David Cassidy (1950-2017)
David Cassidy, who was best known as the star of the 70s Partridge Family TV show, has died at the age of 67.
He was cast as an androgynous “Pretty Boy” who didn’t have to sing. The plan for the show was to follow in the footsteps of the Monkees – use session musicians and singers and just lip sync. But like the Monkees before him, David convinced the producers that he was a good singer and deserved to sing lead on the Partridge Family music. He did have a good strong voice and when permitted to show it, he had some outstanding performances.
As the TV show evolved, David became more of a comic foil for Danny Bonaduce and the scripts deteriorated into typical comedic situations that had no regard for the actual “point” of the family pop group storyline. To satisfy his desire to perform, David began writing and producing his own solo music and was very successful both in the US and abroad, selling out numerous venues within minutes. Unfortunately, he was never able to shake the teen idol image and even when appearing in Rolling Stone and admitting to smoking pot, he never broke through as a respected musician. He had a number of hits, both original and covers, like his version of the Young Rascals hit.
In later years, he appeared on Broadway, Las Vegas, and continued to tour and play both Partridge Family and his own solo material. He had a few brushes with the law and admitted to a substance abuse problem. Recently his revealed he was suffering from dementia and would retire from performing. He performed his last concerts in early 2017.
In 1993, a British version of This is Your Life aired all about David’s life.
He is survived by a son Beau a musician and daughter Katie who stars on the CW Series Arrow.
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