See that? Susan has no problem staying on the beat with the tambourine but Paul seems totally bewildered on the Merv Griffin show when he's on the spot for it, it's funny, here he's clapping on beat, no problem. ?????
The Cowsills 2011 on tour; July 26 Mohegan Sun Casino Uncasville CT; July 27 BB Kings Blues Club & Grill New York NY; September 4 The Cannery Casino Las Vegas NV
Having mostly been familiar with "The Park, The Rain and Other Things" and "Hair" I was really quite shocked at the bridge between 1:38 and 2:25. That teenybop band could actually rock out when they wanted to.
The Partridge Family was based on the Cowsills. They were meant to star in their own sitcom but it all fell through so the Partridge Family was made instead.
@homemoviescolorado I still can't talk about what I was made to do on Bicenntenial Day, 1976. Lets just say it involved ruffled shirtfronts and buckle shoes.
Thanks for the upload. Great clip and great memories. Anyone who hasn`t checked out Susan Cowsills solo music should give it a go. She`s a fabulous singer songwriter.
the only girls in the famous family where Susan cowsill Marie Osmond and Mary Crosby and they all did great things and there still in the business still but
the only girls in the famous family where Susan cowsill Marie Osmond and Mary Crosby and they all did great things and there still in the business still but
the cowsills where the frist family of music and will always be
Unfortunately, the Cowsills were considered Aesthetically incompatible with the TV cameras, that is why they did not portray themselves on The Partridge Family. In simple language, the producers thought they were too ugly for television. Nothing what so ever to do with their God given talents.... true story!
@rtan723 There are several stories on why the Cowsills acutally didn't get their own TV series or put in the Partridge Family. One story had the producers saying only Susan was suitable, others said that the Cowsills balked when whey wanted to replace Barbara with Shirley Jones, and another, on a "Behind the Music-Partridge Family", one of the Cowsills said they they were too old to say lines like "Can I borrow the keys to the car"?
@humblepiebrianblair Music Scene ran from September 22, 1969 to January 12, 1970 on ABC so I'm guessing this is from 1969. That also matches up with the fact that Silver Needles/Love American Style hit the charts at #74 in 1969.
I've alway's liked the Cowsills...but back in the day,,they were not considered a huge talent relative to the top bands...but relative to the crap these day's,,I can't think of a top act that compare's. I still have the "rain,park ect.." and "hair" records I bought when they came out. They were considered "bubble gum"...but the best damn "bubble gum" ever!!..partrige,,jackson's..osmonds.....sorry...but they got "worked" by the Cowsills!!
They were better than the Osmonds. They were tight instrumentally. Tighter than most back then. When it comes to the Partridge family, David Cassidy was the only one with talent. Though if I saw them play I couldn't take my eyes off of Susan Dey. Bit of trivia here . . . did you know that Stephen Stills of Crosby, Pills and Hash showed up to audition for a chance become one of the Monkees? No joke! They turned him down because of his receding hairline. Thought it wouldn't appeal to the tweens.
To tomk773, I don't like your comment about their mom. She was a very beautiful woman who produced some handsom men and a very beautiful daughter. By that alone she contributed to the world, what about you!? Not only that, she was a singer and a performer. And very good at that.
Firstly, the mom looked like a bulldyke (in truth she was a battered wife), the kid's music/lyrics were out-of-step w/the times & they were religious zealouts -need i say more..?
@atomic3939 They were/are Catholic. And they were NOT religious zealots. Their hit songs are completly secular and their performances and interviews gave no hint of proselytizing. If they're were trying to propegate the faith then they weren't very good at it.
They turned it down because the mom would have been replaced by Shirley Jones (who got the job anyway), and they said, "All the Cowsills or no Cowsills".
@ 53Topanga, You are so right. I remember watching them as kid and Flower Girl was sooo big..lol We used to watch Ed Sullivan, the Smother Bros and J Cash to watch groups back then.
It was a mutual decision that kept The Cowsills from getting a TV show. Yes, their dad/manager was demanding that their mom be included, but TV execs had doubts about producing a show with a bunch of non-actors. Further, by the time the show was about to become a reality, the Cowsills were no longer cute little kids. Yes, Susan was still a kid, but the 2nd youngest John was already close to 6 ft tall by that time. So the producers nixed the idea of hiring the Cowsills.
@navarone82 - Lots of music performers become actors, even if not very good actors. Were the eventual "Patridge Family" kids good actors? I don't think Susan Dey had even acted yet. She'd been a model. And didn't the show become a reality in the fall of 1970? So, John was 14 (and close to 6 feet tall?). David Cassidy was about 20 years old (playing something like 17 and looking 17 too).
@57highland I just wrote what Susan Cowsill stated in an interview. They didn't get a TV show because their dad wanted Mom in it and the producers didn't want a bunch of nearly grown teenagers who couldn't act. So they got some cute kid actors to pretend playing instruments while David Cassidy and Shirley Jones sang. The show did become a huge hit so maybe those producers were right.
@navarone82 - Wait a minute. The producers didn't want the Cowsill kids because they couldn't act ... but Dad Cowsill was trying to get Mom Cowsill (who also couldn't act) on the show as the mother. That's what you're saying? Dad Cowsill was trying to get Mom Cowsill to play David Cassidy's mother? Too funny !!!
