Miscellaneous Memorabilia - 1968 Michigan State Fair Program





Cowsills

The Cowsills are nine in number and a very real family that love, quarrels, laughs and cries passionately. And sings up a storm

The Cowsill story goes back to the time when Bud Cowsill, a young man of 17 met and fell in love with sweet young Barbara Russell, 14. That was in 1946, and two years later William Joseph Cowsill Jr. made his debut, and The Cowsill family was a threesome.

A number of other came along – Robert Paul, Richard James, Barry Steven, John Patrick, Paul Mitchell – and finally, in 1959, a girl – Susan Claire.

Bud was in the navy for 20 years, and the family moved about a good bit, but the kids didn’t mind. They made friends easily. Bud did a lot of other traveling, too (“join the Navy and see the world”). Whenever he returned home he had a musical instrument with him for the youngsters.

Bill and Bob learned the guitar and Barry the drums. They made a swinging trio and played teen clubs, church benefits, parties. Then John joined as a drummer, with Barry switching to bass guitar. Mother Barbara came along as a singer on occasion.

Bud signed the boys with Mercury Records and they cut “Most of All,” which caused a stir, but didn’t get the group any place.

Finally on a handshake and a lot of faith, the family hooked up with Lenny Stogel, New York talent manager. “The Rain, The Park and Other Things” was followed by a tour for their new record company, MGM. The first hit record was followed by a second called, “We Can Fly.”

Ed Sullivan signed the Cowsills for 10 guest shots, MGM started talking movies, producers started talking TV, and agents started talking merchandising.

Barbara was a full-fledged member of the group by this time, even though she still had her normal family responsibilities – housework and mothering.

Susan came along in 1967 as a singing member of the group – and a might cute one at that. Paul also joined with his trumpet and good, strong voice. He is billed as the “soul brother.”

So seven Cowsills are in the act. Dick, meanwhile, is road manager and lighting technician. And Bud w, who started it all, is general manager and the “sound man.”

Besides performing, Bill and Bob Cowsill are talented songwriters, writing half the number on their first album and almost all on the second.

The latest Cowsill hit is “Indian Lake.” But it won’t be the last you can bet. This talented an energetic family is headed for even bigger stardom, proving that you can be happy and love what you’re doing and make a tremendous success of it.




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