David Cassidy on the Web
David Cassidy stands tall as pop survivor
October 13, 2004
The Stamford Advocate
By RAY HOGAN
"The Partridge Family" ended its TV run 30 years ago, but David Cassidy has been tied to his role as Keith Partridge for all of his professional life.
But rather than fall into a rut, Cassidy has parlayed that fame into a remarkably sturdy career.He is juggling three projects: his own tour, performances of the theatrical presentation, "The Rat Pack Is Back!" a show he co-created, and serving as executive producer of VH1's "In Search of the Partridge Family," where hopefuls try out to fill the roles of the musical family originally played by Cassidy, Danny Bonaduce, Shirley Jones and Susan Dey.
"Perseverance, good fortune and talent" is how he explains his longevity. "You've got to be able to roll with it. I never tried to be an oldies act. I didn't want to go backward. I want to go forward." He attributes his work ethic to his father, actor Jack Cassidy, who died in a fire in his West Hollywood, Calif., home in 1976.
"Just because you become very successful, you don't lose the desire to work," he says. "My father was a great role model."
With 22 albums, Cassidy enjoys being able to make every concert different. Like many musicians his age, his love of music sprang from seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. He says he tracks his musical evolution with a 20-minute acoustic set during his concerts.
"I have a lot of material to choose from," he says. "Ninety percent is made up of songs people will know."
In addition to his 22 albums, Cassidy has starred on Broadway in the original "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Blood Brothers" (with brother Shaun) and in London with Sir Laurence Olivier. In 1996 he went to Las Vegas to star in "EFX" at the MGM Grand. Under his creative direction, it became the most successful production in Las Vegas; Cassidy is credited with bringing in more than 1 million customers. In 1999 he teamed with writer-producer Don Reo to create "The Rat Pack Is Back!" although he doesn't star in it.
He's also keeping busy with the talent search show. Originally he wasn't interested in the reality-based recasting of the show but realized the best way to protect the show would be to get involved.
He came around after learning that the creators of the show involved Emmy winners, and when the producers told him that his inclusion in the project was essential. Jones and Bonaduce are also on board now.
