The Cowsills: The Heartbreaking Reason Why They Suddenly Disappeared
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 พ.ค. 2024
- #thebeatles #thepartridgefamily #themonkees #TheCowsills #1960s
From 1967 to 1971, The Cowsill Family Band was huge. They had top ten pop hits and were regularly on TV. They even had their own TV special. Then it seemed like they disappeared overnight. What happened? Warning - There are spoilers in this if you plan on watching the Amazon Prime documentary from 2011.
The documentary is called Family Band: The Cowsill Story. Here's the link: www.amazon.com/Family-Band-Lo...
Louise Palanker TH-cam Channel
/ louisepalanker
Media Path Podcast
www.mediapathpodcast.com/
Cowsill Tribute Page bapresley.com/silverthreads/
Johnny Carson • Johnny Carson - The Co... - บันเทิง
![The Cowsills • “Indian Lake” • LIVE 1968 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BdCTYiGwmFA/mqdefault.jpg)
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I grew up with an abusive Father. I know what it's like to live thru it to watch your Mom almost get killed to watch your brothers and sisters get beat half to death. My Mom killed my Dad one night when he was literally killing my sister. My Mom shot him and he died. That was the end of the abuse. It's horrible to live thru that. I feel the Cowsills pain!
Wow, so sorry for what you went through. Some people should never have kids.
I watched my biological father beat my mom with a belt. I was two years old. 60 years ago and I can remember it like it was yesterday. I can't imagine how vivid your memories are. I'm sorry you had to go through that. When he did about 4 years ago, I felt nothing. Not even joy. I just felt nothing.
@@minkymottMy Dad was abused. His step dad threw him out of the house when he was 10. He was eating out of garbage cans till another family took him in. His mother forged his birth certificate and he went into the service and fought in the Korean War. My Dad died 46 years ago. I was devastated. My Dad was mentally ill but back then what happened behind closed doors stayed there. There was no calling the cops. They wouldn't do anything. They said it was none of there business. You didn't have mental health facilities like you do now. There was nowhere to go for help. I loved my Dad but he couldn't fight his demons and he took it out on us. My Mom did what she had to do. It was us or him. She chose her kids. Everybody's story is different. Everybody processes things differently. I'm sorry your Mom had to go thru that and I totally understand why you feel as you do. I felt that way when my Dads step father died. All I really remember about him was I was petrifide of him. I wouldn't go near him. He died when I was 8 or 9 and I felt nothing. When your raised being abused you either go to one extreme or the other. You end up just like the abuser or the polar opposite and I Thank God every day that myself and my brother and sisters chose the latter.
So she went to prison for that right?
😪❤️🙏
I adored the Cowsills. I breaks my heart that they suffered from such a monster of a father. I lived through the same thing. For those who wonder "Why didn't the mother do more ?", it was very different times back then. There weren't any shelters for abused women. Even the laws back then kept women from getting their own credit cards without a husband's approval. God grant those who passed peace, and strength and grace to the survivors.
Yes exactly. Things were more screwed up.
@cat owner No we are not this is not the middle East
My father had a credit card with Sears. My mother paid the bills. One day she decided to go shopping there and they would not approve the charge because my father wss not there to sign it. My mother said, "I pay all the bills. If you don't approve my charge you will not get any more money on this account!" Then she went home.
Three days later a new Sears card in her name was in the mail box!
HELLO THE COWSILLS 👪 LIVED IN MASSILLON OHIO I WAS BORN AN RAISED THERE 👏🙌👌👍😉💯INTHE FIFTYS I DID NT HERE ANYBODYTALK ABOUT THEM LIVING IN MASSILLON OHIO!!!!!!! I REMEMBER 🎶👂🎶👂TO THEIR MUSIC ON THE RAIDIO 😎🆒️😎 🎶🎵🪕🎼💿🎸🎶🎵🪕SOOOOOOO SORRY 😞😐😢TO HEAR THIS ABUSE TO THIS 👪 I WISH I KNEW THEM ITS TOOOOOOO SAD AND ITS TOOOOOOO SAD 😥😢😞😔💔I 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@cat owner
No we’re not going back to that. I think I know why you think we are; because the Supreme Court is overthrowing the laws that they legislated? They cannot constitutionally legislate laws. They may only rule on the constitutionality of laws as brought before them.
For instance, they legislated implied immunity for police officers, judges, certain members of the court, & certain political figures. They passed a law, & they cannot do that. Every law the Supreme Court legislated on their own must be redirected to the states whether we like it or not.
I am DEVASTATED after listening to this. There was a time where I was crazy about them. Now I know what destroyed this beautiful group - I remember being envious that each of them had a color TV in their rooms, at the time. Lesson learned: never envy what you just "see" - be happy with your own lot in life - your journey was made for you alone. :(
It is terrible Abuse can happen to anyone Even when they first came out it was known that the father was strict and abusive Such nice talented youngsters awful
@@mkimmick61 stop being a jerk to people.
