On-line Chats with David Cassidy
Chat Transcript - December 18, 1999
An online chat with David Cassidy hosted by NBC Live on December 18, 1999.
NBCLive : When ABC-TV cast ~*~David Cassidy ~*~ as its star in "The Partridge Family," it launched one of the most astonishing careers in entertainment history. Before the series had even aired its initial broadcast, Cassidy was already on the cover of teen magazines throughout the world. He even had a #1 single which would become the best-selling record of 1971. And that was just the beginning!
NBCLive : Welcome, David!
David_Cassidy : Hi Everyone! Hello! Hello to those of you in the great electronic Internet cyberworld! Greetings from Planet Babar!
Mattsmom : David, I think you should know that you are a legend here on Talk City!
David_Cassidy : Wow! Talk City! Is that a 70' phrase, or is it an actual place that I can visit?
MysteryGirl : David, you've always been my favorite. Where do you go when you just want to get away from it all? Do the fans still act the same way?
David_Cassidy: ::: thinking ::: I usually go to the country where I raise horses. I try and stay relatively sane by spending time with my horses. I'm more curious about the 'MysteryGirl' aspect of the question. Thank you for the question
tvcritic : What inspired you to become a performer?
David_Cassidy : Well, tvcritic, I guess it's the fact that, academically, I was hampered by the interest. And it probably had to do with the lack of talent in any other area. It's a good thing the boy could sing. I'm sure that genetically, through my parents, I inherited some of the talent as well as the lack of interest in anything else. I suppose that it also had to do with the fact that I like to make people laugh, and I like to make them happy. I've had that since a very early age. It brings me joy to watch and be a part of that exchange, and to feel that I have contributed to and brought a light into someone's life. It's a very rewarding profession. It seems like giving, sometimes. But actually, there's a lot that I get in return from audiences
wendleclark : You came from such a talented family. Can you share with us what your other family members are up to these days?
David_Cassidy : wendleclark, I assume that you are referring to my brothers. My father is deceased, of course. My mother is retired. My stepmother still sings with symphonies and acts occasionally. My brother, Shaun, is writing and producing a new television series that he's created for the USA network. I don't know the title yet. My brother, Patrick, is currently starring in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Coincidentally, that's the show I starred in Broadway some 15 years ago. My brother, Ryan, is a set decorator in Hollywood. He's currently working on a Television series called, "The King of Queens". My wife, Sue Shifrin, is writing and composing music. She is also doing an enormous amount of charity work. And of course, last but not least, there's yours truly, David Cassidy. I'm in rehearsal for my new theatrical production entitled, "At the Copa." I've signed Sheena Easton to co-star with me. I am the writer and executive producer of this hybrid at the Rio Suites Hotel. We will be performing there 44 weeks, which will take up the next two years. And hopefully after that we'll be taking the show to Broadway in 2002. "The Rat pack is Back!" closed this Sunday night at the Desert Inn where it has had a phenomenal run for the past 6 months. My partner, Don Reo, and I are about to sign a new contract. It's a new multiyear contract at another Casino Resort here in Last Vegas. In addition, there's the NBC movie about my life, "The David Cassidy Story," which we just wrapped last Friday. It will air January 9th on NBC. Needless to say, it's taken up an enormous amount of my time over the past 3 or 4 months. But trust me; it's a good life.
tara435-guest : Do you have an official website? If so, may we have the address?
David_Cassidy : Yes! it' http://www.davidcassidy.com and http://www.partridgefamily.com. And I understand that there are numerous websites out there that have been created over the past 4 or 5 years. People have been creating them for a few years at least; although, I don't have any information regarding them. I will have a lot more information after we open January 18th at the Rio. After that, I will be actively involved in feeding information to all my fans and friends.
jennifer86 : Having performed on stage and TV, do you have a favorite medium to perform in, and why?
David_Cassidy : I Just love performing, period. To be honest, there's nothing quite like performing live in front of a live audience. That's not to say that television and film isn't as rewarding; it's just different. There is something intangible that you create with a live audience, and it's why I have been drawn to the theater so often. It just seems to be so much more exciting!
magicbus : I saw you in your re-vamped version of "EFX" in Las Vegas, and I thought it was fabulous. Can you tell me a little about your new show at the Rio and what it will be like?
David_Cassidy : Well, thank you first of all, magicbus. I believe there is nothing that I could tell you about what "At the Copa" is like. And that's because I don't think it has ever been attempted before. So in a sense, it's the most ambitious endeavor that I have attempted. However, it is the most interesting, challenging, and interactive show. It has tremendous style, much like Chicago or Cabaret. It has the rawness of a concert. I have a fantastic bunch of creative people that I have hired and surrounded myself with, from director, to choreographer and arranger. I have original music that I began writing in 1995, which will be performed by the largest orchestra in Las Vegas. I will play. I will sing. I will dance. I will act. I will be supported by the best supporting cast I've ever worked with. I've been an enormous fan of Sheena Easton's work as an actress, and as a vocalist. She' worked in the theater on Broadway recently, and she's as passionate about this project as I am.
futureactor : If you could give an aspiring entertainer advice, what would be the most important secret about being a performer that you could share with them?
