David Cassidy on the Web
A star is reborn:
David Cassidy enjoys a record-breaking career
March 30, 2001
By Denise Sloan
Tribune entertainment editor
www.tahoedailytribune.com
Commitment and an unstoppable spirit are what have kept David Cassidy going for 30 years of career highs, careers lows, and now again even larger career highs.
Not just as a teen idol in the "Partridge Family," but during the '80s when Cassidy found himself broke, without a job and no prospects in sight, he never gave up.
Now back on top and named Entertainer of the Year in Las Vegas, Cassidy comes to the South Shore Room at Harrah's Lake Tahoe for two performances, March 30 and 31.
Cassidy and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. have entered into an agreement that has the star performing in all of Harrah's 21 U.S. properties.
It's an arrangement that has Cassidy thrilled because his life will return to somewhat of a normal schedule. And considering that he's a husband and father, that should make his family very happy.
"Now I do four to six shows a month instead of eight a week," Cassidy said from his Las Vegas home in a telephone interview this week.
"Now I get to be involved much more with my family." Cassidy was about 30 minutes late calling at our appointed time, but apologized profusely. He was at his son's baseball game which went into overtime. Beau is 10.
"His team lost, but he did a great job pitching. I'm really proud of him," he said.
Cassidy closed his Las Vegas production "At the Copa" to take on Harrah's offer and to pursue more projects he's interested in.
"Two weeks ago I had 77 employees and in the end it becomes too much. I loved it but I needed to get off that bus," said the 50-year-old.
"And it's been five years since I've seen my son in a Halloween costume."
When ABC cast Cassidy, who was 20 at the time, as its juvenile star in "The Partridge Family," it launched a spectacular career. From television to recording and record-breaking concert tours, and from Broadway to Las Vegas production shows, Cassidy made his mark.
Hailing from a family of actors, mother Evelyn Ward and father Jack Cassidy, his fate as a performer was seeded at a young age. It was by coincidence that he wound up starring with his stepmother Shirley Jones in "The Partridge Family."
Before the end of 1970, the year the show premiered, Cassidy graced every teen magazine cover in the world, had the No.1 selling single of the year, and garnered multiple Grammy nominations and won a Golden Apple Award. Over the next five years, his official fan club grew to become the largest in history, exceeding those of Elvis Presley and the Beatles.
His concerts sold out in the largest arenas and stadiums in the world, which led him to be the world's highest paid performer at the age of 21. His records have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and have been recognized with 18 gold and platinum recordings including four consecutive multi-platinum albums.
"Performing in casino shows allows you to connect with the audience and making people laugh and entertain them is what I love most," he said.
"If you're doing this for the money, you're ultimately going to cheat yourself."
As lead vocalist with "The Partridge Family," Cassidy was responsible for seven chart-topping singles including "Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted," "I Woke Up In Love This Morning," "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" and of course, "I Think I Love You," the best-selling record of 1971.
It was in the 1980s that Cassidy's star dimmed. Nearly broke and with no work in sight, he ran every day to keep his spirits up.
"When I returned to work, I specifically chose not to compete with my earlier fame," he said. "I always made sure that the work - not my potential money or fame - was the primary reason I would choose to get involved in a particular project.
"I really believe that if the work is good, then all kinds of success and other good things will follow."
Cassidy acted in the highest rated "Police Story" in its seven-year history, which earned him an Emmy nomination as Best Dramatic Actor. He then went to Broadway where he starred in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," then on to London's West End in "Time" with Sir Laurence Olivier, and in 1994 he once again broke box office records in the production of "Blood Brothers."
In 1996, Cassidy opened in Las Vegas' MGM Grand in the $75 million extravaganza "EFX." Under Cassidy's direction and by entirely revamping the show, it became the most successful production in Las Vegas.
Within four months of opening, the show was voted "Best Production Show" in Las Vegas, and Cassidy was voted "Best All Around Performer" and "Best Singer."
In 1999 Cassidy was again named "Best All Around Performer" in the Review Journal's Best of Las Vegas. He was also chosen City Life's "Entertainer of the Year" and was dubbed "Show Star of the Year" by Gaming Today.
Cassidy partnered with writer-producer Don Reo to create "The Rat Pack Is Back!" which has been playing to sold-out audiences in Las Vegas.
" 'The Rat pack is Back!' continues because we just signed a contract for another year," he reveled. "Each week it gets more and more successful."
The show that takes audiences back to Las Vegas's heydays is at the Sahara.
"I'm very proud of it. When you write every word and see it succeed, it's great. I've seen it 50 times and tonight I'll go in and perform as Tony Curtis and Jack Jones. It's a cameo appearance that's really a lot of fun for me.
"Jerry Lewis and Frankie Avalon have actually come up on stage and performed and the audience loves it."
Although Cassidy is enjoying tremendous success today, there were many rough spots in his personal and professional life throughout the years, but he has always succeeded in keeping his perspective and sense of humor.
"I'm an optimist. I mean, you have to be with my career," he laughed. "I've never changed my style to suit the times. I have always stayed true to myself by trying to sing about the human experience.
"And my life and lifestyle are more important to me than just making a lot of money," he said wisely.
"There are things you have to sacrifice and after 30 years in the business "I've learned to have a balance.
Plus, I'm having the best time I've ever had, going to a lot of places I haven't been to in a long time. When I come up to Harrah's Lake Tahoe I'm bringing my wife and son with me and I'm really looking forward to it."
Aside for entertaining, Cassidy has another passion: He owns numerous Thoroughbreds that race at tracks throughout the country.
"I don't ride any longer because when I go to work every night, dancing and performing, I can't do that with a cast on my leg, so I have to make a choice, and it's my choice. I love to ski and love to ride horses, and will again someday. But for now, I breed them and race them," he said.
So what is his ultimate goal?: "To win the Derby, " he said without hesitation. Cassidy performs nightly at 8, and tickets are $42.50. For reservations, call (800) 427-7247.