@@mkimmick61 Where did you get the idea you can tell someone how he feels? Or to stop expressing himself anyway he chooses? YOU sound like an abuser.
@@mkimmick61 Sorry, I didn't realize you were directing the shape of my emotions. I need to follow your advice and temper my emotions to coincide with your conventions of comportment online! Shame on me.
Enrique, It is devastating to learn that the the group you loved listening to, & that you were “crazy about” had such a hard life with an abusive father. It shows the caring & compassionate side to you. I can’t imagine the stress and grief they must’ve been under every day of their lives.
You do make a VERY good point, which is, to be happy with our own lives. We really never know what others are going through! We need to be happy & content with what God has given us. That’s not saying, that we can’t strive for bigger and better things. We should! We just need to do it without envy, bitterness, or wishing we were someone else. Great comments. I enjoyed reading what you had to say!
Bob, Paul and Susan are still together as The Cowsills and are part of The Happy Together Tour. I see them each August at the Indiana State Fair. Always a crowd favorite.
What happened to Bud?Is he still out there?
I had a father like Bud Cowsill. Fortunately, I survived my childhood and my family. I turned 70 this year, and I only have 2 older brothers left, with whom I am not in contact. I totally understand what those kids went through. :'(
❤️
Me too - my dad was a monster narcissist. Feels so good to have survived him.
got you both beat, my old man grew up in the middle of the 2nd world war dodging bombs an bullets until they ended up as slave labour in the fatherland. he used to cut the german soldiers hair so you can imagine my trendy hair style at school. hard working abd honest but sadly broken and violent and although not on my birth certificate my middle name was useless. i couldnt wait to try heroin by the time i was outa there. we didnt have eggshells to walk on in our house we had landmines, very unpredictable ones. it wasnt his fault, he had what we call today ptsd, i realised this at an early age but i still wanted to get him in his sleep. i even researched how much time i would get as a minor. there was little to no support for anyone in this position back in the 60s and 70s so i ran, 3000mls, until i hit the coast at the other end. the saddest thing was talking to many other addicts, my story was nothing, i lived in paradise compared to some i knew.
Same hear Noralee and my Doctor wanted me to sign legal documents i did not out of fear. my father had plenty of time to Beat thrash 9 of his children. Many baby boomers have PTSD with out the war Having instead of 3 years but 25-30 of physical mental abuse . we lived with no government help or Police but ending up in the hospital with emotions and scars gave them enough to talk about . Good day's were better as a child is normally to every one. feeling the scars still and yes life is very Depressing today comparing but still would have been a lot easyer. Noralee Stone i know how scars labor for many still today. Family split also but couple contacts slowly fading. Life is simply brutal cruel for no reason for many. Norelly as children we being abused has put the same negitive emotions in us making it very difficult to identify with each other for the abused feelings blocked away our ability to show our love for Family and as we slowly let it slip out of confusion why we feel guilty to keep caring but instead eventually turn angry tearing us apart from each other. Narcissitic emotional physical abuse is horrid and found my self with this hate but seeing counsel has brought back my self identity enough to know the difference but the scars stay and never go away. Grace is all we hope creator is not like some parents are. Hoping this type of abuse is not happening today but with all the suicides it's showing different. 🤔😉😉✌✌
@@trafficjon400 I am one of the fortunate few who've been able to access psychotherapy, including prescription medication. If one does the work in therapy, a state of equilibrium can be achieved - neither unhappy or depressed, but not exactly happy. It's more like peace or serenity. You are right about all the Boomers with PTSD. Consistent, long-term abuse is very harmful, and the scars never go away. If you are interested in another perspective on this situation, look up the A.C.E. study, which stands for Adverse childhood Experiences. It is based on a large database gathered by the Kaiser-Permanente Insurance Company, and sheds a great deal of light on the long term effects of childhood trauma. Look after yourself.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Bob for over 30 years. He is one of the kindest, funny, and most humble people I’ve ever met. He’s also incredibly talented. It’s so horrible what his father did to all of his children.
That's exactly the impression I get from him too.
The documentary was well done and interesting. The Cowsills were and remain a talented band. Would love to see the remaining members play again.
They are touring now
My heart goes out to the Cowsills ... GOD BLESS THEM
Having first hand experience of horrendous physical abuse as a child my heart breaks for the Cowsills I hope Richard found some peace in his life before he passed RIP Bill, Barry & Richard.
So sorry that you or anyone had to endure that kind of abuse. I hope you were able to heal and that you received justice 💔
Well he had a good smile, in spite of the long face. In fact ditto for all of them. Of course, in the days before the maxillofacial surgery racket.
@@therespectedlex9794 WTAF are you talking about?
