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The nationally-famous Cowsills will be spotlighted at the first annual San Antonio Light Interational Auto Show, set for March 3 through 8 at the San Antonio Convention Center's sprawling 100,000 square-foot Exhibition Hall.
The Cowsills - seven youngsters and mother and father - will put on three stage performances on each weekday evening and four each on Saturday and Sunday.
The Cowsills - Bob, Paul, John, Barry, and Susan, and parents Barbara and Bud - went from fraternity gigs and obscurity to become one of the most sought-after pop groups in the nation.
The mere fact that a family act could make a dent in the world of hard rock provided a lot of impetus.
First Million
Their first million-selling album came in June, 1967, and contained the seed of national recognition and fame.
The Cowsills are described as the survival of a family group against the established image of what pop groups such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. The Cowsills held their own.
Bob started on guitar at the age of seven and was joined by brother Bill, becoming a duo. Barry reached seven and reached for the bongo drums, making the group a trio. Then John took up the drums and Barry switched to bass guitar, and a quartet was formed.
TV Credits
Barbara joined her youngsters for the album which launched the Cowsills' fame, and Paul became keyboard man on the Cowsills' second million-selling record, "Hair."
Susan convinced her brothers to accept her as one of "the boys" for the "We Can Fly" album, which was still another hit.
Television credits ranged from a Timex special about the Cowsills, called "A Family Thing," through the Ed Sullivan Show, Hollywood Palace, Johnny Cash, Johnny Carson, Operation Entertainment, Kraft Music Hall, and many other national programs.
The elder Cowsill is a veteran of 20 years in the Navy, and after each cruise would bring his children a different musical instrument from a foreign country.
He had no idea what it would lead to. He is manager for the family group now.
From a run-down 22-room mansion in Newport, R.I. to national fame, the Cowsills have come a long way, and will be in San Antonio for the huge San Antonio Light Internation Auto Show.
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