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When the Cowsills first sang in the Worcester area at the teeny-bopper nightclub, The Comic Strip, around 1965, it was one of the vocal-instrumental group's first engagements. The pay -$75 - left the gang from Newport, R.I., starry-eyed.
Yesterday the combo (having since added Mom to the group) was back in town as a high-priced show business act - internationally know for its million-selling records, television appearances and worldwide concert tours.
Still the Same - Nice
And you know what? The Cowsills haven't changed. They're still nice people.
Down to earth and refreshingly gabby they were in submitting patiently to their trillionth interview.
It was held at the YWCA before last night's concert. Outside, today's batch of teeny-boppers - mostly young high-school girls - were lined up, and had been all afternoon outside the Salem Square site.
One thing came out of the brief chat: The family that sings together, talks together - and all at the same time.
There was mother, Mrs. Barbara Cowsill (Dad, retired Navy man Bud Cowsill, was elsewhere in the building): Bob, 21, holding hands with his bride, Nanci; Paul, 19 who tied Mom for talking honors; Barry, 16; silent John 14, and sunbright Susan, 11.
"Yes," answered Bob, "I remember playing that benefit here for ALSAC, around 1965 I think. But we were here before that! Yes, one of our first paying dates - the first or second, I think, was here in Worcester at the Comic Strip."
"Two college kids ran it," Mom replied. "That's it, Paul Tinsley and Eddie Madus. I hope they're here tonight. They were so nice. I wonder if they know we're in town?"
Once Poor
Now that they are "mini-millionaires" the Cowsills were asked if they recalled what their appearance at the Comic Strip (formerly in Lincoln Square) paid them?
"Seventy-five dollars," answered Bob, "it was big money too."
"I wish those days were back," sighed Paul. "I had more money then."
"Whattaymean?" said Barry. "You weren't even with the group. You didn't sing until you knew it was safe, after we had three hit records."
"Yeah. I was the road manager and playing sports at Rogers High (in Newport)," Paul answered smiling.
When the Cowsills sang here in 1965, the family was so poor they now admit to not shoveling their walks in winter to keep the bill collectors out. "Now we have tenants occupying the Newport mansion," mother explained, "so we keep the place shoveled!"
The Cowsills live in Glendale, Calif. Bill, the oldest son, is out on his own now, recording and doing a single. He's married, living in Tulsa with a wife Karen, and newborn son, Travis. Bob's twin, Dick, left the act to enter the Army. He's out now "and fishing in Florida."
The Cowsills are fresh from a Euroopean tour, and flying back to California after a concert tonight at the Pittsfield Boys' Club. They appeared Friday at the Wallace Center in Fitchburg.
The biggest joy at the press conference was watching the faces of Carol and Nancy Stromberg of 954 Main St., Holden. The Wachusett Regional High School students represented the "Cowsilll Chronicle," the official fan club newspaper (P.O. Box 69420, Los Angeles, Calif., 90069) for those who follow this fabulous family that sings - and talks - together.
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