The Cowsills on the Barbara McNair Show

[@chuckschillingvideos]

I love that John got a moment front and center here. And he did a heck of a job handling vox.

[@rubywingo6030]

The boys line up keeps changing and they look so much alike it’s hard to tell who’s who!

[@OysterPir8]

Barry always looked so upbeat and happy. It's sad to see what life did to him.

[@normankennith7919]

you would have thought they could have 'cashed' in on john's version of folsom prison blues!!

[@amesburyroad]

I dismissed them when they were popular, but now, 40 plus years later, they were there real thing, live musicians, so rare now, a joy to watch.

[@th-d5882]

Same here... I've searched and caught up on any and everything Cowsills!!! Can't wait for the 'Happy Together' tour dates in 2018!!! How many times can hear _the rain, the park, and other things_ this weekend??? :)

[@moonglow1311]

Same here! I loved their songs, bcos many of their hits got lots of air play on the radio. However, just recently discovered, that this group was the ones singing them. So many great bands to follow in the 70's...

[@FMHammyJ]

its the first time I've heard the mom sing, she has a lovely voice.....its no wonder all the kids could sing....and no one can harmonize better than families.......

[@jenniferdonlin6627]

Yeah, she harmonized with them, all right...as she watched and boozed it up while her husband was beating the crap out of their kids. She smoked like a fiend, too.

[@jlbaker2000]

And they get an early start, don't they?

[@oneeyedman99]

@@jenniferdonlin6627 She was a fine performer with a troubled personal life. Hardly the first.

[@regionalunityproductions6204]

Love these family! so heartening to see they are still performing.

[@sharonramone7186]

Always loved The Cowsills! Talk about a GREAT group that got the shaft. They had/have such amazing voices!

[@kimwood9119]

The Cowsills got the shaft, because of their Navy father, Bud, who was very troublesome. Bud caused many problems at home, and for his kids' career.

[@cyndee39]

Their mother resembles a younger Judge Judy .. ,😊

[@Randyroseta]

Watching Susan playing bass guitar is a kick. Every time the camera was within a block of her, she knew when to smile. A seasoned professional by 12. And a talented family to rehearse with. No wonder she learned fast. She was a natural for television.

[@deplorabledave1048]

Ha ha! I noticed the same thing!!! ...and thought the same thing.

[@kevindavis296]

Susan is so cute and pretty

[@Ocelot1962]

Isn't she cute?

[@edwardmarkins2710]

I had such a crush on Susan. I was and still am amazed how talented she was! She had the hip dancing of the time down pat.

[@timmorgan9483]

They wanted her for the partridge family, but since they didn’t want her brothers, she turned it down. She could’ve had a career in television. She could sing dance and act.

[@SusieKatpersonKoch]

What great memories! So much talent in one family! They were my absolute favorite when I was a little girl growing up. I'm now 66 and I'm still Loving them!

[@normankennith7919]

i like the cowsills, miley cyrus & the late patricia janeckova, who died last october of breast cancer, aged 25! patricia was a brilliant opera/theatre/pop singer!!!

[@gary-rr7jp]

I turned 9 the day this was broadcast. I used to play Rain, the park, and other things over and over until my parents were probably sick of it. They never complained though. Great memories.

[@tyreesehamilton]

This is epic. Never seen John Or Paul play guitar other than Paul in the 1971 “we can fly” video. Never seen Paul play drums either. This is very nice to see.

[@normankennith7919]

nice to see john 'cash' in on his popularity!!!

[@kpenguins48]

I keep playing Barbara's solo over and over. Fantastic! She was underrated.

[@marknewton6984]

What a dumb family.

[@1090609]

I got to meet 3 of The Cowsills last night, it was great!

[@lajas46]

Barbara Mcnair is just beautiful, Folsom Prison Blues has never sounded any better GREAT job Cowsills

[@jv-ep2tc]

I am on a re-discovering The Cowsills magical mystery tour right now. This is shockingly good.

[@DaveGringo]

j v it sure is!!!!

[@JohnJohnson-lv7dh]

It's funny, somehow I missed them the first time around, although I certainly remember their hit version of Hair I just never thought about who the artists were. Anyhow, yeah, they are really good.

[@johnhewitt564]

I was shocked to learn many years ago that it was the cowsills that sang "hair" this wholesome clean family singing a darker tune song.

[@jv-ep2tc]

@@johnhewitt564 ive never heard the song Hair referred to as "dark". But true it was unexpected and when played on radio at first the DJ did not announce who it was.