@57highland No. Susan stated it was a combination of the two factors (Bud turning down the show bc his "all or none" demand wasn't acceptable (the producers had already cast Shirley Jones) and the producers deciding against even using the Cowsill kids b/c they were nearly grown w/o any acting experience) that kept them from getting that show. Initially, they were interested in casting the kids, but changed their minds. It was a MUTUAL decision: both sides said no.
@navarone82 - If the producers were the first party to say "no", where did that leave any room for Bud to demand anything? Didn't Bud say no first? Wasn't the first "no" the beginning of the end? The deal-breaker?
@57highland Most negotiations start off with both sides putting forth their demands and both initially replying: NO WAY! If the two sides can compromise then that changes things. Likewise, things can fall apart with both sides still yelling NO at one another. The later happened here. The bottomline is that a short-lived pop group didn't get a sitcom. If people want to blame one party more than the other for that fact then go for it, but the Cowsills themselves disagree with that narrative.
@navarone82 - No blame. But, judging from the Cowsills' TV appearances & performances, they were tailor-made for a TV show of their own, yet they said no to it and consequently slipped into oblivion. David Cassidy became a teen idol through that show; there's no debating that. And Susan Dey got an acting career out of it. And it seems that Susan Cowsill would have out-shone "Tracy Partridge" by a country mile.
@navarone82 - And if people tend to blame, they might be remembering the story of the Beach Boys' father (they were lucky enough to be old enough to fire him) and now, so we hear, the Jacksons' father.
this family was/is truly amazing, Paul himself said that education/school wasn't a mandatory event for them. Yet they learned to read music and play instruments which to me is alot more amazing than most people would think. good music good memories.
Says a lot about American tastes and intelligence when they think the Partridge family is so good but yet most don't know the Cowsills. Here was a seriously talented family band that put most family bands to shame. And that even includes the jackson 5. The only group that I would consider in the same league would be the Osmonds and The Rankins
@peterdaniel66 I didn't know 'cause the damn DJs wouldn't announce that it was them. I didn't get Teen Beat magazines or see The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967 when I was 7, so I was in the dark, omg!
@peterdaniel66 You're kind of hit and miss there with your praises and put downs. How do you come about with your kind of criteria where the Jackson 5 would be put to shame by The Cowsills? They were both absolutely fantastic bands, each offering and catering differently.
@peterdaniel66 better than the j-5 ? lol lol lol that was worth a good laugh..get serious the cowsills were talented but let's not get crazy they couldn't carry the Jackson's equipment for them... but then the j-5 were one of the most talented bands (not just family bands, but all bands)..
@peterdaniel66 u do realize that they tried to get the Cowsills for the TV show but they didn't want the Mother so the whole family refused,I admire that!
@MrAngates It is all a matter of opinion, of course. I happen to think the Cowsills were more talented than the Jackson 5 but again, it is more my style of music that I like.
The Cowsills did play instruments and sing themsleves and every good at it. The majority of their careers were done live. What we see on Youtube today are the lipsych versions that remain recorded with TV shows.A very talented band that never got their due.
It sucks that they aren't as well remembered as the manufactured Patridges. The sad thing is that they almost were the Partrige Family. The only thing that stood in the way was the fact that the producers wanted Shirley Jones and not their mother. They should be commended for standing for a principal.
@Sargebri - Yes, but look how David Cassidy's career took off, followed by his brother Shawn, who wasn't even on the show. Those 3 or 4 Partridge Family hits would have been Cowsill hits.
A really good rehearsed TV scene. Some shots of Susan candid which is pretty cute and the whole presentation is well done. The Cowsills were under estimated in music history.
Can you feel it? I've discovered more of The Cowsils on Youtube then the obvious songs. This is IMO their best. The youngest (Susan?) She was rockin it wasn't she? She did great harmony, stage presence i thought.
correction. shirley was hot as hell. well, john cowsill is a lot better looking than danny bonaduce. and although bob is not as good looking as david cassidy the rest of the family would have been better, especially susan. that moron sherwood schwartz should have used the reaL COWSILLS INSTEAD OF THE guy he picked for the partridges
What does it matter how they look?? I don't think the ones selected to portray the Partridges were all that attractive, were they?? Look at Danny, and the two younger kids. But they did it and that is what matter in both cases. Accept them for who and what they represented.
BURNT ORANGE on mom. OUCH! my eyes hurt. love the lunch box on the kitchen table. and dude, you looked like you were humping air. camera had to zoom in for a closeup to get out of that one. oh my!
The mother looks like she doesn't belong at all. It's no wonder because she really doesn't have any stage presence. I just saw the Cowsills in NYC and they said that although Screen Gems liked their music, Susan was really the only one they were interested in. They (the suits from Screen Gems...including a 23 year old Michael Eisner who went to visit them in their home) decided to opt for real actors for the Partridge Family.
I love the idea and it makes that dynamic even more unique because it works. What do suits know? They didn't think of the idea, they had to fabricate a fictional one after the actual family.
John Cowsill sang lead on this song, and he is still alive. I believe he still tours as part of the Beach Boys' touring band. However, the usual lead singers were Bob and Billy with Bob still alive and well, but Billy dying 2006.
