A conversation with Paul and John Cowsill

[@superdill6665]

This family is the perfect example of still waters running deep. Can you imagine having to go out and perform with those mega-watt smiles and God-gifted talent? Standing on a stage with people screaming your name, doing anything just to see you? And then having to be jerked out of that facade show case back to your private reality of Hell on Earth? That would take an unimaginable amount of strength. I'm grateful for them that they had each other, and made it through that darkness that only real monsters can create. I can remember being in my room, putting their Live album on my stereo and dancing and singing along knowing every lyric. It almost makes me feel guilty that I got so much joy listening to their music and now knowing that those happy Cowsill faces were hiding so much pain and grief. What a testament to the human spirit this family is. God bless and thank you for posting more insight and interviews.

[@louisepalanker]

Thank you, Cathy. You are a beautiful writer.

[@barbaramiller349]

Such a sad childhood. It’s amazing that they are such good people and survivors.

[@ricardosierra-show4855]

I love The Cowsills, they are really admirable and they entertain me singing and with their interesting and entertaining talks, they are unique, humble and great artists.

[@Dana-wq5tp]

Considering that child abuse often does get repeated in successive generations, it's a testament to the decency of this family and their awareness and insight into what that kind of abuse does to a person. Their children were the lucky ones because I have no doubt they were deeply loved growing up.

[@louisepalanker]

Oh, yes!

[@allkindsamusicchick]

Aww..I love this! Thank you!! Just found this clip. How fitting as I just dragged my Cowsill Scrapbook down from the attic a few hours ago! 51 years later...I'm still in love! Always wishing them everything good!!

[@kimworkman2425]

I love that Paul and John figured out they were ok and their dad was wrong

[@louisepalanker]

Yep!

[@creedamiyahsnipp]

I'm like Paul. Ruthless truther. Forgiveness is healing, though. John is so open, too. Been a fan since '69. So wish so much harm hadn't been inflicted upon all that wonderful harmony. God bless and ❤ thanks, Cowsills! All the best and RIP to the ones who have passed. Thank you, Louise! Appreciate you as well!

[@louisepalanker]

Very beautifully said.

[@lindyfrank5342]

I love John...he is so laid back and honest...Paul is brutally honest...

[@jlbaker2000]

Never bored by their conversations.

[@brianbaxter3913]

Always loved the Cowsills. Rain and the Park and Other Things is my favorite and could never get enough of it when it came out and even now will play it several time when I see it on KZbin. Listening to John and Paul I can really relate to them. Much of what they said brought back memories of my childhood only it my mother not my father that was the mean one. When Paul said that when their parents went out they prayed they would not come back well I did the same thing. But like these guys I turned out ok despite all the crap I had to endure.

[@louisepalanker]

Oh, I'm just so sorry about that. 😟

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

Thanks Louise I really enjoyed this. Ive always enjoyed your videos with the Cowsill Family. Tell John & Paul "Thanks"

[@grandyabbo]

Thank you Louise for posting this! Paul and John are awesome and I could literally listen the them (and Bob & Susan) for hours. Please post more unseen footage. :-)

[@virginiawalters6174]

Yes please

[@louisepalanker]

I am working on that. I have a ton.

[@grandyabbo]

@@louisepalanker Wonderful! Looking forward to it. You're the best!

[@janetmavis6796]

I just went to Utube and this came up I have seen bits of this so amazing I can listen to this all day long

[@georgelong9927]

My Dad same. father of 5 boys and 1 Girl, John Wayne Long. Catholic raised,Hated Guns, Motor Cycles, Was tuff as Nails being a Father, Marine in 1954 ,Korean Conflict. Made you fear God if he just looked at you in his face.Not physically, Must of been their generation. He was born 1936. He gave me a good work ethic but my children tell me I'm a push over, loving Dad. I relate. Your Family is fascinating. Thanks for Sharing

[@micjam1986]

These guys are great! I'm glad they have each other to share their past .. the good and bad. Ty for posting 👍

[@louisepalanker]

Thank you for your comment!

[@pamburkey6252]

All I have to say is Vicki Peterson is a lucky lady! 🙂

[@rgwinslow]

When I see things like this, including Family Band, I am young again as when I first discovered them on Happening '68 or The Happening. It was a video of We Can Fly, and I fell in love. (Yes, a pre-MTV video.) I am 13 or 14 again when I see them, even as adults. This was my music; not my brother's Elvis, not my sister's Brenda Lee, all of which I loved, but the Cowsills were mine, not their's.

[@louisepalanker]

I totally get it.

[@cwilson6990]

Hey Louise I never get tired of this & watching The Family Band ! John Paul love how talk bout Thier kids 💞 got to see John with Beach Boys last February here in Nashville went Both nights ! before had to stop tour due to Covid John is The Backbone Mike Loves Beach Boys period ! take care Louise Cathy 🙂

[@AnnaPaul56]

Thank you, just thank you so very much for all your videos. The Cowsills were my favorite back in the day.

