The Cowsills on the Barbara McNair Show
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- Опубліковано 24 кві 2012
- The Cowsills appeared on at least four different episodes of the Barbara McNair Show in the '70s. This video contains all three of the songs they performed on the November 22, 1970 episode of the show. Elsewhere on UA-cam I've posted another episode of the McNair show featuring the Cowsills, and other such episodes may follow.
First up we have a very brief cover of Johnny Cash's 1955 tune "Folsom Prison Blues." Cash borrowed the melody for the song and many of the lyrics from Gordon Jenkins' 1953 "Seven Dreams" album, specifically the song "Crescent City Blues," for which he ended up having to pay Jenkins a settlement of approximately $75,000. For this performance John Cowsill has vacated his usual position behind the drums to commendably handle vocals and acoustic guitar. His place at the skins is taken by Paul, who in turn has handed over his bass to Susan. Susan also has things covered in the smiles department; occasionally at ill-timed moments. "I shot a man in Reno just to see him die" sings John, as the camera cuts to Susan grinning away! Bob gets in some tasty country licks on guitar, while Barry handles duties on second electric guitar. Some of Johnny Cash's more ardent fans don't take kindly to seeing his (or in this case Gordon Jenkins') music performed by others, but for everyone else this rendition adds up to a thoroughly enjoyable, thumping romp.
Up next is "I Really Want to Know You," a song written by husband and wife writing partners Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. This beautiful tune appeared on the Cowsills 1970 album "II x II." Curiously, also in 1970 the song appeared on the debut album of the TV family "band" inspired by the Cowsills -- the Partridge Family! John supplies the perfect loose, understated drum work which helps make this rendition work so well.
Things wrap up with the show's quests joining together to sing "United We Stand" as the closing credits roll. Like the previous tune, this song was also first released the same year as this 1970 show (by "The Brotherhood of Man"). Aside from host McNair and the Cowsills, the other guests are Freda Payne and Jan Rubes. Rubes was primarily an opera singer who no doubt found himself wondering why he allowed himself to get involved with this sing-along -- especially after Susan nearly crashes into him at 8:01!
There's an odd coincidence about this last performance. The nine performers are standing atop circular platforms. Five of them have their own individual platforms, whereas four of them have been paired-up to share two of the platforms. Fast forward to the present and those two pairs sharing the platforms are the only ones who are now deceased. Sharing a platform in the back, Barbara Cowsill died in 1985 and her son Barry died in 2005. And sharing the platform in front, Barbara McNair died in 2007 and Jan Rubes died in 2009.
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This is a non-commercial, non-for-profit video used under fair use solely for entertainment and commentary purposes.
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.
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??? :)
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...
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.......
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.
And they get an early start, don't they?
@@jenniferdonlin6627 She was a fine performer with a troubled personal life. Hardly the first.
Barbara Mcnair is just beautiful, Folsom Prison Blues has never sounded any better GREAT job Cowsills
The boys line up keeps changing and they look so much alike it’s hard to tell who’s who!
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.
Ha ha! I noticed the same thing!!! ...and thought the same thing.
Susan is so cute and pretty
Isn't she cute?
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.
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.
I keep playing Barbara's solo over and over. Fantastic! She was underrated.
What a dumb family.
Always loved The Cowsills! Talk about a GREAT group that got the shaft. They had/have such amazing voices!
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.
Their mother resembles a younger Judge Judy .. ,😊
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
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.
nice to see john 'cash' in on his popularity!!!
What a treat to get to hear Mom do such a powerful solo.
Yessss - great harmony with the rest of the family. I have this song by the Partridge Family on an album.
Yes, Barbara Cowsill.
Their mom, Barbara, used to sing 60's songs, while doing laundry, I had read years ago.
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.
Boy were you wrong.
Beatles?
Which 60s band wasn't heavily influenced by the Beatles?
@lenas9858 Well, look at them early. They even duplicated the famous Beatle pic, the one where all 4 were grouped together.
@@Colley1973 The Rolling Stones copied the Beatles.
I am on a re-discovering The Cowsills magical mystery tour right now. This is shockingly good.
j v it sure is!!!!
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.
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.
@@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.
Often dismissed as "just a housewife," Barbara Cowsill (the mom) had an awesome voice.
she was living the "blues" and it comes across in her delivery. such pathos.
She was a very handsome man.
She's the reason why the kids have such good voices.
A bit embarrassing for the kids having their Mum in the group and probably the reason they 'died' after she joined.
@@iVenge : Spoken like someone who could never measure up. We all know you.
I got to meet 3 of The Cowsills last night, it was great!
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.