We lost Barry to Hurricane Katrina, and we lost Billy to drugs & hard living, but the others soldier on. Success and adoration followed by bankruptcy and obscurity... not an easy way to grow up. I agree with the others here; it is astounding how well they can all sing. The mom had a beautiful voice; she wasn't just there for effect.
my god NICE BOOTS at :21. the BURNT ORANGE pant suit at :45 my eyes STILL hurt. the dude humping air at 1:17. and eddie munster on tambourine!
Mom must have sucked serious d!ck because I cant imagine 6 kids (the unseen brother is missing) coming out of someone so MANLY looking unless there was some other reward in there wow
"Silver Threads and Golden Needles" was the last of The Cowsills' eight 1967-9 hits, first charting 10/11/69 and peaking at #74 nationally over a seven-week run. More interesting was the flip side: The Cowsills' superb recording of the theme from the TV series "Love American Style." Their version was heard over the opening credits originally but was eventually replaced by a second version by studio singers -- simply to avoid paying The Cowsills performance royalties!
That was a drag. Yes the Tube Tunes CD that contains the Cowsills' Love American Style mentioned that this was the flip side song. I wanted to hear it as I never had. Great stuff. Thanks.
This reminds me of "The Emperor's New Clothes." Didn't anybody notice that the drummer kid who sings lead in this CANNOT SING? I know that I've heard some decent Cowsills songs, like Indian Lake, but they must have put a cork in this kid's mouth because he is awful.
Check out the video clip 'John Cowsill: a Taste of RI 2000', John sings the Roy Orbison song 'Crying' and plays the drums at the same time. His voice is really good, it's an amazing live performance.
The Cowsills are for real..Every member was blessed genetically with a gift for harmony .......set aside hard rock ..RB country and progressive ...what is left is good songs with great vocals and lyrics....George Martin producer of the Beatles.....would have had a field day with them.....remmember..Hair?
Susan Cowsill is alive and well living in New Orleans ...very creative...and once in a while preforms with her brothers in pubs,and concerts....she has a good life...If you heard her song Drunken Angels ..you would see her in a new light. .....progressive.FORSYTHIA 77 sounds like you are my age 53....
yes I am 53 too I live in Britain-The Cowsills were never big over here but I remember their great version of "Hair"-probably the best I have ever heard -they should do a reunion concert-donna
odonna 17...yes Hair was there best,but if you are 53 ,and grew up in Britain....you where in the nest of what was the best of rock and roll ...The Beatles and the Stones...and so many other UK groups that invaded America in the 60s Renaissance will always be a unique favorite of mine.......Ohio
Oh please! Nothing against the Stones and Beatles per se'.....but all the British groups did was make a career out of ripping off black American blues players..and spoon feeding it back to the white kids in the States who were forbidden by their racists parents to listen to "race" music. LOL!
Such a wonderful and talented family. Love love love the way John sings this and watching Susan rock out is awesome!!!
caligirl2689sosanfra 3 days ago
save that luch box if u have it,with the thermos is more valuable
Syzygy60 1 week ago
Linda Ronstat had a hit with this song
Syzygy60 1 week ago
God they were great! And I had that exact lunch box
GroovyPKP 3 weeks ago
Didn't these guys do a milk commercial back then? Be good to see that too.
highwayhooker1 1 month ago in playlist Hazzard Ayre
awesome band... why can we see this type of bands anymore?
FDNJFAMILY 2 months ago
Oh wow I never heard this rendition. So wild.
UglySean 2 months ago
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I didn't mean to call u stupid,I meant u lacked the intelligengece to make an imformed desicision
Syzygy60 2 months ago
That's a killer beat that they use right from the opening. Really great!
Txboy85A 3 months ago
See that? Susan has no problem staying on the beat with the tambourine but Paul seems totally bewildered on the Merv Griffin show when he's on the spot for it, it's funny, here he's clapping on beat, no problem. ?????
Khultan 3 months ago
sry i was being silly
Syzygy60 3 months ago
@humblepiebrianblair The episode with The Cowsills aired November 17, 1969 according to IMDB.
Brdj010 3 months ago
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ur just stupid
Syzygy60 5 months ago
That's one stupid video. Did they need the money?
a376361b 5 months ago
@a376361b It was to capture the whole family band thing
isightmusic 4 months ago
I don't see it
Syzygy60 5 months ago
Am I the only one who feels Susan at a young age resembles Karen Carpenter? (qua appearence, I mean)
Frutteldier 6 months ago
@Frutteldier Yes....you ARE the only one.
atomic3939 3 months ago
The Cowsills 2011 on tour; July 26 Mohegan Sun Casino Uncasville CT; July 27 BB Kings Blues Club & Grill New York NY; September 4 The Cannery Casino Las Vegas NV
rocmaven 6 months ago
mrs cowsill - so manly in that ORANGE pantsuit - wow
ivegotalongdong 6 months ago
Who actually thought that this was a representation of this group and what they could do. Good song. Very, very bad presentation.
unclebobunclebob 7 months ago
Having mostly been familiar with "The Park, The Rain and Other Things" and "Hair" I was really quite shocked at the bridge between 1:38 and 2:25. That teenybop band could actually rock out when they wanted to.
thatmuse76 8 months ago
"Newspaper blanket"
"Newspaper blanket"
"Newspaper blanket"
"Newspaper blanket"
jaakriaj 8 months ago
@jaakriaj omg newspaper blanket!...TY for digging that song name out of the depths of my brains past.... terrific song!
leonakita 8 months ago
@jaakriaj wth cant i find it?.. no uploads of NEWSPAPER BLANKET??..SOMEONE FIX THIS !
leonakita 8 months ago
The Partridge Family was based on the Cowsills. They were meant to star in their own sitcom but it all fell through so the Partridge Family was made instead.
