Family Band: The Cowsills Story

For those of you who are over 50 and remember the Cowsills or even if you haven't, this movie is sure to interest you. The family band, popular in the late 60's was composed of five brothers, one little sister and their mother. All of them were talented musicians who perfected harmonizing. There were many hits, including "The Rain, the Park and Other Things", and "Hair".

This story is about their journey from the time the original four brothers started the band, to the breakup of the band, and what happened to them many years later. They open up about very personal family issues, including a brother who wasn't allowed to join them even though he yearned to. They talk about family secrets, revealing a family who was far from the perfect, happy family the public saw.

This is an entertaining movie, featuring the music of these very talented family members, many of whom became solo musicians and talented songwriters. At the same time, it is a story about a very real family with very real problems and tells each of its members individual stories. Throughout the movie you'll learn about how they coped and how most of them survived.

This is a family who despite rejection, failure, tragedy and some other harsh realities, still love each other.

Back in the late '60s, when I started reading teen magazines, there were articles on the Cowsills. At the time, the group consisted of Bob, Barry, John, Paul, Suzie and Barbara. It was mentioned that it was sad brother Bill was no longer in the group. Since I thought Bob had always been the lead singer, I thought who needed Bill? Only decades later when watching old videos of the group performing, did I realize Bill was the great lead singer on the Cowsill hits. Obviously, they needed Bill, because it all went downhill after his father kicked him out of the group. At the time, it was also reported that the Cowsills turned down doing the TV series that would become the "Partridge Family" because they had too many other work obligations.

This film explores how the singing family went from being a highly successful '60s group, to no longer having any songs that would hit the top of the charts, much less a TV series. It focuses mostly on the sons and the father. The father Bud was an abusive alcoholic who hit and belittled his kids, as well as sexually abused his only daughter. Little attention in the film is given to that sexual abuse, as well as little attention to their mother Barbara's role in all the family dysfunction. Plus, much of the film ends up being family members talking on and on about their lives in a way that may very well bore many viewers. In other words, it's not the most professionally produced documentary. It also creates a lot more questions than it provides answers.

The Cowsills were a band made up of brothers, one sister and their mom, ho had a few major hit records in the ate 60s. They were the inspiration for the show The Partidge Family. While this documentary chronicles the fairly short time they were fairly big stars, it more goes into the psychology of the family itself, especially about their abusive father Bud. There are interviews with all of them, and the insight they give to themselves and what they meant to both the world and each other is kind of fascinating. Although they look back in some regret you also see the love that still exists between them. This film is recommended for anyone who is interested in music documentaries that delve beyond the music to what all of their time in the sun and beyond meant. You see immense talent, but you also see the struggle. By the way, the music is good. If you remember them or are curious, this is just about a must see.

We Rhode Islanders love to claim The Cowsills as our own, and I was as big a fan as any other 10-year-old in RI in 1968. This documentary reveals the truth behind the all- American, happy family image put forth in such hits as "Indian Lake" and "The Rain, The Park."

At times heartbreaking to watch, The Cowsills still gave me goosebumps when they sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" a cappella at Fenway in 2004. Those harmonies!

A must-watch for anyone who remembers this very talented group.

The Cowsills were a talented band and a troubled family. The documentary shows the highs and lows of the family through sometimes difficult interviews. Finally, the film shows the high price the family paid for fame. Not an uplifting story, but still compelling.