The Cowsills was a band that was formed in 1965 by four brothers — Barry, Bill, Bob, and John Cowsill — in Newport, Rhode Island. They were later joined by their siblings Susan and Paul and their mother, Barbara. Originally inspired by the Beatles, the Cowsills developed their musicianship and harmonized vocals in performances at school dances and churches in their hometown.

They were encouraged by their parents, Barbara and Bud Cowsill, who drove them around to shows in the family's station wagon. After being signed by MGM records, they quickly became a popular act in the U.S., with their biggest hit song, The Rain, the Park and Other Things, reaching number 2 on the pop charts and selling more than one million copies. In 1969 they had another number two hit with their version of the title song from the musical Hair.

The Cowsills also made many television appearances throughout the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, including on their own television special. There were approached at one point to play the roles of the children on the television series The Partridge Family, but they were not willing to have actress Shirley Jones play the role of their mother instead of their real mother. The Cowsills were also known as spokespeople for the American Dairy Association , appearing in advertisements promoting milk.

In 1971 the Cowsills stopped playing together as a band, but they have produced albums and performed from time to time.

External links

• The Cowsills official site http://www.robinrecords.com/cowsills/
• The Cowsills http://www.bapresley.com/silverthreads/ -- a comprehensive fan site