For many years, I didn't think anyone who could beat Joe Jackson of the Jackson family for being a biggest jerk of a musical family. He has obviously lived off the labor of his kids his whole life. But I do think that Bud Cowsill has to run a close second. It would be interesting to speculate what would have happened to this group if the father had not been such a dictator in regard to his family and not made so many lousy business decisions.
The fate of both acts offer striking similarities for sure. But, as the Cowsills were drifting into relative obscurity, the Jacksons remained on the radar screen, both for their talented legacy and the troubled life of the star of the family, Michael. Jack Ass Joe Jackson's abusive grip on his children spoke volumes for the confused adulthood of the gloved one. Michael grew into adulthood suffering the emotional torment likely to haunt an abused child. Blame Michael's Dr for the malpractice alleged to have caused his death, but, if you ask me, Joe Jackson got away with murder.