Key300 10 months ago
One of the older brothers died tragically,look it up.
HattieLovesCattie 10 months ago
@HattieLovesCattie ,yeap,it was,Berry.
OZ238 8 months ago
is funny I called them kids,I am Susan's age lol
Syzygy60 10 months ago
this song is as good as the jackson's these kids all play there parts
Syzygy60 10 months ago
I think that one guy needs a breathing coach
Syzygy60 10 months ago
Justin Bieber ripped off his hair do...Sills were a great group
homemoviescolorado 11 months ago
@homemoviescolorado No JB fan but its not a ripoff to have what everyone (me included) had at a point in time.
My parents actually encouraged long hair. I could'nt wait to get out on my own for a princeton cut, big ears be damned.
alpha18412 10 months ago
@alpha18412 Believe me..I had the same do in the day
homemoviescolorado 10 months ago
@homemoviescolorado I still can't talk about what I was made to do on Bicenntenial Day, 1976. Lets just say it involved ruffled shirtfronts and buckle shoes.
alpha18412 10 months ago
Talent is giving by GOD and glory should be given to him.
BoyJewish 11 months ago 2
take that Linda Ronstatt she's becoming a pain in our Freedoms ass lately
Syzygy60 11 months ago
turns out i get my musical side from my mom she likes what I like who'd knew
Syzygy60 11 months ago
I knew they were good and I made a pont of asking my mom if we can watch the Cowsills,back then we had 1 TV and no DVR
Syzygy60 11 months ago
back then credibilty meant something
Syzygy60 11 months ago
Saw them in concert during this period of time. The REAL Partridge Family!
LuvIzAhl 11 months ago
Lunch Pails, cool. I really liked this band,
rgarcia77 1 year ago
had this on 45 back in the day- green and gold MGM label-
this one didn't score on the charts as much- but it really shows their talents here in this video- very nice.
harponercam 1 year ago
incredible harmonies!
Dukeoftruth 1 year ago
Thanks for the upload. Great clip and great memories. Anyone who hasn`t checked out Susan Cowsills solo music should give it a go. She`s a fabulous singer songwriter.
Tony
Mouldytone 1 year ago
they went bankrupt big time
atfatw 1 year ago
0:54 the kid shooting pool blows his nose & wipes his hand on his shirt!
punkrockefeller 1 year ago
@punkrockefeller
it's a celebration gesture, lol
beastman5566 1 year ago
the Cowsills are indeed good, but then none of you have ever heard of yet another version of this song. Try doing a search on this:
The Crescendos (Singapore) - Silver Threads & Golden Needles
bluecool402002 1 year ago
teach that guy how to breath,he'll be a star!
Syzygy60 1 year ago
They were very talented
bofts 1 year ago
Thanks peterdaniel66 about American tastes and intelligence. I agree with you.
ziggycat999 1 year ago
the only girls in the famous family where Susan cowsill Marie Osmond and Mary Crosby and they all did great things and there still in the business still but
the cowsills where the frist family of music,
catmarilyn9 1 year ago
the only girls in the famous family where Susan cowsill Marie Osmond and Mary Crosby and they all did great things and there still in the business still but
the cowsills where the frist family of music and will always be
catmarilyn9 1 year ago
Unfortunately, the Cowsills were considered Aesthetically incompatible with the TV cameras, that is why they did not portray themselves on The Partridge Family. In simple language, the producers thought they were too ugly for television. Nothing what so ever to do with their God given talents.... true story!
rtan723 1 year ago
@rtan723 There are several stories on why the Cowsills acutally didn't get their own TV series or put in the Partridge Family. One story had the producers saying only Susan was suitable, others said that the Cowsills balked when whey wanted to replace Barbara with Shirley Jones, and another, on a "Behind the Music-Partridge Family", one of the Cowsills said they they were too old to say lines like "Can I borrow the keys to the car"?
jbird11368 1 year ago
Wasn't the Cowsills the inspiration for the Partridge Family?
ebf1957 1 year ago
Now that Youtube allows higher quality video, PLEASE REPOST in HD!
Venling 1 year ago
Cute little Bieber lookalikes. (a la Donny Osmond, too.)