[@barbaramiller349]

John is so talented ❤. I love this family.

[@ColleyatFlak]

Just wasn't into them in the 60's, thought they were Beatles rip-offs, but, boy was I wrong. With youtube and access to all their live performances you can see how incredibly talented they were.

[@markcarrillo2445]

Boy were you wrong.

[@wil7228]

Beatles?

[@lenas9858]

Which 60s band wasn't heavily influenced by the Beatles?

[@ColleyatFlak]

@lenas9858 Well, look at them early. They even duplicated the famous Beatle pic, the one where all 4 were grouped together.

[@lenas9858]

@@ColleyatFlak The Rolling Stones copied the Beatles.

[@EmpressOfWyoming58]

What a treat to get to hear Mom do such a powerful solo.

[@mrorionfan1]

Yessss - great harmony with the rest of the family. I have this song by the Partridge Family on an album.

[@kimwood9119]

Yes, Barbara Cowsill. Their mom, Barbara, used to sing 60's songs, while doing laundry, I had read years ago.

[@finnlemons3078]

Often dismissed as "just a housewife," Barbara Cowsill (the mom) had an awesome voice.

[@jv-ep2tc]

she was living the "blues" and it comes across in her delivery. such pathos.

[@iVenge]

She was a very handsome man.

[@liberty5069]

She's the reason why the kids have such good voices.

[@RicTic66]

A bit embarrassing for the kids having their Mum in the group and probably the reason they 'died' after she joined.

[@4gma59]

@@iVenge : Spoken like someone who could never measure up. We all know you.

[@philmccracken414]

First time I ever saw Susan C. playing bass. Does a good job too!. Her brother has a good voice for Folsom Prison Blues. And the mother could really sing well

[@KingOFuh]

LOL! It was all taped music. She wasn't really playing. Vocals were live, though

[@ralfodrum]

It's too bad Barbara Cowsill wasn't featured more....She had an amazing voice.I'm so happy they are still out there,even without Bill,Barry,Barbara....RIP....and the rest of you,keep on bringing that great Cowsill harmony and music.

[@mrorionfan1]

Yes - Barbara was amazing as well as the whole family - RIP to Bill, Barry, and Barbara.

[@donnamoreno9750]

And now twin Richard has passed on too. (July 8, 2014) 🕊

[@KingOFuh]

If she had been as cute as her daughter, the camera would have been on Mom more. Plus, SHE would have been star of the Partridge Family instead of Shirley Jones. Sad, but physical ugliness and the very EVIL to the BONE ugliness of tyrant father Bud Cowsill sidelined their career.

[@Khultan]

You are eye witnessing showmanship, talent, and CLASS.

[@Phill75051]

Only discovered the Cowsills recently and been looking up their songs and performances on youtube, They were really good singers and had some good songs.

[@lyndy2026]

They still play!

[@born4thstime]

Wow, I have never seen this. I'm 55 and I think Susan is my age. Such memories looking at the outfits she wore. Happy times! ....Let's go back.....just for a year...lol.

[@world-yw5ro]

If I went back i'd never come back no way! 😌

[@deplorabledave1048]

She is 61 in 2020. Two years younger than me.

[@CatMom17]

I've always loved the Cowsills. Had the biggest crush ever on John, and now can see him with the Beach Boys. After watching the Family Band documentary, I have a whole new respect for them. So happy for KZbin so we can get nostalgic!

[@jaimeacosta233]

Why don't they play this good shit on the radio anymore? We need another pirate like Alan Freed or Wolfman Jack today to say kiss my ass, this is the shit!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Never heard of Barbara McNair before. Looked her up on Wikipedia. Seems like her TV show was an interesting one, and she had quite a performance history herself as a vocalist. Seems like she was a very classy lady. I wish they still made TV shows like this today.

[@h2ofield]

Canadian production.

[@julioroy4498]

i know it's pretty off topic but does anyone know of a good site to watch newly released series online?

[@donnalombardo1135]

She starred in a movie with Elvis and Mary Tyler Moore called change of habit they played nuns helping Dr played by Elvis

[@dannyboi6530]

She was also an actress. I believe she also made films with Elvis, Sidney Poitier, and Danny Thomas

[@guilfordcigarman]

Go, Susan girl! Play that bass!!! I love the Cowsills!!!

[@joesmooth999]

The group was very poorly managed and utilized

[@kimwood9119]

@@joesmooth999 : Their father, Bud, was the one who messed up their kids' careers.

