“FAMILY BAND: THE COWSILLS STORY” (2013): What was & What might have been

The Cowsills were a pop music group of family members, including the mom, who soared to superstardom in the late 1960s with three million-selling singles. “The Rain, the Park & Other Things” (1967) and “Hair” (1969) each climbed to #2 on the U.S. charts, while “Indian Lake” (1968) peaked in the tenth position. They also sang the theme song for the popular television series of the era, “Love American Style”, and served as the inspiration for yet another hit show on the tube, “The Partridge Family”.

Their image was one of squeaky clean, including doing TV ads for milk.

Little was an adoring public aware that behind the smiles and color-coordinated costumes all was far from fun and festive. The shocking backstory of this band that burst out bright only to flame out fast is revealed in unflinching detail in the documentary “Family Band: The Cowsills Story”.

There is a scene toward the end of “Family Band” when Susan, the only girl among the siblings, reveals the night she broke free from her father's control. It is riveting, raw and repulsive beyond words.

The moment serves as the resonant message of this story. Though not all of them survived the trauma of their shared ordeal, those that powered through and on have done so with a strength of spirit, resilience and redemption nearly impossible to put into proper perspective.

Rock on, brothers and sister.

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