ThePoetrygrl 1 year ago
they wanted to do harder music but weren't allowed to do so. well not hard rock but I am sure anyone with a brain understands what I mean.
denniswilsonfan 1 year ago
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F.Y.I. I This set was often used for Music Scene ran from September 22, 1969 to January 12, 1970 on ABC (see Music Scene Show Opening (1969) )
Other groups using the set:
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Down on the corner 1969
Sly and the Family stone: Stage is used by audience at 1:23 and 7:30
THE MUSIC SCENE SINGERS-SUGAR SUGAR,LIVE IN 1969
Creedence Clearwater Revival - The Night Time Is The Right Time
Neil Young-Down by the river (1969)
scottmonfort 1 year ago
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scottmonfort 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
F.Y.I. I This set was often used for Music Scene ran from September 22, 1969 to January 12, 1970 on ABC (see Music Scene Show Opening (1969) )
Other groups using the set:
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Down on the corner 1969
Sly and the Family stone: Stage is used by audience at 1:23 and 7:30
THE MUSIC SCENE SINGERS-SUGAR SUGAR,LIVE IN 1969
Creedence Clearwater Revival - The Night Time Is The Right Time
Neil Young-Down by the river (1969)
scottmonfort 1 year ago 2
Nailed it!
ModGirl1967 1 year ago
i wish kids nowadays would put down guitar hero and pick up a real guitar.
fiveslots 1 year ago
@humblepiebrianblair Music Scene ran from September 22, 1969 to January 12, 1970 on ABC so I'm guessing this is from 1969. That also matches up with the fact that Silver Needles/Love American Style hit the charts at #74 in 1969.
jimraw1 1 year ago
I've alway's liked the Cowsills...but back in the day,,they were not considered a huge talent relative to the top bands...but relative to the crap these day's,,I can't think of a top act that compare's. I still have the "rain,park ect.." and "hair" records I bought when they came out. They were considered "bubble gum"...but the best damn "bubble gum" ever!!..partrige,,jackson's..osmonds.....sorry...but they got "worked" by the Cowsills!!
pakee64 1 year ago 2
OH, YEAH!!! ThX ye! ThX ye!!
Licmycat 1 year ago
I saw this original broadcastt
Syzygy60 1 year ago
don't label me,I knew who the cowsills ARE
Syzygy60 1 year ago
talent seems to bring out critics who know little or nothing
Syzygy60 1 year ago
the talent is obvious
Syzygy60 1 year ago
They were better than the Osmonds. They were tight instrumentally. Tighter than most back then. When it comes to the Partridge family, David Cassidy was the only one with talent. Though if I saw them play I couldn't take my eyes off of Susan Dey. Bit of trivia here . . . did you know that Stephen Stills of Crosby, Pills and Hash showed up to audition for a chance become one of the Monkees? No joke! They turned him down because of his receding hairline. Thought it wouldn't appeal to the tweens.
pmoyer50 1 year ago
@pmoyer50 and still teeth. steve did not have television teeth.
rjpancerniCAUSA 1 year ago
To tomk773, I don't like your comment about their mom. She was a very beautiful woman who produced some handsom men and a very beautiful daughter. By that alone she contributed to the world, what about you!? Not only that, she was a singer and a performer. And very good at that.
dakotasky300 1 year ago 2
Until now, I'd never heard a lousy version of this great song. Now I have. Ugh.
darkstar4589 1 year ago
Christians
tomk773 1 year ago
Firstly, the mom looked like a bulldyke (in truth she was a battered wife), the kid's music/lyrics were out-of-step w/the times & they were religious zealouts -need i say more..?
tomk773 1 year ago
@tomk773 I didn't know they were religious zealots....what religion were they?
atomic3939 1 year ago
@atomic3939 They were/are Catholic. And they were NOT religious zealots. Their hit songs are completly secular and their performances and interviews gave no hint of proselytizing. If they're were trying to propegate the faith then they weren't very good at it.
mkeogh76 1 year ago
@tomk773 It seems a lot of those family bands were religious. The Osmonds were Mormon.
Born2bRedeemed 1 year ago
@Born2bRedeemed or morons!!!!! Go Buddhismism!!!!!!
atfatw 1 year ago
There's got to be more videos from other countries that they performed in. I can't believe just only in the U.S. Come on, people, share : )
Khultan 1 year ago
FARGINGROOVIN'
Thick08 1 year ago
The Partridge family was based on this and it was offered to the Cowsills and they rejected it..
Veekator 1 year ago 5
@Veekator
They turned it down because the mom would have been replaced by Shirley Jones (who got the job anyway), and they said, "All the Cowsills or no Cowsills".
53Topanga 1 year ago 7
@ 53Topanga, You are so right. I remember watching them as kid and Flower Girl was sooo big..lol We used to watch Ed Sullivan, the Smother Bros and J Cash to watch groups back then.
Veekator 1 year ago
It was a mutual decision that kept The Cowsills from getting a TV show. Yes, their dad/manager was demanding that their mom be included, but TV execs had doubts about producing a show with a bunch of non-actors. Further, by the time the show was about to become a reality, the Cowsills were no longer cute little kids. Yes, Susan was still a kid, but the 2nd youngest John was already close to 6 ft tall by that time. So the producers nixed the idea of hiring the Cowsills.
navarone82 1 year ago
@navarone82 - Lots of music performers become actors, even if not very good actors. Were the eventual "Patridge Family" kids good actors? I don't think Susan Dey had even acted yet. She'd been a model. And didn't the show become a reality in the fall of 1970? So, John was 14 (and close to 6 feet tall?). David Cassidy was about 20 years old (playing something like 17 and looking 17 too).