[@terrencedow2925]

What a goldmine! The Cowsills were and are awesome! Not a sour grape in the bunch! Saw The Cowsills, Barry Williams (Greg Brady), Leif Garret, The Heywoods and The Bay City Rollers on June 22, 2007 ( Friday) in Pleasaton, Ca. Top notch performance with Bob, Paul, John and Susan! After the show, my Wife and I met and shook hands with everyone except The Heywoods and John Cowsill. Susan immediately gave me a hug and called me 'Sweety" probably because I was wearing a hat like what her brother Barry used to wear. We got Barry Williams and The Cowsills autographs. I didn't have enough to buy posters for them all to sign, but they were all kind and gracious enough! Paul was laid back and cool. We were at the end of the line and our patience was rewarded! He saw me looking around and came over to chat. They were heading to Vegas next, but he really liked the small venues like this. Bob walked up and said something about needing a string change on his Gretsch 6120. I told him that the B string is always the 1st to abandon ship and laughed. Paul introduced me by name to him! I was truly honored! Bob laughed and said he knew I was a musician because I took the time to tell the backing band what a fantastic job they did! He saw me talking to Paul and came over to especially say hi! They still had to pack up, so off they went, but I still remember them looking back, smiling and waving goodbye. Good times indeed! When you look back at the tragedies to not only the Cowsills but Barbara McNair herself, it's mind blowing. (Side note) Who would've even known that the elder Quaker in Harrison Fords 'The witness' was none other than Jan Rubes. Every time I see this, I laugh that he and Susan always bumped into each other! The tallest and the smallest always collide! Barbara Cowsill singing did a fantastic job as well as Susan on bass! When it gets to the very ending (and this has nothing to do with the show, but editing) as it starts to shrink the square of the screen into smaller and smaller, till gone while Barbara is singing, it's like, NO, come back, come back, the future SUCKS for a lot you.. But..🤷‍♂️🙏

[@mottledbrain]

Amazing what music can do sometimes. "united we stand ..." Brought me right back to hearing that on the radio when I was only, what, 10-12?

[@wandarask8444]

The treatment these children went through from the parents is so sad they not only beaten, deprived them of love, Joy and spent all the money they made as children Hope the parents suffered all the pain the children went through. The kids have grown to be really nice adults.

[@dianeoloughlin4750]

The Mom was abusive as well as the Dad?

[@loudastous1159]

​@@dianeoloughlin4750NO,the Mom wasn't abusive,it was all the father as a matter of fact he was the reason that they weren't invited back on some of the tv shows that they were on

[@user-oh5uq8kg1l]

The mom, Barbara, didn't abuse the kids, but was also abused by Bud.

[@charlesdilworth7760]

Love to Susan

[@mustangmooney21]

What showmanship! A Family of fantastic performers! Loved this video. Thank you for sharing!

[@pattibrooks1907]

The Cowsills are the best rock band !

[@OriginalMACMAN]

What a talented Family such a pleasure to see this... American Classic!!

[@dantauro4575]

I was always a fan of their's, they never fail to amaze. So talented, so well rehearsed. Barbara had a powerful voice. Amazing! John's vocals are always pleasing. Its so different not seeing him on the drums.And to watch Susan having fun on the bass, just makes me smile. You go girl.

[@kimwood9119]

I liked to watch Susan dance, also.

[@geraldbutler2724]

John you were a special kid! Johnny would be proud of you!

[@OysterPir8]

What in the April Fools is going on here. Paul on the drums, Johnny and Susan on the guitar... crazytown.

[@tomk3620]

MOMMA COWSILL HAD A GREAT VOICE!!!

[@jman3657]

That's cool they imitated Johnny Cash

[@kathykay2010]

Excellent video, there is nothing they could not do to perfection. Thanks for the extensive narrative. It was very informative and interesting.

[@janetmavis6796]

Barbara really did have a beautiful voice and, her kids got there amazing talent from her

[@emilymalden3310]

What are their names.

[@janetmavis6796]

@@emilymalden3310 Bob, Paul, Barry, John. and Susan Cowsills

[@brucepowell9252]

Loved the last song done by the whole cast--year of my graduation too. Susan Cowsill was so cute! RIP Barbara McNair and Barry.

[@turdferguson3475]

John Cowsill was in my high school German class for a few months. Looking back at these old shows, it's amazing what an interesting life he had already lived.

[@Chericherry4]

Enjoyed this very much!

