“Hair” (1969) – The Cowsills * Written by Galt MacDermott, Gerome Ragni, and James Rado * Produced by Bill and Bob Cowsill * 45: “Hair” / “What Is Happy” * LP: The Cowsills in Concert * Label: MGM * Charts: Billboard Hot 100 (#2)
The Hair musical debuted on Broadway in April 1968 and grabbed attention quick with its unbridled depiction of bohemian youth (swearing, protesting, getting naked, etc.). As far as the unsympathetic side of the cultural divide was concerned, the handcart to hell bounced along to the beat of Hair‘s catchy songbook. By 1969, the shock had worn off and the show had settled in as a cultural given. Hair songs aired on top 40 stations, with the 5th Dimension taking “The Age of Aquarius” to #1 in the spring, holding the Cowsills’ “Hair” at #2. The Rhode Island family band’s record came about from an NBC TV special called The World of Pizzazz, co-hosted by Carl Reiner, which explored contemporary fashion styles spiced up with music. The Cowsills, otherwise seen in Tiger Beat and on milk commercials, lip-synced to their new record, looking like a pride of young lions in their shaggy wigs. Brothers Bill and Bob, the two oldest siblings, produced the record, and all the music and vocals you hear on it are brought to you by the family. No tricks. They’re at the top of their game, and this imbues the song with a certain rest-of-the-story melancholy because shortly after this, loose-cannon Cowsill dad Bud would goad Bill into a fight that led to his dismissal from the band and family. Bill would never again ride the top of the charts the way he did here with such assuredness and professional sheen. That’s sad because he belonged there. An article in Mix magazine gives a detailed account of the recording session. (“Hair” appears as an opening studio bonus for the Cowsills in Concert album.)