57highland 1 year ago
@57highland I just wrote what Susan Cowsill stated in an interview. They didn't get a TV show because their dad wanted Mom in it and the producers didn't want a bunch of nearly grown teenagers who couldn't act. So they got some cute kid actors to pretend playing instruments while David Cassidy and Shirley Jones sang. The show did become a huge hit so maybe those producers were right.
navarone82 1 year ago
@navarone82 - Wait a minute. The producers didn't want the Cowsill kids because they couldn't act ... but Dad Cowsill was trying to get Mom Cowsill (who also couldn't act) on the show as the mother. That's what you're saying? Dad Cowsill was trying to get Mom Cowsill to play David Cassidy's mother? Too funny !!!
57highland 1 year ago
@57highland No. Susan stated it was a combination of the two factors (Bud turning down the show bc his "all or none" demand wasn't acceptable (the producers had already cast Shirley Jones) and the producers deciding against even using the Cowsill kids b/c they were nearly grown w/o any acting experience) that kept them from getting that show. Initially, they were interested in casting the kids, but changed their minds. It was a MUTUAL decision: both sides said no.
navarone82 1 year ago
@navarone82 - If the producers were the first party to say "no", where did that leave any room for Bud to demand anything? Didn't Bud say no first? Wasn't the first "no" the beginning of the end? The deal-breaker?
57highland 1 year ago
@57highland Most negotiations start off with both sides putting forth their demands and both initially replying: NO WAY! If the two sides can compromise then that changes things. Likewise, things can fall apart with both sides still yelling NO at one another. The later happened here. The bottomline is that a short-lived pop group didn't get a sitcom. If people want to blame one party more than the other for that fact then go for it, but the Cowsills themselves disagree with that narrative.
navarone82 1 year ago
@navarone82 - No blame. But, judging from the Cowsills' TV appearances & performances, they were tailor-made for a TV show of their own, yet they said no to it and consequently slipped into oblivion. David Cassidy became a teen idol through that show; there's no debating that. And Susan Dey got an acting career out of it. And it seems that Susan Cowsill would have out-shone "Tracy Partridge" by a country mile.
57highland 1 year ago
@navarone82 - And if people tend to blame, they might be remembering the story of the Beach Boys' father (they were lucky enough to be old enough to fire him) and now, so we hear, the Jacksons' father.
57highland 1 year ago
That's right, the Cowsills set the stage for all family acts. A lot, in music today is owed to them.
dakotasky300 1 year ago
How darling is this?
petemclinc 2 years ago 2
this family was/is truly amazing, Paul himself said that education/school wasn't a mandatory event for them. Yet they learned to read music and play instruments which to me is alot more amazing than most people would think. good music good memories.
denniswilsonfan 2 years ago 2
Love this video. Instead of "The Cowsills", they should have been "Susan and the Cowsills".
dakotasky300 2 years ago
@dakotasky300 I agree. Susan, even at that young age, had that young age, had
that certian quality.
CadillacL 2 years ago
Paul eating! This is live isn't it? I like John's microphone stuck in the bunk beds. Those boys were all so fine looking!
sugarpoprocker 2 years ago 2
@sugarpoprocker Still are, and sweet as pie, too. :) We love 'em!
LibertyBelle1979 2 years ago
Says a lot about American tastes and intelligence when they think the Partridge family is so good but yet most don't know the Cowsills. Here was a seriously talented family band that put most family bands to shame. And that even includes the jackson 5. The only group that I would consider in the same league would be the Osmonds and The Rankins
peterdaniel66 2 years ago 26
@peterdaniel66 I didn't know 'cause the damn DJs wouldn't announce that it was them. I didn't get Teen Beat magazines or see The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967 when I was 7, so I was in the dark, omg!
xxxMrSuspendedxxx 1 year ago
@peterdaniel66 You're kind of hit and miss there with your praises and put downs. How do you come about with your kind of criteria where the Jackson 5 would be put to shame by The Cowsills? They were both absolutely fantastic bands, each offering and catering differently.
Khultan 1 year ago
@peterdaniel66 LOL! This cannot be a serious comment! The Jackson 5 could BURY the Cowsills ANYDAY.
atomic3939 11 months ago
@peterdaniel66 I agree fully!
JTPromotions 11 months ago
@peterdaniel66 better than the j-5 ? lol lol lol that was worth a good laugh..get serious the cowsills were talented but let's not get crazy they couldn't carry the Jackson's equipment for them... but then the j-5 were one of the most talented bands (not just family bands, but all bands)..
MOSKII58 9 months ago
@peterdaniel66 u do realize that they tried to get the Cowsills for the TV show but they didn't want the Mother so the whole family refused,I admire that!
Syzygy60 9 months ago
@peterdaniel66 i was with until you said that they would put the jackson 5 to shame. They were a good group but don't stupid on me.......
MrAngates 8 months ago
@MrAngates It is all a matter of opinion, of course. I happen to think the Cowsills were more talented than the Jackson 5 but again, it is more my style of music that I like.