[@mrorionfan1]

I wish I had watched the Barbara McNair show but I apparently was too young - I don't remember it - even though I was born in '62!!!!

[@nitwitromney]

Thanks for a great clip and helpful notes. The only version of "I Really Want To Know You" I'd ever heard before was on the first Partridge Family album--it's sung in chorus form and sounds like inoffensive sonic wall paper. The Cowsills really bring this beautiful song to life! Golden memories...

[@scottmonfort]

Still Loving the Cowsills!

[@Khultan]

Just fantastic. I was too young for this, I would have been two years old in 1970. Beautiful. : )

[@lajas46]

the beautiful Barbara McNair

[@scottmonfort]

Wow, this is priceless: one of the only videos with Barbara singing and a great rare shot of Barry on back-up vocals.

[@qtbrniis]

Nah, there's another video out there where she sings solo at the Playboy Mansion for HH. Just keep looking.

[@redlipstickmafia]

@@qtbrniis And that video of Barbara and Susan singing "Where Is Love?" at the Playboy Mansion is stunningly beautiful. I love that mom and daughter are doing such a gorgeous job of this song that as the camera pans across the room, you can see close-ups of the faces of some of the playboy bunnies on set who are captivated by the beautiful singing and harmonizing.

[@tencz57]

Great up load . For many reasons . TY

[@joepeskie5122]

MOM WAS THE COWSILLS...I TRULY BELIEVE THE REMAINING FAMILY MEMBERS WOULD AGREE....DAD ON THE OTHER HAND WOULD NOT BE WELCOME..THIS WAS AND STILL IS A GREAT MUSICAL FAMILY

[@Music4allofU]

This was a fantastic performance to watch.

[@Fizzegyatso]

I had a tremendous crush on Susan in those days. We are about the same age.

[@kathykay2010]

Thanks for uploading this treasure, and thanks again for the interesting detailed write-up on the songs and the singers. May Barbara, Barry, Jan, and Barbara rest in peace...

[@donnamoreno9750]

And also brother Bill!

[@leeannep.7652]

This is just wonderful. Thanks.

[@melanieobremki4876]

John was SO cute! Still is...

[@donaldchaperlo6095]

On "Folsom Prison", lead was by John and Paul was playing the drums. On "I Really Want To Know You", Paul was behind Bob who was behind Susan.

[@cneumann2000]

The song Barbara is singing, "I really want to know you" was also sung by "The Partridge Family on one of their episodes. How ironic is that?!

[@itsthatguy0]

cneumann2000 really....

[@kachoo2135]

The Cowsills version is much better than the Partridge version

[@bradsmack1]

Wow....nicely done, isorindu!! The clip, certainly, but tremendously informative and interesting commentary! Amazing, too, to see the preponderance of the variety show around that time...to the point that "even" Barbara McNair had one! Love her, of course, but her fame hasn't stood the test of time, and many folks, nowadays, have no idea of how talented she was! Also, great to see Mama Cowsill singing solo, after hearing "rumors?" that she was always terrified, etc of singing. Plus, the interchanging of the instruments was staggering to see! Who know Susan knew how to play anything but the tambourine?! This is a great clip for all---newbies to the band, and Cowsill "experts" to see the things, otherwise rarely seen, I mentioned above! Thanks again!

[@douglasthompson9482]

Absolutely fabulous….those great days.

[@vjn529]

Thanks for posting this. It's interesting comparing how different Susan looks in this video and the other video you posted of the Cowsills performing in the Playboy Mansion. The two shows aired just 6 months apart, so it's surprising how much Susan had grown during that short period.

[@angelrivera8558]

This show all of them where very talented they each played many instrument Barry, John, Paul. Bud, bill, and Susan all played each other’s instruments

[@evanwatkins5929]

I never had even heard of Barbara McNair, until I recently rediscovered the Cowsills. It's funny in a way... like where was I ???

[@moonglow1311]

Same here. Well, it was the 70's, guess my head was in a cloud back then...

[@earlapachelongwolf5226]

The castells Barbara McNair and Freda Payne fantastic it didn't get no better than that in 1970

[@williamnelson727]

Nice to feature Mom singing the lead. amazing, really. family entertainment, yes, in a very difficult time of many, major changes in this country. (divided by war AND foreign interests, communists, dissidents, trouble-makers, etc.)

[@jpmerrick8886]

They were so very good

[@sharonc9259]

Such a charismatic talented family.

