking a string of television appearances included "Indian Lake" and "The Rain, the Park and Other Things."
Cowsill's wife, Barbara, now lives in Warwick. One son is in medical school, two live in Narragansett, and occasionally perform in local bars. Another son, John, and daughter, Susan, are living in California, he said.
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