I watched the documentary and everyone confirmed one thing that made sense on why Bud abused Richard the worst out of all of them. They said Bud hated himself and saw himself in Richard while his twin Bill had more of his mother in him. Plus Paul was the last added and auditioned like Richard and was accepted while Richard wasn’t. They actually tried to include him in a performance with the Red Sox who were playing their song Hair a lot and since he wasn’t trained in singing he was getting things wrong and you can tell he gave in and felt he didn’t belong.
@@psychedelicpayroll5412 I was asking why you called maxillofacial surgery a racket? Almost everyone knows that Bud was a bad person.
I grew up loving this group. Ive missed them so much. Its sad to see what the old man did to the group but sadder still to know what he did to his family.
Thank you.
What a vile "father". Vile.
I loved the Cowsills back in the late 60's when I was a teen and I love them to this day - every 45, every LP, and every song any of them ever did or still do! I Love Louise Palanker too for keeping the Cowsills legacy alive!
Yes, I'm so glad she was persistent and was determined to tell their story.
Yes, thank you Louise.
The Rain, the Park and Other Things was the perfect song at the perfect time of my life.
The very first episode of The Partridge Family - I knew exactly who they were copying.
A real shame such a good little band had to be ruined in that classical way - an all-too-familiar story.
I was a fan as a child/teenager. What I remember reading prior to the Partridge Family coming out was they originally thought they were going to do the show themselves. Very sad.
The Cowsills were going to be the actors in the show that became The Partridge Family, but the producers didn’t want to use their mother, and wanted another actress to portray her. The kids turned down the show because of that.
The Partridge Family was not Copying .. The show was developed for the Cowsills that their Manager Father screwed that up too.
@@fratzogmopars I suspect the kids didn't turn it down. The FATHER wouldn't let them do it. OR even worse, the father's difficult behavior made the network pull out of the deal, and used the excuse of "not wanting the mother" (which sounds odd because the original deal had "insisted" on the mother). OR the abusive father made the whole story up when he blew the deal for them.
@@charwest9449 Given the father’s reputation, your explanation certainly sounds plausible. After reading your comment I did a little digging and came across a few versions of why they were not cast, and found reasons ranging from the father, the network, or the kids rejecting certain terms. Just a sad story all around for the band, to be on top, and then break up. They kids appear to be ordinary, everyday good people, and it looks as though they got a raw deal.
Can't believe their dad got WORSE as they became MORE successful. How sad.
Like The Jackson 5's dad
That tends to be how it goes
I believe it. The father fits the characteristics of a narcissistic. It all has to be about them for them. Children are not to be cherished and nurtured but to be used. Too bad the wife did not divorce his butt and get a restraining order. Neither did my mom.
Apparently, their father was an alcoholic. He was okay when sober.
A common story ... Brian Wilson's dad (Beach Boys), The Jackson 5
It was not the parents that put them through this. But the narcissistic father. It only takes one narcissist to destroy a family. Very sad story. I actually saw them at Town Hall when I was 13 and went up and shook Bill's hand after the show because they were there to greet the fans. Yes I had a healthy crush on him.
Me too!
But not the mom, personality disordered?
What a shame. That is really sad.
I understand that you’ve learned a little about narcissism over the past five years because of the world’s worst narcissist, Donald Trump. But not every a-hole is a narcissist!!!
There is a world of psychological problems that AREN’T narcissism.
@@chudleyflusher7132 Donald is more of a productive narcissist than a toxic one. Narcissistic Personality Disorder often involves very private and covert abuses. Clearly what the Democrats do, and have done hides in plain sight from you. Look at Joe Biden and tell me that's normal.
I loved “Hair”, and “Indian Lake”. No idea that they went through all they did. Talk about a stage door parent. God bless them for their struggles.
"The Rain, the Park & Other Things" has always struck me as a sublime and evocative song title; the song itself does justice.
I agree, the title aptly describes a Summer day in the life of a teen back then.
@@hombre1965 And I used to sit on our lawn in the rain. (Not if there is thunder and lightning)I also picked a flower in the early morninvg and take it to school and carry it from class to class. A few other friends did it too. Yep a real flower child.
@@angelaackerman8934 Levis, barefoot, summer rain, early ‘70s. Paradise.
It's simply a beautiful song and so well done. Their version of Hair just rocks the house. (Go see the music video here on TH-cam.)
@@hombre1965 NOT THOSE TEENS - AT THE TIME....
Having grown up in the 1960's with an abusive father, I can understand what they went through. I am proud of them for hanging on and still played music. My Father was very competitive and when anyone did something well, he had to always tell them they weren't so special anyone could have done the same thing. The big trick was to break away as soon as possible and go it on your own.
Narcissistic. Good for you you broke away🤗
I liked the cowgirls too. One of my 1st albums was by the cowgirls. Saw them at the Brockton Fair.
@@poollife777 Bless you for listening to yourself and having the courage to lead your own life.
When I was 17, I thought it would be better to live in the ditch than to continue at home with my narcissistic hateful father.
