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Cowsills Are A Big Part Of Eddy Arnold's Show At Sports Arena
October 11, 1968
The Daily News
Port Clinton, Ohio

When Eddy Arnold brings his show to the Toledo Sports Arena Sunday October 13th at 5:30 p.m, The Cowsills will be features in a big part of the show. The Cowsill family is firmly implanted in the hearts of people everywhere. They came on the scene supported by MGM’s quart of a million promotion campaign.

The Cowsill story goes back to when Bud Cowsill, a young rebellious man met and fell in love with a young, sweet Barbara Russell. She was 14, he was 17. Bud was a Navy man, so he and Barb were often separated. But obviously, their love was the real stuff and four years later they married. That was ’46. Two years later, January 9, 1948, to be exact, William Joseph Cowsill, Jr. made his debut and established the Cowsill family as a threesome.

It didn’t stay that way for long, however, and along came Robert Paul Cowsill on August 26, 1949, lagging behind brother Richard James by three minutes! The twins were joined by Paul Mitchell Cowsill on November 11, 1951. Three years later, Barry Steven was born on September 14, 1954 and then John Patrick on March 2, 1956. Then there were eight.

One thing was missing – a little girl. A little girl to dress up, fuss over and show to neighbors. So, as if in answer to a prayer, little Susan Claire Cowsill came along on May 20, 1959.

In the 20 years that Bud was in the Navy, he traveled to almost every part of the world. Each time he came home he would bring with him a different musical instrument. He didn’t force the children to like them; he didn’t even make them learn to play – he just gave it to them to do what they wanted with it. It wasn’t luring in the back of his mind that one day they would set the world on fire. He just wanted them to have an interest if they wanted it. They did. Bill and Bob learned guitar and Barry learned drums. They all seemed to be naturals. But is sure they inherited their musical ability from Barbara’s side of the family.

Their first big hit was “The Rain, the Park and Other Things,” followed by “We Can Fly.”

Then Ed Sullivan signed the Cowsills for 10 guest shots; MGM started talking movies; big name producers started talking TV series, Interplanetary Licensing and Merchandising Inc., signed the Cowsills for merchandising. They are marketing dolls, bubble gum, toiletries, clothes and other things endorsed by the Cowsills.

The Cowsills other recording include “Captain Sad and his Ship of Fools,” “Indian Lake,” “Newspaper Blanket,” “The Bridge,” “Make the Music Flow,” “Painting the Day” and “The Path of Love.”

The comedy team of Jerry Stiller and Anne Meare will also be with Eddy Arnold. Tickets are now on sale at Kaumans Colony, Sears Great Eastern, the Arena and Area Box Offices.




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