The Cowsills are a bubblegum/harmony pop band from Newport, Rhode Island, USA. Formed in 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob and Barry Cowsill. By 1967 the line up had expanded to include two more brothers, John and Paul, a younger sister Susan and their mother Barbara. Their father Bud, managed the band and according to the killer and highly recommended documentary Family Band: The Cowsills Story, was a bit of a mean old swine. A good example of how cruel their old man was is that their was a sixth brother, Richard who was not allowed in the band, instead recommended him to join the army just as the Vietnam war was in full swing. Nice one, Bud!
After a couple of minor regional hit singles for the Philips record label in 1966 the band, whose siblings ages ranged between 8 and 19 were signed to MGM records and in 1967 had their first major success with the sunshine pop anthem "The Rain, The Park & Other Things" which just miss the top of the Billboard charts, peaking at number 2. The Cowsills remained on MGM until 1970, playing approximately 200 shows a year and racking up a good handful of minor hits, plus another single charting at number 2, their version of "Hair" taken from the hippy musical of the same name. The accompanying LP's are well worth checking out too. For a group that are not really considered a serious act (mostly down to the fact of their young age and lets face it, having your mum in the band will never be cool) this family more than their fair share of killer tunes. If you're thinking of checking the band out, a good place to start is Painting the Day: The Angelic Psychedelia of the Cowsills compilation CD on Cherry Red records.
In 1970 Bill was caught smoking a joint by his father and was swiftly booted out of the band. The Beach Boys offered Bill a job taking over for the newly retired Brian Wilson, which was rejected in favour of his own solo career which would last for a single LP, the very listenable "Neverous Breakthrough" released in 1971 on MGM.
With Bill out of the picture, Bob, Barry and Paul took over as songwriters for the band's final album proper. In the space of a year between "IIxII" and "On My Side" the band had really matured and the production and arrangements by Bob and Barry is phenomenal when you consider they were aged just 21 and 17 respectively. They even look pretty cool on the album sleeve. The album has always reminded me of the first Bread LP, only more laid back in a Crosby, Stills & Nash way and with better harmonies. I've said it before, you'll never beat a family with vocal harmonies! There's even some Mellotron on a couple of tracks. I could rave on all night about how great each track on the album is, but I know that if you like the music I put up on this blog then you'll dig this album for sure. So go and hunt a copy down online on eBay or Discogs or treat yourself to the Now Sounds CD reissue. You need to hear this album!
The band were halfway through their second album for London when they were dropped and consequently split. A partial reunion took place in 1978 and some recordings known as "Cocaine Drain" were made but would not be officially released until 2008. Barbara Cowsill passed away in 1985 and it was at her funeral that all of the Cowsill children would reunite for the first time and would continue to record music sporadically right up to the present. Sadly, in 2005 Barry Cowsill was found dead in New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Just as tragic was Bill's death, on the same day as Barry's memorial service.
What I've written about above is just a fraction of the Cowsill's story. To find out more, check out the Family Band: The Cowsills Story DVD.
In 1970 Bill was caught smoking a joint by his father and was swiftly booted out of the band. The Beach Boys offered Bill a job taking over for the newly retired Brian Wilson, which was rejected in favour of his own solo career which would last for a single LP, the very listenable "Neverous Breakthrough" released in 1971 on MGM.
With Bill out of the picture, Bob, Barry and Paul took over as songwriters for the band's final album proper. In the space of a year between "IIxII" and "On My Side" the band had really matured and the production and arrangements by Bob and Barry is phenomenal when you consider they were aged just 21 and 17 respectively. They even look pretty cool on the album sleeve. The album has always reminded me of the first Bread LP, only more laid back in a Crosby, Stills & Nash way and with better harmonies. I've said it before, you'll never beat a family with vocal harmonies! There's even some Mellotron on a couple of tracks. I could rave on all night about how great each track on the album is, but I know that if you like the music I put up on this blog then you'll dig this album for sure. So go and hunt a copy down online on eBay or Discogs or treat yourself to the Now Sounds CD reissue. You need to hear this album!The band were halfway through their second album for London when they were dropped and consequently split. A partial reunion took place in 1978 and some recordings known as "Cocaine Drain" were made but would not be officially released until 2008. Barbara Cowsill passed away in 1985 and it was at her funeral that all of the Cowsill children would reunite for the first time and would continue to record music sporadically right up to the present. Sadly, in 2005 Barry Cowsill was found dead in New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Just as tragic was Bill's death, on the same day as Barry's memorial service.
What I've written about above is just a fraction of the Cowsill's story. To find out more, check out the Family Band: The Cowsills Story DVD.
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ReplyDeleteBill was "booted out" of the band in 1969 NOT 1970. He did not record with them on the "II x II" album from 1970, although that release contains three songs that he wrote or co-wrote before the ousting occurred. "Nervous Breakthrough" was released in October of 1970 NOT 1971. After Barbara, Paul and Susan left the band following the release of the single and album of "On My Side" to pursue other interests, Bill rejoined with Bob, Barry and John to record four sides released on the London label late in 1971 and early in 1972. Shortly after that the band disbanded until reuniting without Bill or Barbara to do session work on the Harry Chapin LP, "Living Room Suite". Chapin's producer, Chuck Plotkin, was assigned to produce "Cocaine Drain" tracks in the late seventies. By that time, Bill had moved to Canada and was busy recording and producing with his own band, Blue Northern, as well as with other acts from the country. Early in the 1990's, Bob, Paul, John and Susan recorded "Global", releasing it in 1998. In the 1990's and the first half of the 2000's, Bill had a good deal of success with two bands there-Blue Shadows and the Co-Dependents. He rejoined his siblings, including Richard, for two historic concerts during TORI (Taste of Rhode Island) in 2000. Bill's health began to decline during the next few years. The family reunited once more for a benefit concert to help pay for his medical expenses. Barry was a victim of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Two memorial services were held for him. It was about that time in 2006 that, the surviving members of the family were notified that Bill had passed away from emphysema. John joined the Beach Boys during the decade and has been performing with them ever since. Richard passed away in 2014. Bob, Paul and Susan appeared with the Happy Together Tour every summer from 2015-2019. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the tour being cancelled in 2020. However, they are back on the road with that tour this year (2021). In 2018, they began recording a new album, "Rhythm of the World". They have promised release late in 2021 but are now backtracking and saying it might not be released until 2022.
ReplyDelete-Joe Comer
You are correct sir. A hidden gem, this one.
ReplyDelete