Happy Heavenly Birthday to the late, great David Cassidy.
As I grew up and into the world of showbiz, I grew out of shape-shifting peer-oriented "likes/dislikes” and expanded my musical vocabulary. I accepted "fresh data" and became better at recognizing great quality music, no matter who is doing it. These factors over-rule the transience of hipsterism.
The Partridge Family first hit when I was around 13, and they were pungently un-hipster for me. Back then I dismissed their music as pre-teen twaddle with some passable TV comedy (actually, if you leaned on me, I’d admit the show was pretty funny). Today when I listen to The Partridge Family, I now hear the A-list songwriters who wrote for them, backed by the venerable Wrecking Crew, and sung by a very talented singer with great range—David Cassidy.
He had an astonishing resume as an actor, collaborator, and songwriter. His career intersected with The Beach Boys, The Eagles, Sheena Easton, John Lennon, Mick Ronson, and Alan Tarney. Cassidy’s songs have been covered by Cher and Heart—here’s “Prayin’ 4 a Miracle,” a song he co-wrote with John Wetton for the band Asia.
“Blind Hope” is one of many excellent deep cuts in the Cassidy catalogue. His records sold millions (solo and with Partridge Family), and at one point his fan club was larger than fan clubs for The Beatles and Elvis Presley, but he wanted to break away from his teen idol image. Yet, internationally, his concerts became riotously huge, causing officials in Australia and England to consider deporting him! Then in 1975 a girl died at one of his shows, which broke his heart and added another reason for him to take a leave from Cassidy-Mania.
Everything he did post-Keith Partridge (records, theatre, TV shows) was of high quality and reached people around the world (show in photo L-R, my friends Vance Brescia, DC, Wayne Avers, and Micky Dolenz):
Cassidy came into my professional circle around 1998, and I'm grateful to have had at least a few times with him, on stage and off. He was a very empathetic person who, despite his life experience with “celebrity,” seemed at odds with the trappings of fame. He just wanted to watch baseball and jam on a guitar.
I'm in 12-Step Recovery and we all prayed he'd find the tools to overcome. On this note, here's a video of the last time Davy Jones (Monkees) and David Cassidy performed together (who knew?), and I'm glad to have been a part of that...
Meanwhile, HB DC and thank you for your voice.
#davidcassidy #partridgefamily #efx #davyjones #monkees #wreckingcrew #johnnyjblair #felipetorres #davidrobicheau
David was an icon in his own right, and was never given the recognition he deserved by the music industry. He was capable as an Artist in his music, writing, producing and as an actor for so much more than he ever was allowed to do or create. He gave so much of himself to his craft . He brought Love and Light and joy into so many lives . He will never be forgotten, he is and will be forever loved and forever missed. Cherish the Legacy he left .
In 1972 “Cassidymania “ really took off in the UK, when David came for his first visit David was unaware he already had gained a huge fan base and following here in the UK. Fans were waiting to welcome him at Heathrow.
He was staying at the Dorchester Hotel London. They sang outside the hotel all day we love you David, 50 years on and we still sing we Love You David. ❤️🌹❤️
I am a lifelong David Cassidy Fan
I along with every other David Cassidy Fan would like to see David Cassidy given the recognition for his musical talent and the acknowledgment of his body of work that he has produced over the decades.
David Cassidy appeared to sold out Stadiums around the world, Wembley, Royal Albert Hall, White city Stadium, Madison Square Gardens , Melbourne Cricket Ground, Houston Astrodome, MGM Grand Las Vegas, and many more over the world.
He was and is an icon and legend of the music and entertainment industry.
He had a larger fan club than Elvis and the Beatles, and was the first highest paid solo artist of his time. He also was the first star ever to be merchandised globally in all manner of merchandise.
His image adorned the walls of his fans, and still does.
He was the King of Teen idols, the cream da la creme. The King of Fans Hearts. Thereby the King of Hearts.
His could sing, play guitar, drums, and piano aswell as a being superb stage and TV actor.
He produced some of the best musical LP’s and music of the decades and of his 70’s era. He played with the best. He created with the best wrote, and produced songs with the best.
He was heavily influenced by BB King, Hendrix , Buffalo Springfield, Cream, and loved the blues.
He also jammed with some of the best, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the band America.
David influenced many artists, Alice Cooper, Elton John, George Michael.
David Cassidy sang with Erica Carmen, Gerry Buckley, Bruce Johnston.
David sang backup on America’s album “ Hideaway” released 1976 with Warner Bros records . Gerry Buckley and Dewey Bunnell both worked on David’s RCA albums. Recorded at the infamous Caribou Ranch.
David Co wrote songs with Kim Carnes, and Bruce Wilson just to name a few.
He could sing a myriad of styles and capture his audiences with baited breath.
His presence for his fans all over the world created “Cassidymania” in 1972.
I don’t know of any other artist forced to fly in and land at Heathrow airport and give a performance on the tarmac of the airport and then fly out again. The BBC wouldn’t allow him to perform on their show “ Top of the Pops” for fear of throngs of girls causing destruction to limos and property, due to the sheer volume of screaming adoring fans.
He was denied a stay at the Dorchester Hotel in London and had to stay on the yacht Ocean Sabre on the River Thames. Even then fans tried to swim in the Thames to reach the yacht (Incidentally the yacht was for Elizabeth Taylor’s Dogs )as they feared the damage these fans could do in their attempts to reach David.
David could go no where without mass hysteria from fans.
His music and presence inspired so many artists that would come after David . They were in awe and respect of him.
He had the ability to make his cover versions sound better than the artists originals .
His voice was in a catergory of its own as was his music.
He truly is worthy and deserves this accolade and recognition.
No musical accolade would be complete without Davids name on it. His music is still as hugely popular as it ever was by his fans, friends and colleagues.
A performance of David Cassidy Live and his music you will never forget and it will never leave you.
He had a special relationship with his UK fans who supported him through every decade and beyond.
I enclose links to a list of different videos of
David’s Live Concert performances from different decades for you to view in your consideration.
He has being overlooked for far too long and deserves his place of recognition posthumously.