The real life group that was the inspiration for The Partridge Family.

First of all....Happy 55th Birthday to John Cowsill.....more in him in just a moment.


The Cowsills were made up of Bill and Bob (guitars), Barry (Bass), John (drums), Susan, Paul and their mom Barbara. The group was formed in 1965 with the core of Bill, Bob and Barry, soon afterward John and then Barbara had joined by the release of  "The Cowsills" in 1967. Susan and Paul joined shortly after that.

For the rest of the 60's, the Cowsills were hitting the charts with bits of pop confection stamped with beautiful 4 and 5 part harmonies that could only be produced by siblings.

In 1969 Screen Gems approached them about doing a sitcom about themselves. Negotiations broke down however when it was decided that Barbara would be replaced by Shirley Jones. Later, David Cassidy was hired on the cast and it was renamed, "The Partridge Family" and started it's 4 year run on ABC.

Things would be pretty much over for them by 1972, although they have continued to perform on and off over the years...and that brings us back to the birthday boy.

John has made his mark in a lot of different places. He toured with Jan & Dean and the Dwight Twilley Band (as did his sister Susan). He has acted some on the soap "General Hospital", and the sitcom "Full House". He was with Tommy Tutone long enough to be heard on his huge hit, "867-5309/Jenny", and in 1993 he married Vicki Peterson of The Bangels. He is now the drummer and background vocalist for the Beach Boys touring band. Happy Birthday John!