David Cassidy on the Web
Cassidy show: A lot of love with cheese on top
By MARIJKE ROWLAND
BEE ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
From: www.modbee.com
Last Updated: April 18, 2003, 05:50:11 AM PDT
David Cassidy is obviously used to being loved.
He watches unfazed as various sundries are thrown on stage. He smiles genially for pictures -- midsong. He gushes graciously as roses, cards and banners are propped at his feet.
"Because of who you are and how fantastic you've been, I get to do what I do," the former teen idol told the sold-out crowd at the State Theatre Saturday night.
As the still-trim Cassidy jogged onto the stage for the first time, more than 500 grown women screamed like teen-agers. Dressed all in black, he immediately launched into "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat," complete with hip thrusts that registered just below salacious.
As he stopped to talk with the audience, he said breezily, "Some of you might remember I used to do a show called 'The Partridge Family.'" Throughout the night, Cassidy chatted freely with the crowd. He also stopped to pick up items tossed on stage (underwear, Hawaiian leis, puka shell necklaces, you name it).
For his fans, coming to see the man formerly known as Keith Partridge was a chance to recapture part of their youth. Or perhaps it was just a chance to see if their old crush had aged well.
Tracy resident Liz Tan came with her friend Cheryl Harter of Escalon. Harter even brought her vintage 1970s "The Partridge Family Album" record along for the show.
"He's a legend," Harter said. "And he's so cute."
Cassidy, whose once-flowing hair is now cropped short and slicked back, bopped his way through old hits ("I Woke Up In Love This Morning," "Cherish"), some past favorites ("Do You Believe In Magic," "Ain't No Sunshine") and even a Beatles tune ("I Saw Her Standing There"). His voice stayed pert and clear through the parade of pop hits.
Backed by a lead guitarist, bassist, drums, two keyboardists and two backup singers, Cassidy's show was equal parts nostalgia, Vegas and Velveeta. Think jazz hands. Think cherry-red electric guitars. Think sweat-soaked hankies given to a fans. Behold the power of cheese.
The show was beset by various technical difficulties. Cassidy explained that travel difficulties had kept the band and crew from arriving in town until 6 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show. Sound and lighting checks were, obviously, skipped. Cassidy apologized: "They're not terribly important, unless you care what (the concert) sounds like."
Still, the heavily female crowd didn't seem to mind. Dozens rushed forward as soon as Cassidy hit the stage, eager to touch his outstretched hands. Even after he admonished them to sit down several songs in, exuberant shrieks and gleeful cheering persisted.
Many fans came to the theater with hand-made birthday greetings. Others clutched their David Cassidy albums and "Partridge Family" memorabilia.
The Modesto performance was on Cassidy's 53rd birthday. The crowd serenaded him with "Happy Birthday" twice: the first rendition started impromptu by the crowd, the second as he later was presented with a candle-laden cake by theater staff.
"It is, in fact, my 39th birthday," he joked. "I've been 39 for the last 14 years."
The hour-and-a-half show ended with what Cassidy called "the song I will do for the rest of my life." As the last strains of "I Think I Love You" reverberated through the State, he left the stage.
As fans chanted "David! David! David!", they waited for an encore that never happened.
Perhaps, after all, there is such a thing as too much love.