WARDMAN3 7 months ago
@WARDMAN3 LOL! GOD....You make me spit up my coke when i read this! The Jacksons were in a MUCH higher league than the Cowsills.
atomic3939 3 months ago
The Cowsills did play instruments and sing themsleves and every good at it. The majority of their careers were done live. What we see on Youtube today are the lipsych versions that remain recorded with TV shows.A very talented band that never got their due.
ziggycat999 2 years ago 16
@ziggycat999 I've seen them sing live on tv and they are awesome!
rbd1025 7 months ago
wow. what a SPECtacularly nutty set!!! Kind of an
interesting arrangement, tho. They had some pretty cool harmonies.. could they ACTually play their own instruments ??It looks like it....
timjmoran 2 years ago 2
Yes, both the Cowsills and the Osmonds both played their own instruments. They were true family bands.
MyCelticHeaven 2 years ago
they went spactacularly bankrupt
atfatw 2 years ago
How come The Cowsills arent in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame??
trevor40 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The Mom looks like a man!
RMSBraves014 2 years ago
Wow while Skeeter Davis was converting Country to Rock the Cowsills were pulling it in from the other end. Rock to Country.
Wow no wonder Johnny Cash had them on his show....
Hippies move to the country.... Very Very cool...
trailboyus66 2 years ago
I don't want to take anything away from the brothers or the mother because I think they are very good but I don't think the
Cowsills would have been the Cowsills without little Susan out there in front.
dakotasky300 2 years ago
Their first big hit was before Susan joined.
atomic3939 2 years ago
Freakin Groovy
RMSBraves014 2 years ago 2
(1:39) Sounds like 'God rest you merry Gentleman'!) improvised.
datamatx 2 years ago
kinda weird to see the partridge family was based on this. has the same elements. just a cracked out go go dancing kid.
intheric 2 years ago
gay
FPUGUY 2 years ago
Such a talented family! It's easy to see why a hit tv show was created about them. Considering their true life story, a movie could be made as well.
MrBeenastar 2 years ago 2
I`ll``pay``to``see``that``movie!!!!
pakee64 2 years ago
0:55 blows nose in hand & wipes it on his sweater!
punkrockefeller 2 years ago
It sucks that they aren't as well remembered as the manufactured Patridges. The sad thing is that they almost were the Partrige Family. The only thing that stood in the way was the fact that the producers wanted Shirley Jones and not their mother. They should be commended for standing for a principal.
Sargebri 2 years ago
Yea...that``whole``partrige`family`thing``just``couldnt
suck``enough...the``only``one``with``talent``was``Jones
..but``you``could``never`hear``her....I``think``a``show
with``the``Cowsills``would``have``been``great``written
around``their``real``life``experience......I``guess``the
experts``know``better....and``so``we``got``partridge..
sheeeeesh!!!
pakee64 2 years ago
@Sargebri - Yes, but look how David Cassidy's career took off, followed by his brother Shawn, who wasn't even on the show. Those 3 or 4 Partridge Family hits would have been Cowsill hits.
57highland 1 year ago
Today's stupid music sucks. NO BRAINS,NO TALENT. ALL SEX APPEAL,SUPERFICIALITY.
ryohnthegymfan 2 years ago 3
Here, here!
*hands ryohnthegymfan a beer
GuanRy 2 years ago
Seemed funny that Susan couldn't play well w/the dolls but put a tamborine in her hand and she was counting down 4 and rocking out....
Alarmer68guns 2 years ago 3
A really good rehearsed TV scene. Some shots of Susan candid which is pretty cute and the whole presentation is well done. The Cowsills were under estimated in music history.
ziggycat999 2 years ago
they``were``underestimated.....BIG..TIME!!!!,,,But
not``by``me...
pakee64 2 years ago 2
Can you feel it? I've discovered more of The Cowsils on Youtube then the obvious songs. This is IMO their best. The youngest (Susan?) She was rockin it wasn't she? She did great harmony, stage presence i thought.
CadillacL 2 years ago
I can DIG IT!
fp11208 2 years ago
That orange woman was no Shirley Jones! I bet Playboy anint asking her to pose!
Shirley Jones is hot as hell!
robbatkinson666 2 years ago
correction. shirley was hot as hell. well, john cowsill is a lot better looking than danny bonaduce. and although bob is not as good looking as david cassidy the rest of the family would have been better, especially susan. that moron sherwood schwartz should have used the reaL COWSILLS INSTEAD OF THE guy he picked for the partridges
joeenglert 2 years ago
What does it matter how they look?? I don't think the ones selected to portray the Partridges were all that attractive, were they?? Look at Danny, and the two younger kids. But they did it and that is what matter in both cases. Accept them for who and what they represented.
Planktontwo 2 years ago
BURNT ORANGE on mom. OUCH! my eyes hurt. love the lunch box on the kitchen table. and dude, you looked like you were humping air. camera had to zoom in for a closeup to get out of that one. oh my!
madskyltd 2 years ago
Very ably performed. These people certainly had talent.
That said, given their rather "inbred", country look, you can see why they were seriously prettied up for The Partridge Family.
JekyllBoote 2 years ago
The mother looks like she doesn't belong at all. It's no wonder because she really doesn't have any stage presence. I just saw the Cowsills in NYC and they said that although Screen Gems liked their music, Susan was really the only one they were interested in. They (the suits from Screen Gems...including a 23 year old Michael Eisner who went to visit them in their home) decided to opt for real actors for the Partridge Family.