Yes - Barbara was amazing as well as the whole family - RIP to Bill, Barry, and Barbara.
And now twin Richard has passed on too. (July 8, 2014) 🕊
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.
They still play!
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!
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 UA-cam so we can get nostalgic!
MOMMA COWSILL HAD A GREAT VOICE!!!
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?
You are eye witnessing showmanship, talent, and CLASS.
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.
If I went back i'd never come back no way! 😌
She is 61 in 2020. Two years younger than me.
Go, Susan girl! Play that bass!!! I love the Cowsills!!!
The group was very poorly managed and utilized
@@joesmooth999 :
Their father, Bud, was the one who messed up their kids' careers.
What a talented Family such a pleasure to see this... American Classic!!
the beautiful Barbara McNair
What showmanship! A Family of fantastic performers! Loved this video. Thank you for sharing!
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.
I liked to watch Susan dance, also.
John you were a special kid! Johnny would be proud of you!
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.
Canadian production.
i know it's pretty off topic but does anyone know of a good site to watch newly released series online?
She starred in a movie with Elvis and Mary Tyler Moore called change of habit they played nuns helping Dr played by Elvis
She was also an actress. I believe she also made films with Elvis, Sidney Poitier, and Danny Thomas
Barbara really did have a beautiful voice and, her kids got there amazing talent from her
What are their names.
@@emilymalden3310 Bob, Paul, Barry, John. and Susan Cowsills
Still Loving the Cowsills!
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
Excellent video, there is nothing they could not do to perfection.
Thanks for the extensive narrative. It was very informative and
interesting.
Susan with an instrument other than a tambourine, how adorable.
Enjoyed this very much!
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!!!!
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.
Just fantastic. I was too young for this, I would have been two years old in 1970. Beautiful. : )
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.)
The castells Barbara McNair and Freda Payne fantastic it didn't get no better than that in 1970
This was a fantastic performance to watch.
Loved the last song done by the whole cast--year of my graduation too. Susan Cowsill was so cute! RIP Barbara McNair and Barry.
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...
This is just wonderful. Thanks.
Great up load . For many reasons . TY
The mom had a great voice!
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...
And also brother Bill!
They were so very good
Super Talented Band of my childhood.
I never had even heard of Barbara McNair, until I recently rediscovered the Cowsills. It's funny in a way... like where was I ???
Same here. Well, it was the 70's, guess my head was in a cloud back then...
The camera loves Susan , she’s so adorable.
Barbra was awesome.
Wow, this is priceless: one of the only videos with Barbara singing and a great rare shot of Barry on back-up vocals.
Nah, there's another video out there where she sings solo at the Playboy Mansion for HH. Just keep looking.
@@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.
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!
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?!
cneumann2000 really....
The Cowsills version is much better than the Partridge version
John's voice is part Johnny Cash, part Mr. Ed here.
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.
her voice is so lovely
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.
I never heard the mother Barbara sing solo. They were very talented.
Listen to Paul Cowsills play those drums and Susan sweet smile she had the charm to like her brother's.
This is amazing! I know she had tremendous stage fright.
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
Tommy Pierce Died in 2007
A great band!
MUY ELEGANTES ESTAS PRESENTACIONES DEL RECUERDO.-
It's kind of sad the way the picture gets smaller at the end, as though fading back into the past:(
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
Weird to see John on guitar and singing lead! Didn’t even know Paul COULD play drums! Love it!
I didn't know Susan could play bass!
these kids are a box of surprises, they keep surprising me!
Susan is rocking that Bass.
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.
Thanks for explaing who he was. Kind of thought he might be father of the family .
¡Lindos!
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹💝👍👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌👌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🎶🎶🎶🎶
I didn't know Johnny Cash was in The Cowsills !
Stephen Sergio no he was not member.
Wonderful band...Sad to have just recently seen the story and what a beast of a father they had. Though they seem to do pretty good for themselves though a few had some demons to fight some found the light one did not seem to have the strength.
Both parents were alcoholics.
The parents would both go out, get drunk, and abuse the children.
All seven of those kids were ACOA (adult children of alcoholics).
This can result in borderline personality disorder, or other disorders.
@@BeautifulSpirit-kf5ld :
So sad.
I knew the father, Bud, was abusive. But I didn't know their mother, Barbara, contributed.
It was odd to see Mama Cowsill with dark hair. Most of other clips don't show that.
wow.... really nice
There weren't many black entertainers who had a chance to have a weekly show.Flip Wilson had a great variety show back in the day.I think that Harry Belafonte would have done very well.Her daughter Shari was an actress years ago.
Barry is so missed even Barbara they were so natural.
Love these guys,follow them since i was a kid,wanted to really date susan,so beautiful,lol.
