Concert Review
I sang with David Cassidy. (How it came about & videos!)
photo: Chris Deford
Dayton, Ohio 1970:
I am ten years old and in the throes of my first crush. He was a TV star of the hit-series The Partridge Family. Keith Partridge. David Cassidy. The most beautiful boy I had ever seen. I would go to the supermarket with my mom and make a bee-line to the magazine racks to look at and make my mom purchase: Tiger Beat, 16 Magazine or whatever other rags featuring him on the cover. If it included a pull-out poster – it was mine.
He was unattainable of course but I fantasized daily about him. His image was taped on my walls. The haircut, the puka shell necklace, those eyes, that sexy look and smile. Sigh.
I outgrew my schoolgirl crush by the time Prince came along, but I always had a soft spot for DC. And as he withdrew from the limelight, I grew up. I remember noting that he had been on Broadway and Vegas but by then the news brought just a nostalgic smile. He was part of my childhood innocence.
Fast-forward 46 years to Chicago 2016:
I am on Facebook whining about Lady Gaga’s Grammy tribute to Bowie. My college friend Craig J from Northwestern popped in on the thread and suggested we record our own Bowie tribute, and “oh by the way, did you know I have been playing keyboards for David Cassidy for over eight years?”
Uhh no.
Well, that conversation turned into a “you should come sit in with David in New York at BB King’s and David Loves the Blues, and he does B.B. King’s: “Sweet Little Angel” and I’m gonna ask him and see if he is up to having you sit in….”
Our first meeting in the lobby of the Hilton.
And that was how it came about. The date was Friday, March 11, 2016. There was one caveat: I couldn’t tell a soul. I could not announce it on social media or blog about it. And I didn’t. It was killing me. But on the other hand, in show business you learn not to believe a gig will happen until you’re actually on the stage.
Meanwhile, I got a bit nervous. Though Craig assured me that DC was a “sweetheart” I still didn’t know what to expect. I did research. I watched every video of David’s on YouTube. I got reacquainted with the man; read his memoir. What should I wear? How should I wear my hair? DC is a slender man, standing 5 feet seven to my big 5 feet ten 1/2 inches. Would I look gargantuan standing next to him? Would I be able to apply my lashes properly? These may sound like silly questions to the average person but to me it was stressful! I knew that I would wear the tie dyed dress by Jamie & Spiritually High Dye, but what jewellery?
NYC March 9: I flew in to LaGuardia on Wednesday morning. My old friend Evan offered his apartment in Chelsea and a couple nights at his lovely home in Tuckahoe. If it hadn’t been for Evan, I couldn’t have done it. Money was tight. He picked me up from the airport, fed me and took care of me.
I flew in at 6AM and spent the day with Evan and his husband David. My buddy Stacey came in along with my niece Whitney for a lovely dinner out on their patio. The weather Goddess was with me. It was 75 degrees in NY.
Photo: Chris Deford
Thursday. I had a video shoot with David. I went to the hotel and after a couple of hours I met the man. We went downstairs to the lobby and there he was! Dressed in jeans and a black shirt, tanned and handsome. He came right up to me and stood on his toes to give me a big hug. He was smiling and chatty. It was all there: that sparkle in his eye; the smile and that voice that I had listened to for three years, every week as an adolescent. It was the voice of Keith Partridge! Only he was speaking directly to me, making jokes about 4thritis and singing “Sweet Little Angel” to me right there in the lobby and I jumped right in. It was just for a moment but we both knew it was going to be cool!
Photo: Chris Deford
Friday. I arrived at the club early for more shooting and a sound check. There he was again, only cuter and even more charming. We took photos. He leaned in close to my face. I almost pulled away to giggle like a schoolgirl – but I didn’t.
Soundcheck. The show was sold out and there were old broads lining up outside for hours. The seating was general admission. I ate dinner with the band, we laughed and vibed well. We had done a stellar soundcheck where they got to see what they were working with – ME and MY VOICE. And they were – dare I say it? – thrilled! And so was I! That band was smokin’!
Showtime. The band got onstage, they played the intro music and DC walked out to uproarious applause and a bit of screaming. He played three of his hits and then called me up. We played the song, exchanging verses and I felt totally comfortable with David. We played around on stage. I cracked wise and started talking smack. He was laughing so hard that he had to stop and gain his composure. The band was awesome! It was a blast.
Photo: Piernot
And when I was done, we bowed to each other, hugged and he said to the crowd: “She’s amazing!”
I was thrilled. I was verklempt. I am a very lucky lady.
This video is shot up close but cuts out part of my moment (I reckon she was more about David than “my moment!”) However – you can catch David praising my performance and my friend Craig gesturing with his arms like: “Didn’t I tell ya? I told ya!” My bit ends at 3:49.
Watch these fan-videos here:
This video was shot by my friend Stacey and shows the entire song – minus David’s final reaction. Don’t mind the distractions. I’m just happy that it was captured on video! Enjoy!
P.S. After the show as I left the venue, I was approached by two women who asked if they could “touch” me because I had “hugged and kissed David Cassidy!” Wow! The boy still got it at age 65.
Lynne Jordan