@@mjsmith-jones7607 What is amazing is that so many "Good Families" had similar problems. I am pleased that you made it.
such a sad story, the music business will chew you up and spit you out in seconds but for a father to be a part of that process just blows my mind, i never knew what became of them and when i saw the documentary i was shocked, i had no idea they went through this. RIP to all who have passed on.
Billy Cowsill moved up to Vancouver, Canada, where he had a successful solo career, and also played in a couple of great country rock bands called Blue Northern and the Blue Shadows. The Blue Shadows album is excellent but very under-rated, and is one of my favourites today. I saw Billy live several times in Canada. Playing solo he was a great interpreter of classic country and rock and roll. There's other recordings he did that are hard to find today. He was a very good musician and highly respected in the Canadian music scene. The family tragedy is really sad.
I LOVED the Cowsills. I always wondered what happened to them. So sorry they had a father that sabotaged their success.
I watched this documentary after hearing about it from the radio show coast to coast. I had no idea that they actually were as talented as they were and still are. The rest of their story is extremely sad However, those that are still with us appear to be thriving.
My 1st big crush was with John Cowsill. He was only 1 year older than me & I was hooked @ 10-11 years old. I even went to see them @ the Michigan State Fair in about 1967! The highlight of my you life, John + Sally forever! I think I still have 2 of their LP's, vinyl don't you know. I'm 65 now & the Rain the Park & other things take me back to thr 60's!
What is doc called?
I saw thebCowsills a few years ago on the Forever tour! Great fun and memories!
It’s called Family Band. I just watched it last night on Amazon Prime Video.
I sang along to many a Cowsill song as a kid. I had no idea they were going through such sad circumstances.
I can't believe a father can do this to his kids. Thanks for this video!
"They has a bond that their father couldn't break". Not strictly true, some of them died young from the accumulative effects of addiction.
Very sad tale of a very talented family.
Barry downed in Katrina. Not sure how Bill died.
@@119AgentBill had emphysema, Cushing Syndrome, and osteoporisis. He did not die from drug use.
@@jameshowland7393 I didn’t think it was, he was sick for a while. Not sure where connoroleary591 heard any of them died from addiction. It just isn’t true.
YOU NEED TO WATCH THEIR DOCUMENTARIES AND HEAR THEIR OWN VOICES TELL OF THEIR TYRANT FATHER AND MENTALLY CHECKED OUT MOM WHO DIDN'T STEP UP AND PROTECT THEM. YOU ARE DEAD WRONG ABOUT ANY OF THEM HAVING VICES THAT TOOK THEM EARKLY ... REMOVE YOUR MIS-INFORMATION. IT IS CAUSING CONFUSION AND YOU COULD BE SUED FOR SLANDER....
Bill and I were in the same class ('66) at Middletown (RI) High School. Him and his family were making demos and playing gigs in the Northeast US prior to 67. Public vs private persona is literally a Jeckel and Hyde situation. RIP Narragansett Bay
I saw the documentary last night. Always liked their hits and the Partridge Family show, but really had no idea of the tragic life. Great, sad story. Wishing God's peace to all of them except for Bud. He'll have to find his peace from somewhere other than me.
Same experience here. I loved their songs, but I didn't know about the group since I was so young (5-7) during their popularity. But of course, LOVED the Partridge Family and especially David :)
I saw them in the Happy Together tour two years ago at the California State Fair. It was really a fun time. Garry Pucket, and one of the The Turtles (Flo was sick) and the lead singer for the Archies filled in for him, then he sang his Archies hit. They all put on a great show.There were three actual Cowsills performing. They sounded great.
Sugar Sugar? Say what you want about "bubblegum" bands, that was one almost perfect pop song.
I saw that show last night. It was great
I saw that show just yesterday. I thought the Cowsills were the best part of the entire “ Happy Together” concert.
I wasn’t really familiar with the Cowsills but I just saw them a week ago at the Wisconsin state days with the Happy Together tour with the same line up & they were great ❤️
That would have been fun!! The Archies....Sugar, 🎶🎼ahhhhhh, honey honey🎶🎵.....loved that song!!
GREAT thing is they still sing together at the fair every summer... we'll most of them.
Saw the 3 in 2019 on the Happy Together tour in my town. My friend bought me a DVD in the lobby for my birthday, and as we were about to leave, I had to go back in to use the restroom. After that, we saw the Cowsills in the lobby talking with fans. When it was our turn, they all signed my DVD, and we (my friend and I) took our picture and video with them. Very nice people.
To have that father take over the original 4 member band and drive it into the ground is unexcusable. How far they could have gone with a professional manager because they were extremely talented. And then the typical stage parent story of parents spending the hard earned money their kids earned. Tragic.
Totally agree!
The impression I get is from watching this is that dear old dad wa a very narcissistic and grandiose.
