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Who Came First: The Cowsills or the Partridge Family?

Published in Music History 2 mins read

The Cowsills came first, as they were the real-life singing family that served as the direct inspiration for The Partridge Family television show.

The Real-Life Inspiration: The Cowsills

The Cowsills were a genuine American singing group that gained popularity in the late 1960s. This family band eventually included five brothers, a sister, and their mother, Barbara Cowsill. They achieved chart success with hits like "The Rain, The Park & Other Things" and "Hair." Their unique dynamic as a large, harmonious family performing together on stage and touring laid the foundation for the concept of a fictional television series based on a similar premise.

For more information about the real band, visit: The Cowsills on Wikipedia

The Fictional Counterpart: The Partridge Family

The Partridge Family was a popular American musical sitcom that aired on ABC-TV from 1970 to 1974. The show centered on a widowed mother, played by Shirley Jones, and her five children who form a pop-rock band and embark on various musical adventures, often traveling in a brightly painted school bus. While the characters and storylines were fictional, the core idea of a singing family band was directly influenced by the real-world success and image of The Cowsills.

Learn more about the TV show here: The Partridge Family (TV series) on Wikipedia

Key Differences at a Glance

Understanding the distinct nature and timeline of these two musical entities highlights their relationship:

Feature The Cowsills The Partridge Family
Origin Real-life family band, active musicians Fictional television show
Debut Active in the mid-to-late 1960s (first hit 1967) TV show premiered in 1970
Nature Actual touring and recording artists Actors portraying a band; songs recorded by professionals
Relationship Inspired The Partridge Family Inspired by The Cowsills
Key Mother Figure Barbara Cowsill (real mother and singer) Shirley Jones (actress portraying the mother)

It is clear that the authentic musical journey of The Cowsills predated and directly influenced the creation of the beloved television series, The Partridge Family.