[@laurafoote214]

i love John's laughter, so cute!

[@kuriaki71]

There should be a Cowsills movie.

[@louisepalanker]

Well, there's a documentary. : )

[@kuriaki71]

@@louisepalanker loved your documentary.

[@louisepalanker]

@@kuriaki71 Thank you so much, Mark!

[@BarrySmith70]

I wonder if John and Paul ever met the other John and Paul of the music world. They are all 60s legends

[@louisepalanker]

I don't believe so but perhaps!

[@BreakAwayFromUK]

There were so many great bands in the 60's and 70's they were competing with and of course the Vietnam war and LSD.

[@anitabowden5803]

Much love sent to you both.

[@wonderwhat4]

Wow. Awesome to watch them interacting. I got so engrossed in it. I really like this family. They are so animated when they talk. Love the Cowsills. I'm glad they said something that I liked about their mother. Up till now I had a certain picture of her in my head but now it's changed for the better. They're a real family. Strong bonds.

[@louisepalanker]

Yes they are!

[@Makeitliquidfast]

They had a chemistry for music no matter the ingredients.

[@louisepalanker]

Absolutely.

[@jrzerelocatedpatriots3862]

Your Mom was an enabler. Just like mine. I know the life you led at home with a fascist father. Everyone in my family are dysfunctional except my baby sister. We were older then and protected her. God Bless the Cowsill family

[@louisepalanker]

Oh, wow. God Bless you!

[@BreakAwayFromUK]

I can see a Rick Springfield resemblance.

[@Ron-Usmc-Vietnam]

So much Cowsills material to go through and I'm loving every minute of it! Thank you for inviting me Louise! ♥♥♥

[@louisepalanker]

Happy to have you here!

[@producehelleugenefalkner6948]

their mom, the incredibly beautiful BARBARA CLAIRE is forever loved by me.

[@duchessstudioband7896]

For someone who was raised in New England, the Cowsills we're pretty big. I remember them well. Sad to say, my Dad was a bit like their Dad. Only difference was he was on a business trips alot, so we didn't get a lot of the grief, and abuse. My dad wasn't a womanizer, but, he was difficult to live with. When he came home, we would all scatter and make ourselves rare. I really understand what they were saying.

[@louisepalanker]

Oh, I’m so sorry.

[@ricardosierra-show4855]

Me encantan The Cowsills, realmente admirables y me entretienen cantando y con sus charlas tan interesantes y amenas, son unicos.

[@louisepalanker]

Si!

[@LarryKelly]

I’d wish there were more of these two..

[@rubywingo6030]

Why didn’t their mom get them out? She had the resources and support! Sad what the wrong man can do…

[@nikkibest5010]

They are still so cute.

[@louisepalanker]

They are.

[@islandhorizonvideos8230]

I can totally relate to the whole father, who is a total alcoholic and abusive thing that they have gone through. My dad was a sheriff and as a child, they used to pray that he wouldn’t make it back.

[@louisepalanker]

Oh, my goodness. I'm so sorry.

[@islandhorizonvideos8230]

@@louisepalanker you think that's bad as an adult I ran the family business here in Hawaii for 15 years quite successfully with the promise of passing it on to me and my kids. Instead my parents sold it off and left the island. Of my brothers and my sister, I'm the only one with out a drink or drug problem. which is something I've luckily passed onto my kids. In a way I'm glad I wasn't given the business because I'd have to pay him till he leaves the planet. Their mother was alot like mine, just allowing the abuse to happen. but my father never beat my mom.

[@louisepalanker]

Oh, wow. What a story. You were bound to succeed whatever your circumstances.@@islandhorizonvideos8230

[@BreakAwayFromUK]

You had the establishment against the anti -establishment.

[@SQDLVR]

It would be so nice if John would join the family sometimes to play together. I'm glad they all turned out ok besides living with that monster they called father.

[@louisepalanker]

John does join his family when their paths intersect.

[@rhostatton8944]

bob c was a cruel task master...Kudos to the brothers for saying sane under those conditions

[@morganwright224]

Bud?

[@1401minstrel]

The father was Bud. Bob was one of the Cowsill children.

[@Cathy-xi8cb]

Expecting an abuser to admit their actions is rookie stuff. That happens in so few situations. They have their siblings to validate their childhood experiences, and that will have to be what they get back. Paul is right: we all think you guys are terrific, and your parents were full of @#$%. Both of them. Listen to us. You are amazing people.

[@patlarimore6960]

If Bud was the alcoholic people claimed him to be, I wonder if he really remembered some of his actions if he was drunk at those times. Not an excuse, but could possibly explain some of his denial. Either way, no child should have to endure that kind of abuse.

[@cwilson6990]

Love This 😊 John Paul so darn Funny John BS Meal Dad No news good news 🤣

[@louisepalanker]

Two of the funniest people I know.