Bud Cowsill was like my father, hellbent on not having his sons be successful & the toll that took on my life!!
If memory serves, I think this almost happened with The Beach Boys but they were able to get away from Daddy Dearest. I’m going on here say.
if they made 20 million dollars the father did not spend it he was swindled out of it.
11:27 John Cowsill sang and played percussion on the 1981 hit, 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone.
No kidding very cool fact thank you Patrick
True!
we saw Bob, Paul & Susan in concert last August, i was thrilled, my childhood memories of their famous song.
The documentary was heartbreaking, I grew up with this band. Glad they found peace and are still performing-such a talented family.
I had the pleasure of meeting John in the 1980s and am glad that I never asked what happened to the band. Just talked about enjoying the music, the work he was doing at the time and travel.
THIS is what a malignant narcissist does. They destroy everything. I'm sorry to hear this.
Destroy or devour ...
Well said, what a piece of work!
He even left the boys without fair earnings for their efforts!
If that was my father he would have been busy pushing up daisies long ago!
Goal for me but freedom for the family!
SMH
What we call "abusive" now was way too "normal" for those of us raised in the 60s / 70s. Part of it was many of the fathers were in WWII, and suffered from undiagnosed PTSD. It was called "shell shock" and they were expected to just "get over it". There wasn't much in the way of therapy and you were frowned on if you went.
It's not an "excuse", but it is the reality.
Very interesting (and true) perspective. Families just suffered through and carried on😢
That's an interesting point. Some of it was just abuse.
@@scottguthrie8074 - absolutely. I knew a family where the son was sent to live with his grandparents because his father beat the crap out of him regularly. The daughter was left as his abuse to her was "only" verbal / emotional.
I never have, and never will buy the b.s. excuse of blaming the war on cruelty to your wife. People do this because they are evil. (Speaking of abusive husbands) if they laid them all end to end.. it would be a good thing
Unfortunately, that's the way it was. Very little understanding at all of the dynamics of abuse. The family members just continued to suffer.
Thank you for this video. The Cowsills were the inspiration for The Partridge Family. They also sang the original theme song for the TV show Love,American Style.
Glad you enjoyed it.
First album I bought was The Cowsills! They were very talented and it hurts to hear what happened to these good people.
" Power corrupts . Absolute power corrupts absolutely. " Thanks for posting.
It's really a shame that their father turned out to be such an excellent example of why entertainers should never have relatives involved in management. I enjoyed the Cowsills way back when.
I know what a SOB of a father can do to a family. I experienced his vile, abusive anger firsthand and so did my siblings. Amazingly, none of us succumbed to drugs or alcohol, and are all still alive well into our 60's and 70's. There still remains scar tissue, however.
Yep. And what does this all-too-prevalent pattern of primarily male-driven behavior say about how we think of men's roles in society, how we raise real men, and what is the TRUE meaning of so-called "power?"
Our mother was the abusive one, every one of us has had issues with drugs or alcohol, amazingly we have all beaten our addiction
Dad was the one who treated me and my sisters like punching bags when he was home. He wasn’t a drunk just sadistic. Luckily he only came home on the weekends . But getting beating every weekend for 14 years is no joke and I’ve got the bad relationships and PTSD from it. Unfortunately mom was a narcissist so I got the emotional abuse from her . None of us 4 girls mistreat our children . So that was one legacy we didn’t pass on.
It’s sad that so many of those family groups that started in the 60’s had abusive, alcoholic fathers who ruled them with an iron fist. The Beach Boys, Jacksons and new revelations about the Osmonds come to mind. The Osmond dad wasn’t an alcoholic but he was abusive.
Yes, it seems to be a commonality with these family groups.
Bing Cosby belting his kids. Jerry Lewis leaving his sons out of the will...
Didn't know that about the Osmonds old man. Terrible. No talent themselves, let's ride the hell out of my kids. I heard that the Cowsills' mother was made to go with them by the prick..
But now hold on. The Jackson 5ive was a very successful group at Motown and when they left Motown; and it’s never been stated that Joe Jackson was an alcoholic. Of he was tough, but he was a big part of their success. He stood up to Barry Gordy when other Motown performers just kept quiet. Of course looking at how Michael changed over those years must been contributed to Joe’s tough behavior at times. And I never heard of the Osmond’s dad being cruel and hateful. Just saying.
@@MrNathan791 Abusive and controlling can be said about all of the dads, including Joe and George. And no, they weren’t all alcoholics. And these are what I have read that their own children say about their dad. LaToyah did not have good things to say about Joe. And the revelations about George Osmond came out after he died. Marie said things as well as one of the brothers. I can’t remember which one.
I loved the Cowsills❤❤ Saw them in concert and will never forget it!
Heartbreaking story. 🙏🏼🙏🏼💔🙏🏼🙏🏼
When I working with Johnny Cowsill at The Hop in the late 80s I was given a peak into that dynamic. You could tell they were covered by a dark cloud...
