How do you fit a lifetime into a documentary? Wait, make that how do you fit the lifetimes of an entire family into a documentary? It’s not easy and it’s been a long journey but on Thursday, July 21st, “Family Band: The Cowsills Story” was screened for a sold-out crowd at The Paley Center For Media in Beverly Hills.
Fritz Coleman began the evening by introducing Louise Palanker, the film’s producer & director to the audience. Following a few brief remarks by Louise, the audience was treated to the first public screening of the film.
Honestly portraying the rise and fall and ultimate triumph of The Cowsills and trying to answer the question of What happened, the documentary touches the emotions and can make you laugh and cry – sometimes at the same time. The weaving of music with the interviews, especially the use of some of Susan Cowsill‘s solo efforts, is truly powerful. This is a movie for fans of The Cowsills and non fans alike which will leave you wanting to strengthen the connections with your family members.
Next up, The Cowsills and the members of the creative team (Louise, Ian Broyles & Bill Filipiak) participated in a question & answer session moderated by Fritz Coleman.
Following the entertaining and informative question & answer session, Bob, Paul & Susan performed a few musical numbers. Susan actually had laryngitis and tried valiantly to sing a bit but was not up to her usual vocal prowess. The audience was treated to Peter, Paul & Mary’s If I Had My Way, Indian Lake, Hair and a bit of Happy Trails.
There were lots of videos being recorded so keep your eyes open for these to show up online, but for now, we’ll share one that was posted by the drummer in the Bob Cowsill Band, Jim Laspesa.
Thanks to everyone who attended and special thanks to Fritz Coleman, Louise Palanker, Ian Broyles and Bill Filipiak.
i couldnt get there but i hope its gets release in the threatre on the big screen so everyone
can sees it guess what the cowsills are actors now they made there first movie,
Will Family Band be playing in the Chicago area? If so when?
I cannot wait to see this documentary! I wish I had been in California for the screening!
great evening if anyone is coming to Las Vegas for their show here let me know I have access to some comps here if anyone needs any???
P.S. wow, great write-up thanks and big, big thanks to Fritz Coleman too. What a guy.
You guys should be SO pleased. It was a warm, fantastic evening and the documentary was beautiful. Worth the wait. It was great to see so many people from ye olde boarde too! Humongous congratulations. I was so lucky to have been there.
When will the documentary (movie) be available to see? How will it be distributed? Love this family- have followed them since the beginning, even had the pleasure of meeting Susan a few yrs back — and the family way back when they first started out– so looking forward to being able to see this !! Peace ….
Great questions. As soon as the answers are known, we’ll let everyone know here on the site. For now, you can try to get to the upcoming events in August: August 10th in Providence, RI & August 25th in Los Angeles, CA.
I haven’t heard that song from them before! BRAVO, COWSILLS! Congratulations on a wonderful night!