[@cwilson6990]

😊 I'm not surprised at all 😊

[@tubekook55]

Thank you to Louise Palanker for the clips and for "Family Band". The Cowsill saga is such an incredible story of resilience and love among the siblings. As Tolstoy begins Anna Karenina, "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way", but there is a similarity in the children of families that endure violence and emotional abuse, particularly when both parents are a part of it. The Cowsills, even those now gone, always show such affection for each other, and such joy when they perform together. (The clip of "Going Home"!!) Such great spirit and talent. They are an inspiration to someone who shares a somewhat similar past. Thank you again.

[@louisepalanker]

Wow. Thank you for this comment. They are indeed.

[@tubekook55]

​@@louisepalanker Sometimes I wonder what they might have done if allowed to do more of their own music from the start, like they wanted. It probably would have been really good for them, especially Bill. But still, as it is they have brought so much happiness, and continue to do so. Thank you again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2PXlJyZr81-eac

[@iowa61]

How the hell did they survive to become the people they are?

[@louisepalanker]

I think they had each other and Paul's belief is that their dad telling them that they were idiots was countered by fans telling them they are wonderful. It helped a lot.

[@melanieobremki4876]

Is John as funny/charming as he seems? 😂

[@louisepalanker]

Definitely. One of the funniest people I know.

[@BreakAwayFromUK]

Weird their Dad was in the navy where big guns are used 😆 I swear their Dad could be my mother she hates guns and motorcycle yet she married our Dad who was a biker chopper's and all rode even with the hell's angels but forbid me to ride a motorcycle even as our Dad bought me and my brothers dirt bikes she said get rid of them 😢

[@drkatel]

Cool, Weezy. Thanks for posting. Man, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that this was filmed 15 years ago. Yikes!

[@louisepalanker]

I am with you on that. It feels completely weird. Good thing we are not aging!

[@drkatel]

Lol. It’s true that 𝚈𝙾𝚄 aren’t aging. I’ve aged more in the past year than in the whole decade prior. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

[@louisepalanker]

@@drkatel You will rejuvenate post pandemic, I am certain!

[@camdengrl]

@@louisepalanker we want more Louise!!

[@fillhixx]

Brothers do things to each other than strangers go to prison for.....and laugh about it.

[@sharifrey6713]

Ive noticed not only in this family but other people I know they will refer to the abusive parent by their first name. Only occasionally calling them "Dad"

[@louisepalanker]

You're right. That's interesting and understandable.

[@aussie8114]

Maybe I’m wrong but it sounds like the old man got off far too lightly later in life. I wonder if he ever apologised to the kids. I suspect not.

[@CassieDavis613]

Louise, Bill had a gap in his front teeth. Which other brother had the gap? I love your documentary about them. They are still so damn good.

[@louisepalanker]

Thank you so much, Cassie! Bob has a small gap.

[@jlbaker2000]

Is John too busy to work with the others on projects? I thought he ended his gig with the Beach Boys.

[@louisepalanker]

That would be a good question to ask them.

[@rhostatton8944]

Cream 0 Cod....yummmm

[@saintjosephterrorofdemonsp6132]

Dear Readers and Coswills! Thanks be to God for your witness of your lives! Your resilience glorify God! You are loved and your souls are worth more than a million galaxies! So much trauma and torments! Truth exposes sin! God would rather die than tell lie He didn't love Coswills and us! May the will of the Father made known by the Son through the power of the Holy Spirit reign and triumph in me and the Coswills through Ever Virgin Most Powerful Mother of God, Mary! May the prayers and Rosaries form the heel of the Queen of the Universe to crush the head of Satan! Bud, Barbara, Bill, Bob, Richard, Barry, John, Paul, and Susan! May living find healing & reconciliation and deceased rest in peace Wonder how diabolical twisted was Bud's life when he was a child? Sin blinds the sinner like Saul who killed Christians before he became Saint Paul! Jesus, I trust in You! Saint Maria Goretti, pray for us! Friday, July 8, 2022

[@ianhudson3634]

I think i know why he banned guns and motor bikes. A contol behavior.

[@seanpop2886]

When was this recorded?

[@louisepalanker]

In 2006, in Newport, RI, after Barry died.

[@patlarimore6960]

@@louisepalanker Barry's passing had to have been very, very difficult on the Cowsill siblings as there was such a long time from the hurricane to when Barry was finally found. The waiting must have been excruciating, then to have Bill pass just short time after. Their hearts had to have been broken. I saw a video of an interview with John done in 2019 or 2020, and the conversation went to Barry, and the grief John still carried for Barry was evident as he had to take a moment. My heart went out to John. A very belated thank you for sharing these interview gems of the Cowsills. I was a 9-year-old original fan back in 1967, and now I am rediscovering the Cowsills and it's great! Thanks again!

[@louisepalanker]

@@patlarimore6960 Happy to share.

[@timr31908]

Bud was a narcissist and a alcoholic and that equals disaster .. ....😮

[@louisepalanker]

Not a great recipe.

[@ThePoobears]

2 of my favorite men great to see this...

[@celsoyanez370]

Que alegría verlos