I like the Cowsills' music. Very talented people.
Not fair what happened with these talented kids. God bless the ones are still here and the ones who are gone.
I saw John as the drummer with the Beach Boys in Melbourne. It was an amazing drumming performance to my ears, just perfect.
Melbourne FL Or Australia?
@@alfrede.neuman8898 oops good point: Australia.
I still loved the Cowsills, and I'm 67.
Wilson, Jackson, Debarge, Cowsill too. Not to mention Marvin Gaye's absolute monster of a father. What the heck! Why were so many fathers of talented youth so damn awful? Despite their incredible talents, the children often end up scarred for life.
Greed
@@jericlark5855 Yep. Greed and craziness.
Alcohol plays a big part.
Wow, this was so sad. This family was very talented. By this man being their father and manager he was able to have a strong hold over these kids minds and careers. I can only imagine the fear they and their mom must of had whenever this devil came into the room. I really feel had they been able to have had a real manager who would’ve had their best interest at the center of decisions being made, The Cowsills would not have just disappeared 50 yrs.ago. So sad to hear about the passing of 3 of the brothers. And the “Flower girl “ has become a favorite; I can remember as a child growing up in the 70’s always hearing this song on the radio. It’s a dreamy magical feel good song. Now I think I’ll go and check the documentary. Thanks for sharing some insights on this very talented family.
It is a hard one to watch.
THE SO CALLED DAD , GOT OUT OF THE MILITARY AND IT WAS EASY TO RIDE ON THE COAT TAILS OF YOUR KIDS BY THREATENING WITH AN IRON FIST WHILE BEING A DRUNK....
I saw this group in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They were great and I have Bob cowills autograph. So exciting , they were great.
Inspiration for The Partridge Family TV show.
What an absolute shame they way they were treated. I still enjoy their music!
Once upon a time... I knew the words to several of their songs. Had no clue about their dad. There was no internet and Tiger Beat only peddled happy stories in their rag. So sad. 😥
Hi how’re you doing?
MY FATHER ONCE BROKE A LEATHER BELT ON MY BACK...IM 69 YEARS OLD..I CAN'T FORGET...THATS THE WAY IT WAS IN THOSE DAYS!😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪
I remember them very well we went to school together in Rhode Island our fathers were both in the Navy. They would sometimes play their guitars before home room started.
Oh wow! We actually lived across the street from them, in Middletown RI. my dad was in the Navy too. We were there 1964-66, i was 6 years old.
Charlotte: What a wonderful memory.
Saw them perform at the top of their game in 1969. If only their dad hadn’t been such a monster. 😢 Such talent individually and awesomely combined.
"The Rain, The Park & Other Things" is easily ranked in the top five songs I have listened to the most in my entire 62 years. The vocals, the music and the production are so ethereal. It's like having the best 3 minute dream every time I listen to it. "Wonderful Summer" by Robin Ward, "Let Him Run Wild" by the Beach Boys and "Gypsy Woman" by Brian Hyland are a few of the others I've listened to repeatedly for over 50 years.
"The rain, The park" tune is one I never get tired of hearing. and "Gypsy Woman", by Curtis Mayfield (he wrote it too) is the best version.
@@adotintheshark4848 Again, I have to disagree with someone here and that's regarding your assessment of which is the better version. To each their own.
Thank you for listing who sang Wonderful Summer. I have that 45 RPM record, which erroneously lists Leslie Gore as the singer. I could tell it wasn't Leslie. I wonder if this misprinted label is worth some money.
Gary, you have great taste!
@@nancyselzer628 Wonderful Summer sounds awesome played on 33 speed,,,,,
Super talented, great song writers, great stage presents, all washed away by jealously and greed, my heart goes out to them for the mess they had to deal with , thank you for your music, it lifts me up every time I hear it.
Well said!
Hopefully we evolve. Love who you are. Don't get trapped into what you think the world wants you to be. This is your life.
just saw the remaining members\-\susan , bob and paul - last sat. nite at the calvin theatre in northampton , mass with the 'happy together 'tour. and they are still great. appearing with the association , the vogues , the turtles and the buckinghams. excellent show
Being a child of the 60's, I remember their climb to stardom. (I'm the same age as Susan) and in the early 1970's, I remember thinking that it was strange that their music, as good as it was, just stopped. As with many things in life sadly, out of sight, out of mind. Until last night, they were on Coast to Coast! What a great interview they did. Well worth staying up until midnight. 😉👍🏻 And today I watched their documentary on Amazon. Wow, sad story but the best thing about them is their enduring love for each other. God bless them all.
I had that same reaction from back in the day. They seemed to be everywhere and then they were gone. No internet or much of anything else to figure out why.
4-sure; they really love each other. With a tyrant for a dad something so traumatic growing up in can really bring siblings closer feeling that they survive what their dad put them through. God bless the remaining siblings, and RIP Cowsills brothers and mom.
