An Evening with Bobby Cowsill - December 4, 2025
The real-life inspiration behind the hit television series The Partridge Family, the Cowsills -- teen siblings Bill, Bob, Barry, John, Susan, and Paul in tandem with mom Barbara -- were one of the biggest pop acts of the late '60s, scoring a series of hits including "The Rain, the Park and Other Things", “Indian Lake, and "Hair," distinguished by their angelic harmonies and sun-kissed melodies. The group's origins lie with Bill and Bob, who as children began their singing careers covering Everly Brothers hits. Given guitars by their father, Navy man William "Bud" Cowsill, the siblings soon recruited younger brothers Barry and John to play bass and drums, respectively, and as Beatlemania dawned, the teen foursome began performing live at school dances and church socials throughout their native Newport, RI. Soon the Cowsills landed a regular weekend gig at the local club Dorian's on Bannisters Wharf, and in 1965 recorded the single "All I Really Wanta Be Is Me" for the Joda label; the record generated little response, however, but after an appearance on NBC's The Today Show the group signed with Mercury Records, issuing three more singles.
Upon signing with MGM in 1967, The Cowsills added Mom to the band and had their first million-selling single, “The Rain, the Park and Other Things” (usually called the flower girl song) which was magnificently featured in Jim Carrey’s movie, “Dumb and Dumber”. They performed on such notable TV shows as the Ed Sullivan Show, the Johnny Cash show, the Tonight show, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and also had their own NBC television special in 1968. “Indian Lake” followed in the summer of ‘68 and in 1969 they had their biggest hit, the multi-million selling title song from the musical “Hair”. The Cowsills also recorded the theme song for the TV show “Love, American Style” which is still one of the most popular songs they perform in their shows. They were one of the early pop acts to record commercials for television (nationally shown milk ads for the American Dairy Association).
In 2025 the Cowsills are stronger than ever and their harmonies still ring true. They are still performing and bringing musical joy to all of their audiences. They signed with Omnivore Recordings releasing their first album in 30 years called “Rhythm of the World” and have since released earlier albums like "Global" and "The Cocaine Drain Album". Still touring and performing and going strong after 5 decades the Cowsills harmonies continue to soar and the family continues on its long legacy of providing joy and entertainment to all who come.
The real-life inspiration behind the hit television series The Partridge Family, the Cowsills -- teen siblings Bill, Bob, Barry, John, Susan, and Paul in tandem with mom Barbara -- were one of the biggest pop acts of the late '60s, scoring a series of hits including "The Rain, the Park and Other Things", “Indian Lake, and "Hair," distinguished by their angelic harmonies and sun-kissed melodies. The group's origins lie with Bill and Bob, who as children began their singing careers covering Everly Brothers hits. Given guitars by their father, Navy man William "Bud" Cowsill, the siblings soon recruited younger brothers Barry and John to play bass and drums, respectively, and as Beatlemania dawned, the teen foursome began performing live at school dances and church socials throughout their native Newport, RI. Soon the Cowsills landed a regular weekend gig at the local club Dorian's on Bannisters Wharf, and in 1965 recorded the single "All I Really Wanta Be Is Me" for the Joda label; the record generated little response, however, but after an appearance on NBC's The Today Show the group signed with Mercury Records, issuing three more singles.
Upon signing with MGM in 1967, The Cowsills added Mom to the band and had their first million-selling single, “The Rain, the Park and Other Things” (usually called the flower girl song) which was magnificently featured in Jim Carrey’s movie, “Dumb and Dumber”. They performed on such notable TV shows as the Ed Sullivan Show, the Johnny Cash show, the Tonight show, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and also had their own NBC television special in 1968. “Indian Lake” followed in the summer of ‘68 and in 1969 they had their biggest hit, the multi-million selling title song from the musical “Hair”. The Cowsills also recorded the theme song for the TV show “Love, American Style” which is still one of the most popular songs they perform in their shows. They were one of the early pop acts to record commercials for television (nationally shown milk ads for the American Dairy Association).
In 2025 the Cowsills are stronger than ever and their harmonies still ring true. They are still performing and bringing musical joy to all of their audiences. They signed with Omnivore Recordings releasing their first album in 30 years called “Rhythm of the World” and have since released earlier albums like "Global" and "The Cocaine Drain Album". Still touring and performing and going strong after 5 decades the Cowsills harmonies continue to soar and the family continues on its long legacy of providing joy and entertainment to all who come.