Drillin4Oil 2 years ago
I love the idea and it makes that dynamic even more unique because it works. What do suits know? They didn't think of the idea, they had to fabricate a fictional one after the actual family.
MindRises 2 years ago
For some reason I favor this one to the one they actually recorded on the CD...
They did really well live! X3
rosemorningangel 2 years ago
Great under-rated group!!
trevor40 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i'd do her...now
Syzygy60 2 years ago
Susan was such a cute little kid.
yobonab 2 years ago 7
I know that some of them are deceased- is the singer still alive? He has a very good voice -donna
odonna17 3 years ago 2
John Cowsill sang lead on this song, and he is still alive. I believe he still tours as part of the Beach Boys' touring band. However, the usual lead singers were Bob and Billy with Bob still alive and well, but Billy dying 2006.
mkeogh76 2 years ago 2
Billy was in a great Country Rock band called "The Blue Shadows".
They put out two critically acclaimed albums in Canada.
Videos from these albums on YouTube now.
jedbundy 2 years ago 2
I thought I'd seen all of their performances. This is so cute. I used to love it when they did it in concert.
SomethngBoutMary 3 years ago 2
0:55 blows nose & wipes it on his sweater! 1:50 acid rock guitar solo minus the fuzz box!
punkrockefeller 3 years ago
not unusual we are same age
Syzygy60 3 years ago
I like the little girl
Syzygy60 3 years ago
They were the inspiration for The Partridge Family.
ChinkyTwinkyDC 3 years ago
Does anyone know where the entire special can be found? I am amazed at the quality too.
thanks
ndagen 3 years ago
Awesome old stuff!
orbital151 3 years ago
0:55 blows his nose & wipes on his sweater! u sure these aren't the osmonds?
punkrockefeller 3 years ago
We lost Barry to Hurricane Katrina, and we lost Billy to drugs & hard living, but the others soldier on. Success and adoration followed by bankruptcy and obscurity... not an easy way to grow up. I agree with the others here; it is astounding how well they can all sing. The mom had a beautiful voice; she wasn't just there for effect.
buzzaki 3 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
my god NICE BOOTS at :21. the BURNT ORANGE pant suit at :45 my eyes STILL hurt. the dude humping air at 1:17. and eddie munster on tambourine!
Mom must have sucked serious d!ck because I cant imagine 6 kids (the unseen brother is missing) coming out of someone so MANLY looking unless there was some other reward in there wow
ivegotalongdong 3 years ago
"Silver Threads and Golden Needles" was the last of The Cowsills' eight 1967-9 hits, first charting 10/11/69 and peaking at #74 nationally over a seven-week run. More interesting was the flip side: The Cowsills' superb recording of the theme from the TV series "Love American Style." Their version was heard over the opening credits originally but was eventually replaced by a second version by studio singers -- simply to avoid paying The Cowsills performance royalties!
horarwgt 3 years ago
That was a drag. Yes the Tube Tunes CD that contains the Cowsills' Love American Style mentioned that this was the flip side song. I wanted to hear it as I never had. Great stuff. Thanks.
UglySean 3 years ago
This reminds me of "The Emperor's New Clothes." Didn't anybody notice that the drummer kid who sings lead in this CANNOT SING? I know that I've heard some decent Cowsills songs, like Indian Lake, but they must have put a cork in this kid's mouth because he is awful.
rippedwrangler 3 years ago
I think John has a good voice, he just sounds a bit strained, he was probably a little nervous here.
forsythia77 3 years ago
Check out the video clip 'John Cowsill: a Taste of RI 2000', John sings the Roy Orbison song 'Crying' and plays the drums at the same time. His voice is really good, it's an amazing live performance.
forsythia77 3 years ago
The Cowsills are for real..Every member was blessed genetically with a gift for harmony .......set aside hard rock ..RB country and progressive ...what is left is good songs with great vocals and lyrics....George Martin producer of the Beatles.....would have had a field day with them.....remmember..Hair?
marksheetz 3 years ago
The Cowsills really were/are incredibly talented, they all have great voices.
forsythia77 3 years ago
Susan Cowsill is alive and well living in New Orleans ...very creative...and once in a while preforms with her brothers in pubs,and concerts....she has a good life...If you heard her song Drunken Angels ..you would see her in a new light. .....progressive.FORSYTHIA 77 sounds like you are my age 53....
marksheetz 3 years ago
yes I am 53 too I live in Britain-The Cowsills were never big over here but I remember their great version of "Hair"-probably the best I have ever heard -they should do a reunion concert-donna
odonna17 3 years ago
odonna 17...yes Hair was there best,but if you are 53 ,and grew up in Britain....you where in the nest of what was the best of rock and roll ...The Beatles and the Stones...and so many other UK groups that invaded America in the 60s Renaissance will always be a unique favorite of mine.......Ohio
marksheetz 3 years ago
Oh please! Nothing against the Stones and Beatles per se'.....but all the British groups did was make a career out of ripping off black American blues players..and spoon feeding it back to the white kids in the States who were forbidden by their racists parents to listen to "race" music. LOL!
atomic3939 2 years ago
Comment removed
rosemorningangel 2 years ago
But...the Cowsills were from Rhode Island... o,o;
rosemorningangel 2 years ago