John Cowsill was born March 2, 1956 and this performance was from November 22, 1970. I'll let you do the math!
I feel so sorry for these children! Cowsills, Jacksons, Osmonds...poor little guys! They seemed like puppies! So eager to please! Just wanting to be loved! They all worked so hard! So sad.
The Osmond's were very much loved by their parents, and they knew it.
@@LeeSeneca Which is more than can be said for Bud Cowsill, Joe Jackson, or Murray Wilson, all of whom treated their talented children horribly.
The mother has a great voice ....... her strory is happy and tragic.
Is it just me, but when mama is singing her solo she sounds like she has an Irish accent? Great band
It's her New England accent coming through.
I look back now and think that Barbara knew that getting the kids to play and perform would help keep Bud from abusing them physically. After all, questions would be asked if the kids showed up with bruises or put in hospital for being beaten.
I just saw the documentary on the Cowsills...not only physically and mentally abusive, but...sexually abused Susan! (from her own words!)
Those mic's they are using I have never seen any like that! Cool!
the rain, the park, and other things ..... indian lake ..... hair ...... are waaaayyyyy by far their best songs. don't care for any of these songs this video!
Thanks so much for posting this video, isorindu. I would never have noticed the strange coincidence about the placement of the performers in the last number if you hadn't mentioned it in the video's description. At first I thought it was another of those quirky tongue-in-cheek things you slip in to your video descriptions, but I looked into it and it's true (I wasn't aware that McNair and Rubes had passed away.) Spooky!
Love this song Barbara's singing..." I really want to know you""
I didn't know Susan could play bass!
Susan is so fun to watch.
Susan's smile is killer!
Pretty groovy:)
United we stand❤😅
I was crushing on Susan in 69'!!!
Would have made for a nice Sunday evening family time...those were the days. BTW Barbara is 42 in the clip.
That answers my question about "I Really Want to Know You." Difference is Shirley Jones' voice went through the blender because her style of singing didn't go with what we now call "sunshine pop."
That was variety. Unfortunately, we don't seem to believe in that kind of entertainment anymore. The Smothers Brothers revivals were good, but in the ratings basement.
The Cowsils,Osmonds Sylvers.Debarge &The Wolfgram-The Jets are my favorite Musical Family. Groups.
Also the Bee-Gees.
Jackson Five..
Director on "Folsom Prison Blues" couldn't figure out who was playing the lead guitar.
United We Stand was a good song.
If you don't like The Cowsills then there is something seriously wrong with you.
Interesting,all the guitars here including the bass guitar are tuned down a whole step.Being a guitarist myself I'm wondering if they might have done that to make the action lighter and thus easier for the kids to play.
Mom and Dad dragged the group down. They had potential for greatness.
I think Barbara was as abused by Bud as were their children. She would have been afraid of him. He did the damage.
Might not have even been a band without that Monster of a father spraying machine gun fire over their heads, getting their lazy asses out of bed, practicing. Same goes for The Jacksons' dad, Selena's papa, probably more. The problem is, they always overdo it. Bud Cowsill was the worst. Ran his own son Billy out of not only the band, but also the family., for insubordination. it breaks my heart just typing out this true story. And----bonus----he molested Susan. Good news is......he's DEAD.
@@kennethlatham3133 Yep, Bud was a tyrannical, alcoholic, abusive monster no doubt. He cost them 8 Ed Sullivan appearances, their own TV show as a summer replacement for Carol Burnett, squandered their $ & generally mismanaged them. I condone none of that, but he also championed them, getting them gigs, auditions, record deals & more. What they should've done, imo, is staged a mutiny when he kicked Billy out. All the siblings have said Billy's firing was the beginning of the end.
If you haven't already, check out Billy's 𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔 music w/guitarist Jeffrey Hatcher, drummer JB Johnson, bassist Elmar Spanier & later bassist Barry Muir. It's all fantastic. Even Billy said 'On the Floor of Heaven' was his greatest musical achievement.
@@RockThisTown2000 Yes I have watched some live performances of the Blue Shadows. That's what Billy needed: a collaborator, a partner. Buying a bar in Austin wasn't the wisest move in his part. A candy shop for his demons to frolick about. I think the news of the discovery of Barry's remains in N.O. is what did him in, the last straw.
@@kennethlatham3133 Yep, Billy once said Jeffrey Hatcher "𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒛𝒊𝒑 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒛𝒂𝒑". Jeffery & Billy pushed each other, made each other better, so much so that their recordings/live performances were absolutely stellar. Sadly, Billy couldn't keep his demons in check. You may be right . . .word of Barry's demise may have been what pushed him over the edge.