Is that Coast to Coast interview available somewhere free, not behind a paywall? I would like to listen to it.
This day is a blessing from God, May it be a blessing to your life. Have a good day!
@@TonyBoyOhBoy same here
I loved the cowsils. When they first kicked off I was starting high school. TFS this interesting story.👍🏻🙏💕
Interesting story. At around 10 yrs old I liven in Queens NY my little brother and I met Bill at our appartment laundromat. SO nice he sang us HAIR and Indian Lake. He was surprised I knew every word. Great guy. Around 71 or 72. Woodside Queens.
Thanks for the recommendation. It was really good. I'm old enough that I grew up with the Cowsills, so sad.
Thanks! Yes, it was very sad. I'm glad things seem to be working out for the kids now.
⚘💕COWSILLS EXTRAORDINARY TALENT!⚘
Wow.. horribly sad to learn this...Im 62 today and was a Cowsills fan as a kid...... Like everyone I always wondered where they went....
I was only 3 in 1967....but grew up with their songs...... I'm very grateful that I didn't have a father like theirs. I play their music every week almost.
Grew up blocks from them. Newporters are quite proud of Cowsills.
I was born in Newport and grew up in Bristol and very much remember the Cowsills growing up in the 60s.
I always loved the Cowsills. Hated the father! Many Rhode Islanders knew he was an abusive son of a devil. He family was his fifedom
Wow, I loved the music of the Cowsills. I was the Flower girl of my time. My heart just Breaks hearing all of this... sending my LOVE...
I still have my 45 "We Can Fly" record in the jacket and will always remember them growing up. What a talented group and wish the rest of the family all the best.
That one and the video is my number one favorite
Saw them last night. Watching the absolute joy of Susan both performing on stage, and sitting on a gig case off-stage rocking out to other acts was a treat.
I lived that abuse in the 60s/70s.
The terror of a Narcissistic Psychopath is life warping.
the women paired off with those kind of men should have been held accountable by the 1990s but many still defended their husbands.
Yes indeed, my mother was a narcissist. The scars are deep and lasting.
@@Grannathinks so was my mother and she was the meanest person I ever knew
It was 50s and 60s for Me and my 4 siblings. Im the last one left.
There father was a selfish Nut! People like him are a disgrace. Very 😢 sad.
I saw them twice in the summer of '66 at a teen club, the Comic Strip, in Worcester, Mass.
I grew up near there lol
Good family. Breaks my heart . I know how rough families can treat each other. We all have our crosses to bare.
They put Rhode Island on the musical map! Cowsills made us proud!
It would break my heart to watch a video on what that monster did to his family. I knew much of this story already, but I am really bummed having learned a lot of new details. The Cowsills gave me so much pleasure listening to the flower girl and Indian Lake. They deserved so much more than they got.
It really is sad isn't it being born in 62 I also remember them and the abuse is truly sad I guess I don't remember much about that cuz my stepdad was busy beating the hell out of me but better me than my sisters I guess take care Bob
@@feellucky271 I wouldn't hesitate to phone for police, then as that's too expensive, seek real counseling for ex-
military dudes. Mental health can assist,
if a Judge is understanding. I went this
route with a drug infested girlfriend
@@robertknowles2699 thanks man yeah did six years in the military and between that I've had good home life with my 2 son's mom,my daughter's mom was killed when she was only 8 weeks old but you know that's life and I still feel I'm ahead of the game I've taking my lumps as have we all but one thing I din't do was strike or ever yell at my kids and they're as right and successful and that makes me happy for them.and I'm 60 now, Thanks for responding Robert
Peace
THEY WERE SOWING BEAUTY OUT OF THEIR ASHES. THOSE THAT HAVE DEPARTED ARE NOW HEALED AND AT PEACE WITH THEIR GOD.....
@@robertknowles2699 GREAT FOR TODAY - BUT IN THE 60'S 70'S AND EARLY 80'S IT WAS ALL BRUSHED UNDER THE RUG. EX- MILITARY AND SOME COPS WERE JUST AS BAD ON A REGULAR BASIS BACK THEN... VERY MILITANT AND NO COMPASSION OR STABILITY....
Sad story. I saw the Cowsills perform last fall and they sounded great. I had no idea at the time of their dark past. I hope to see them perform again next year.
The Cowsills played a free show in downtown Worcester Mass in 1965.. They had a song called "all I wanna be is me". I still have the record. It wasn't a big hit. I never knew there was another Brother not in the band. Other favorite songs not mentioned here are "Poor Baby" and "In Need Of A Friend". I still remember cruising around and listening to those on 8 track.
