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The Cowsills – a seven-member family rock group who have firmly implanted themselves in the hearts of people everywhere – will join Eddy Arnold for his show in Evansville on November 15 at Roberts Stadium.
Show officials report that the response has been good, but that there still are many good seats left. Tickets can be purchased at Ayrway North, 4000 First Avenue, Ayrway in Lawndale Shopping Center or by mail to the Eddy Arnold Show, Box 441, Evansville.
Prices are $6.50 and $5.50 for reserved seats and $4.50 for general admission. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show also will be on sale November 14, beginning at noon at the stadium’s gate one.
The Cowsills – from Mother Barbara to the nine-year-old “baby” of the family, Susie – have taken the country by storm since their first recording of “The Rain, The Park and Other Things,” and the one that followed, “We Can Fly.”
The Cowsill sons are Bill, Bob, Barry, Paul and john, who are joined by Barbara and Susie. They’re a good, tight smooth-moving act with each doing his part and each having a chance to show individual talent.
Off-stage, but still an integral part of the Cowsill team are Father Bud, who is general manager and “sound man,” and brother Dick, who is road manager and lightening technician.
The Cowsills’ claim to fame got off to a slow start after Bud retired from the Navy and undertook the job of organizing and planning a small tour to promote the talents of a group composed of the sons only.
During the Navy years, Bud brought different musical instruments from almost every part of the world home. The boys took to the instruments like naturals and as a group would play at local teen clubs, church benefits and parties.
Barbara who used to sing around the house all the time, would sing with the boys in her spare time. Although her talents for the most part were confined to the family living room, she did venture out occasionally to participate in a Sunday folk act for the local church clubs or sang one or two numbers when the boys played on Saturday nights at a local teen club.
It was much the same for the next two years. Bud signed the boys with Mercury Records and they cut a disc called “Most of All.” The record caused quite a ripple and for the first time brought the Cowsills to light – but not enough to suit Bud.
A small promotional campaign wasn’t highly successful, but Bud appealed to Lenny Stogel, a New York talent manager who had been studying the Cowsills’ progress for the past two years. On a handshake and a lot of faith, Lenny got to work.
Their first recording, “The Rain, The Park and Other Things,” led to a promotional tour sponsored by MGM, which was followed by an equally popular song, “We Can Fly.”
Ed Sullivan signed the Cowsills for 10 guest shots and interplanetary Licensing and Merchandising, Inc., signed them to market dolls, bubble gum, toiletries, clothes and other items.
Barbara by this time had joined the Cowsills as a full-fledged member and recorded their first MGM album with them entitled, “The Cowsills.” In February of this year, they took their first trip to Europe for promotion and press receptions and recorded their second album, “We Can Fly,” after they returned.
Eight-year-old Susan joined the group in September 1967, (she turned nine this May) during a promotion tour and belted out such numbers as “Sweet Talkin’ Guy,” “Hello, Hello,” and “To Sir With Love,” with warmth, sincerity and appeal.
Bill and Bob Cowsill are also two fo the most talented, promising songwriters in the business, and they wrote half the songs on their first album and almost all the songs on their second album.
The tow also produced their second album for MGM, “We Can Fly,” as well as their third single, “In Need of a Friend.”
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