[@atp1962]

One talented family. I was pleasantly surprised the mom could sing so well. The Barbara McNair show was such a fun show to watch. Wonder if she is still alive

[@ScottJ794]

Tommy Pierce Died in 2007

[@oneeyedman99]

Surprised at how capable a bass player Susan is. This was apparently after Bill left/was fired, so I guess it was time for her to step up on an instrument.

[@Fizzegyatso]

And...now I am even older than Barbara was at the time. She was a beautiful woman.

[@jamesewanchook2276]

totally talented!

[@denisel.1327]

The Cowsills will & are still a very talented family singing group. I remember watching the television show The Partridge Family which was loosely based on The Cowsills. I have also seen the documentary about The Cowsills.

[@benjaminadler6149]

The sexy one in red must be Freda Payne, I knew it right away before she even sang a note.

[@sandraandrews9907]

What an interesting way of "fading to black" by shrinking the footage. Please post anymore episodes of Barbara McNair's show, if you can. I do remember her singing her closing song. God bless you and the technology of You Tube for providing this piece of '70s tv.

[@lindieann]

thankyou so much for posting these...they were my absolute favorite group.... seems like only yesterday.... RIP Bill, Bud, Barbara, and Barry - Blessings from Montana, Lindie

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

This is amazing! I know she had tremendous stage fright.

[@lyndy2026]

Weird to see John on guitar and singing lead! Didn’t even know Paul COULD play drums! Love it!

[@kimwood9119]

I didn't know Susan could play bass!

[@pizzamaru1]

these kids are a box of surprises, they keep surprising me!

[@ronaldrime5286]

It's kind of sad the way the picture gets smaller at the end, as though fading back into the past:(

[@patlarimore6960]

Was this show before or after the Cowsills were on the Johnny Cash show? It would be interesting to know if Johnny Cash saw this and if he was flattered to see John Cowsill do a good job on this classic Cash song. It was fun to see a bit of a switch-up...John on guitar, Paul on drums, and Susan on the bass that was just about as big as she was!

[@mfrankel8321]

Interesting video. The Cowsills quickly turned into some sort of a lounge act when Billy left the band. One could see from performances like this one on the Barbara McNair show that their demise was quickly inevitable.

[@tommy5247]

Super Talented Band of my childhood.

[@laurenmontera9516]

Susan with an instrument other than a tambourine, how adorable.

[@LauraL965]

Those mic's they are using I have never seen any like that! Cool!

[@frogface66]

The camera loves Susan , she’s so adorable.

[@larrycourtney5638]

Mrs. Cowsill was very talented herself, a very beautiful voice. She was kind of like my mom had a bunch of kids to take care of and put up with a monster of husband.

[@fatima1009]

I never heard the mother Barbara sing solo. They were very talented.

[@julioandronicofloresgaldam8947]

MUY ELEGANTES ESTAS PRESENTACIONES DEL RECUERDO.-

[@brianforbes8325]

In case any of you were wondering, the guy singing with Barbara McNair was Jan Rubes, a Czech-Canadian opera star who also acted in movies and on television sometimes. His most notable role was as Eli Lapp, the Amish patriarch in "Witness' with Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis. He was McGillis' father-in-law. He was pretty good in that role. Not many people remember him.

[@stevewilley5185]

Thanks for explaing who he was. Kind of thought he might be father of the family .

[@LarryKelly]

these people were good! Saw them in convert near the red of their heyday in 1971.

[@n28i64]

John Cowsill was born March 2, 1956 and this performance was from November 22, 1970. I'll let you do the math!

[@raysmusic49]

A great band!

[@dennisleporte2327]

Barbra was awesome.

[@rdo1231]

her voice is so lovely

[@billmartyn-smith1364]

I loved Barbara McNair she every Sat. we'd go to our buddy's house to watch Hockey but Barbara was on just before and we had to watch it with his Mom or no hockey. lol All kidding aside she was a very underrated talent.

[@lizadivine3785]

The mom had a great voice!

[@bill99208]

Their music is so good and (dare I say?) mucho better than a lot of the stuff coming down the radio waves today. Despite what was going on off stage, they were consummate professionals on stage, right down to their dress. In fact, I wish that I could find a couple of tuxedo shirts like the guys were wearing in this video and the one that Revolvy did. Class act all they way.

[@janetmavis6796]

Listen to Paul Cowsills play those drums and Susan sweet smile she had the charm to like her brother's.

[@thomascramer7485]

I remember my crush on susan good memory.😊

[@slc10ga]

It was odd to see Mama Cowsill with dark hair. Most of other clips don't show that.