Never heard these in England but loved the Partridge family
I saw that movie and i loved them in 68 to 72. I also wondered WHAT happened to the group. They were all so talented but at least we had them for a while. That dad was horrible and mom should have done something. Bud had also tried to molest Susan at 11 years old. I kept thinking back in 68 what it was like to be the younger like Susan and have 6 brothers!? I also think now how tough it was for the family to do interviews and take photos when life was much harder with DAD! I still love their music today. Thanks for talking about them!
I got reacquainted with the Cowsills when I started following the Continental Drifters in the late 90s. Susan wrote a number of songs and sang on quite a few. It really was a family band of a sort - her now ex-husband Peter Holsapple and current husband Russ Brousard, plus her sister-in-law Vicki Peterson (of the Bangles, married to Susan’s brother John). Susan and Vicki also had a band called the Psycho Sisters. She is a great songwriter with a good, soulful voice.
Interesting
Susan Dey later played in "LA Law". I didn't care much for kid bands (much less the Osmonds or the Monkees as I was into to the Beatles and Rolling Stones, etc). To me, they were "baby bubblegum" for preteen girls. If I'd known about the abuse, I might've become more sympathetic.
I saw the Continental Drifters years ago at La Zona Rosa in Austin, Texas. They were excellent. Susan told a funny story about Conway Twitty - apparently she’d been married to him in the past. The dBs were one of my favorite bands from the 1980s so it was great seeing her with Peter.
@@shimmeringfairydust3275 RE " told a funny story about Conway Twitty - apparently she’d been married to him in the past."
no way married
@@shimmeringfairydust3275 Susan Cowsill was never married to Conway Twitty. hahahahahaaaa
How sad! Will always ❤️ their music!
This type of life is often because of the Fathers who were in the War. Most of the Dads came back from World War 11 very damaged. I'm not saying all Dads did...or that in all Wars didn't have this, I'm just talking about this particular one as that's the one that their Father had gone to. It's extremely harsh to live a life with this... PTSD....was the culprit. I know... my Dad ,before he passed, said to me that he had it and I guess it was his way of trying to express why he was so frightening, horribly abusive, mean, cruel and so very abusive and how it was daily. God bless all of the Cowsills and my Family,too. What a life I had.
I have heard Susan perform several times and she has one hell of a voice. Whether she sings with her brothers or anyone else, I love to hear her sing. She's magnificent.
I adored these guys. I was Catholic and thought I'd be perfect in this family. I went to a concert in Twin Falls Idaho. Love you guys
Hi how’re you doing?
I had no idea! I loved them & always wondered what happened to them. So sad for them.
I remember seeing/hearing them perform live in San Antonio, Texas at a big boat show downtown. Pretty sure it was the very early 70s. They were introduced and started their performance. When they sang the song Hair I did a double take because it was really good. Never heard of them before that. But after hearing them perform Hair I never forgot them! Sorry to hear their story had a sad ending.
Really interesting! One of Bill’s sons is my best friend and is the spitting image of his old man. Has his singing talent too.
@@mikeuyeda6312 nope. not him
Yeah, we believe you 😆😂🤣
@@Frankie5Angels150 I don't care if you believe me, i'm not not about to put his personal info up on here though.
I’m sorry for all the pain that family suffered through, and to so many on this thread who suffered similarly. What a monster society we live in where parents can routinely marginalize kids as nothing more than kick-the-can trash. I know first-hand, but I just wanted to say that I am sorry to all of you who were unjustly treated so horribly to leave lasting scars. 😢
This was the generation when I was a tween. Now, I long for those days.
Thank you for doing this story. Heartbreaking what goes on behind what we see.
I'd heard of them and knew their talent and harmonies were so impressive, but I wasn't familiar with the heartrending details of their story until I saw the documentary. I was struck by the genuine, earnest humility each seemed to display, and by their honesty; in addition, it is evident that their bond with one another is tight and loving throughout the years. What a shame there weren't some strong muscle-bound uncles in the family who could have taken that creep of a father to the woodshed for some much-needed "attention" before wresting a promising career away from Bud's grasp. Lovely family and touching story. God bless them.
They sang : Love American Style!!! Loved that show and song!!!
Wow, saddest story.
God bless the living. Rest in Peace to those who've gone on.
I had the extreme pleasure of seeing the Cowsills (what's left of them ) performing at The Happy Together Tour last year (2023). It was an amazing experience. I'm heartbroken to learn of the reason they fell apart.
I'm 58 yrs old and i remember my older brother playing records by the Cowsills in the late 1960's.
They were my first favorite band in the 60's. I didn't know about their father. But they still had more good songs than a lot of the other 60's bands. I still listen to them all the time.
" The Rain, The Park & Other Things" is one of my favourite songs , I bought the single when it came out. I thinks what makes it special is their great harmonies especially Barbara's vocals
Indian Lake, written by Tony Romeo is one of my Top 10 songs of the 60s. Reading through the comments I feel grateful my dad was not a heavy drinker. I remember many days just listening to my amazing transistor radio. I loved those songs in the 60s.