The Cowsills with The Buckinghams, The Lovin' Spoonful, and more

The Cowsills, a family band from Newport, Rhode Island, inspired The Partridge Family TV series. Known for their angelic harmonies and pop hits like "The Rain, the Park and Other Things" and "Hair," they were a top act in the late '60s. The group, consisting of siblings and their mother, had a clean-cut image with strong songwriting and production skills. They reunited in the '90s, suffered family tragedies, but made a comeback in 2022 with the album "Rhythm of the World." The group also featured in the documentary "Family Band: The Cowsills Story."

Chicago's Buckinghams rose to fame in 1966 with the hit "Kind of a Drag," riding the British Invasion wave. Known for harmonies and soul-styled brass, they found success with "Don't You Care" and "Susan," and their R&B hit "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy." Despite early success, their popularity waned post-1967, but Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna revived the band in 1982 for full-time touring.

The Lovin' Spoonful, formed in 1965 by John Sebastian and Zal Yanovsky, were key in challenging the British Invasion with hits like "Do You Believe in Magic?" and "Summer in the City." Known for melodic, cheery folk-rock, they rose to fame with Sebastian's unique songwriting and collaborations. The band's success waned post-1967 after drug scandals; Sebastian departed in 1968. Jerry Yester joined later. Despite challenges, the band remains iconic in '60s rock history.