The real-life inspiration behind the hit television series The Partridge Family, The Cowsills -- were one of the biggest pop acts of the late '60s.

Distinguished by their angelic harmonies and sun-kissed melodies. The group's origins lie with brothers Bill and Bob, who as children began their singing careers covering Everly Brothers hits.

Given guitars by their father, Navy man William "Bud" Cowsill, the siblings soon recruited younger brothers Barry and John to play bass and drums, respectively, and as Beatlemania dawned, the teen foursome began performing live at school dances and church socials throughout their native Newport, RI.

Eventually they landed a regular weekend gig at the local club, Dorians, on Bannisters Wharf, and in 1965, recorded the single "All I Really Wanta Be Is Me" on the Joda label; the record generated little response until an appearance on NBC's The Today Show.

The group then signed with Mercury Records, releasing three more singles. Upon signing with MGM in 1967, The Cowsills with their lineup now numbering seven (brother Paul, sister Susan and mother Barbara joining the original four) had their first million-selling single, “The Rain, the Park and Other Things” (usually called the flower girl song) which was featured most recently in Jim Carrey’s movie, “Dumb and Dumber”.

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