David Cassidy in the News
Cassidy slams TV fame game
By Billy Sloan
March 14, 2004
Scottish Newspaper
DAVID CASSIDY became the original pop idol after he was propelled to superstardom by a peak-time television show.
Thirty-five years after playing Keith in The Partridge Family, he's still a pin-up to thousands.
David is well placed to take a look at the modern- day equivalent Pop Idol and Fame Academy and he doesn't like what he sees.
As he prepares to start his final UK tour, the singer didn't mince his words when he told me what he thinks about the men behind these shows such as Simon Cowell.
And he points out the high price Michael Jackson has paid for the kind of fame today's hopefuls are after.
In an exclusive interview, the 53-year-old star said: 'I really fear for the kids who audition for Pop Idol. They've not got the talent needed and are not equipped to deal with fame.
'How can you take a young guy who's working as a mailman one minute, then after appearing on Pop Idol for 12 weeks they're telling him: 'You're the new No.1 rock God'?
'According to whom? C'mon it's just not possible.'
David stars at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow on April 24 as part of the farewell tour.
He's quitting life on the road to spend more time with his family third wife Sue Shifrin and son Beau, 13. David also has a daughter, Katie, 17, from a previous relationship.
Talking about today's stream of instant stars, he said: 'When I joined The Partridge Family in 1970 I had attended stage school, been in a Broadway show and had also done 10 leads in television dramas.
'I had a bit of grounding as a performer. But these kids who audition for Pop Idol don't have that.
'Pop Idol is a means for television to give us a non-stop stream of disposable, would-be performers.
'The kids who audition are all pursuing fame not the craft of singing.'One or two will make a some money if they're very lucky. But who's going to be there to catch the rest of them when they fall?'
David reserves particular disdain for Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell, who is as notorious for his put-downs in the US as the UK.v
He said: 'I find Simon Cowell grotesque. A lot of what he does is driven by ego and greed. He is sitting there judging these youngsters based on what? How many times has he written a song or performed?'
With a string of hits including Daydreamer and Rock Me Baby in the 70s, David competed with fellow US star Michael Jackson for fans' affection.
While David's career is still on track, Jackson's is in tatters as he faces child molestation charges. How does David view the circus surrounding the star?
David said: 'Obviously, I don't want to comment on whether Michael is innocent or guilty but this is one of the saddest stories around. He was taken out of the real world when he was a child. Somewhere in all this Michael Jackson is a very lost, sad and lonely guy. It's a tragic story.'
'Irrespective of what the outcome of this trial will be - and whether Michael is innocent or guilty his life is something I don't think anyone in their right mind would ever care to have.'