David_Cassidy : It would be difficult to say the most important, but here's a few off the top of my head. Love your work. Do the work for fun. Do the work for yourself. Don't do the work for money or fans. Allow the work to speak for itseslf, and enjoy it. Be committed 100 percent to whatever you do. If it's reading the time on your watch, or falling in love, be committed; be thorough. Be specific, and act, act, act! Good luck!
Davidsbiggestgroupie : Was it strange working on a TV show with your real-life mom?
David_Cassidy : When you say, 'Biggest groupie', are we talking largeness in size? I can't quite remember what it was like because I'm living in the present. I loved the people I worked with on the Partridge Family, all of them. It's kind of like being asked a question about your college football coach after you've been retired from professional football 15 years. Know what I mean? It was a long time ago.
fl225-guest : I just wanted to thank you and your mother for all the entertainment when I was growing up! I couldn't wait to get home to watch Partridge Family. Cindy.
David_Cassidy : Thanks, Cindy! But for the 850,000th time, let me correct your impression that Shirley Jones is my mother. In fact, she's not. She's not even my stepmother anymore; although, I love her and will always feel very close to her. Actually, my mother is Evelyn Ward, and she appreciates it when I acknowledge her. I hope you can forgive my little indulgence and come see me in "At The Copa" in Las Vegas some time in the next 2 years. I promise that this one will thrill you, or at least it will thrill me!
laurablu : Friday nights were what I lived for back then. There was the Partridge Family, the Brady Bunch, and Creature features. What's it like being part of an era?
David_Cassidy : LOL!
griffeil : What part do you bring to the music writing aspect of your work? Do you write more lyrics, or more music? What starts you off on a song?
David_Cassidy : Great question! Sometimes, more often than not, I start with a melody. Occasionally, a phrase, a lyrical idea, or a musical idea will get me started. But I really contribute equally, and write some of the material such as will be in the new show, alone. Therefore, the music seems to come more often than not. It comes easier than the lyrics do. I'm not sure what starts anyone off on a song except an idea, and somehow they're all out in the cosmos; it all passes through your body.
debcolei : You were my idol as a teen. But it seems, from what I've heard in your interviews, that you regret being a teen idol. Why is that?
David_Cassidy : Well, let me be more specific. I don't regret being the idol, hero, inspiration, or role model. What I regret is that with all of those labels, people find it impossible to see beyond that. My belief is that when we put labels on people, particularly ones that have somewhat of a negative connotation, such as the word teen, it tends to diminish one's talent. Calling anything 'teen' tends to diminish one's creativity, which is sad. You are very fortunate if you are successful enough to have people look up to you, and/or idolize you, and see you as an inspiration or a role model. It's important to have the perspective that I now have, which is that mine is the only person's opinion that I put real weight on. And the people who genuinely love me, and the people I aim to please, are the people I trust, like yourself, who have been moved in some way by what I do. And for that, I will love you. In addition, I will work as hard as I can to live up to your expectations, and entertain you as long as I have life in me.
mjb1985-guest : Dear David, I still have the 45-rpm vinyl record of your number one hit song, "I Think I Love you." Can you tell me what year the song came out? Also, I see you all the time on VH1. I hope you plan on staying there. You're still a big hit in Cincinnati!
David_Cassidy : I'm glad you've still got it. Keep it and treasure it, as I still have a copy of mine. It's a great song, and a great record. I've recently re-recorded it on my solo LP, "Old Trick New Dog". But I have often wanted to record the song as a ballad, and almost as a haunting lament. I got the chance to do that when Louie Shelton, and I recorded it live in the original studio. That's where we recorded a lot of our early hits, with the original musicians, for the new "David Cassidy Story" movie. It was the most gratifying and wonderful recording experience that I've ever had. It was pure magic being back in that same room where I hadn't been in 25 years, with all the same musicians, and I will never forget it. By the way, "I Think I Love You" was the biggest-selling single in 1970. And it's all thanks to fans like you.
DMH71 : Does it bother you that so many people live in the past and still only see you as part of the Partridge Family?
David_Cassidy : Judging from all of the questions that I've been fielding tonight, I have to admit that talking about your past gets a little old. It's not that it bothers me that people find my work or my life interesting, of course. I know that having lived through it with you, that it had a tremendous impact on a generation of people. And for that, I'm grateful. But again, I live in the present. I work in the present. I love in the present. And I'm very successful in the present. I would much rather love to discuss what I'm doing today, rather than what I've done in the past. It doesn't bother me to be clear; it never has.
NBCLive : We are almost out of time for today, David. Thank you for joining us. Do you have any last words for our audience?
David_Cassidy : Yes! Over the past nearly three decades, I've made an effort to communicate my feeling about my public, and my fans. Allow me a moment to just tell you how much it means to me, and how much it has meant to me to have your love and support. There were times, most of them in the 80's, when I felt very lost and despondent. I was frustrated by my lack of opportunity to reach you, and to share my life and talent with you. I've wanted to give back to you some of what you deserved, and some of what I felt I deserved to be able to share with you. Professionally and personally, it has made the success of what I have had in this past decade sweeter. Knowing your love and support is there has been gratifying. I thank you for making my life so rich. I wish you a safe, happy, healthy, and prosperous Christmas and New Year! Come see me at the Rio, and let's share the next century together.
NBCLive : A very special thanks to ~*~David Cassidy~*~ for participating tonight.
Many thanks to Charlotte for sending me a copy of this chat.
