David Cassidy on the Web
Come On, Get Happy... Again
Ex-'Partridge Family' member David Cassidy keeps mixing it up
June 7, 2007
By Dave Peña
www.atlanticcityweekly.com
David Cassidy has been making us happy for over 35 years. Playing the role of Keith Partridge on the hugely popular The Partridge Family from 1970-74 launched his career and made him the object of adoration for millions of pre-pubescent girls. With hits such as "Come On Get Happy," "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat" and "I'll Meet You Halfway," Cassidy's fan club exceeded those of Elvis and the Beatles.
Since then he has performed in Broadway musicals, created very successful Las Vegas productions and continues to tour, entertaining audiences worldwide. Now, married with two children of whom he's very proud, Cassidy is returning to his shaggy roots. His latest CD, David Cassidy Part. II The Remix, features dance remixes of his most well known hits. We recently had a chance to speak with him about his upcoming show at the House of Blues, his new CD, and his possible return to television.
Where did you grow up?
I was in New York until I was eleven, and then I moved to L.A.
Did you ever live in New Jersey?
I lived in Jersey, yeah. When my mom and dad got divorced I moved in with my grandparents in South Orange.
Any South Jersey memories?
Oh, a lot of them. My mom and my grandparents would to take us down to the Shore in the summer. I remember vividly going to Asbury Park (and) Belmar and Ocean Grove where I had an aunt who was about 90 years old. Also, my dad and mom did a lot of summer stock [theatre]. They would do these musicals and things.
What do you think about the recent developments in Atlantic City?
It reminds me very much of what happened in Vegas in the middle '90s. I think it's fantastic for people who do what we do, and for people who love to play, it is one of America's playgrounds. For me, I've never played House of Blues, so I'm really excited about the idea of doing that.
Tell us about your new CD.
Craig J. called me. He's one of the hottest producers in the business today ... He's been producing and arranging for Beyonce and Mariah Carey. He had the idea [when] he'd heard some of my material and actually saw me play live. He called me and said. 'I really would like to work with you. I love the songs.' It evolved into a really wonderful, exciting, creative endeavor. People are sort of flipping over it. I think it's the first time I was on the cover of Billboard in 17 years! It's good to be relevant again. It's going to be exciting to do it live.
What can fans expect at your show?
For the very first time we're gonna do the entire CD itself, live, with all my hits from "I Think I Love You" to "I Woke Up In Love This Morning" and "Cherish" and all the great songs I think people are familiar with.
How did you get your start in show business?
I always sang. I was the guy who was the soloist in the choir in church and school. Two weeks after I graduated high school I moved back to New York and I pursued my career as an actor. A guy from CBS films saw me in a show and flew me to L.A. I did a screen test. I got myself an agent. I landed leads in Marcus Welby, Ironside, Bonanza and Mod Squad the year right before I did the pilot for The Partridge Family.
Would you ever do TV again?
Yeah. I've actually got a project that we just got a green light on that I'm going to hopefully produce. I've stayed away from it. You know, when you do a TV series it owns your life. And I really don't want to have anything own my life other than my own life and my family.
What kind of show is it?
It's a half hour and it's a comedy and its got music in it. If it becomes something real I'll be happy to talk about it.
What do you think of reality shows?
I think that the genre itself is a cheap exhausting one. I'm dead tired of it. Everything is a contest. Frankly, it holds no interest for me.
One reality show, which was completely shocking, was Danny Bonaduce's show.
I never saw it, but I heard from people that it was -
Dark?
Dark and frightening. I love the guy, always will. I have a lot of compassion for him. I hope that he gets his life together.What's your wildest fan story?
I have the most outrageous fan stories. A girl lived between my air conditioning unit and my outside wall of my bathroom for over a month. Slept there, lived there. It boggles my mind.
Have you noticed the young rock bands today adopting the classic young David Cassidy look?
If it was cool then, it'll be cool again. The beautiful part of our culture now, if we can find a beautiful part of it, is that you can either have your head shaved or you can have it long, it doesn't matter. In the '60s, growing up, it was growing your hair - it became part of our culture and our generation. As a teenager it was part of who I was. I just happened to have a great hair stylist. He put the shag on me, and then he put it on Jane Fonda and then he put it on like 15 other people. Everybody used to go 'I want David Cassidy's hair cut'. But yeah, I've seen a lot of younger rock bands today who have it. If it works, God bless 'em.
Did you ever think about growing the hair longer, just for the heck of it?
In reality, I don't have enough hair to grow long like that again. Instead of embarrassing myself now, I wouldn't. I don't think it would quite have the same look.
David Cassidy
Where: House of Blues
When: Saturday, June 9, 9pm
Tickets: $42-$57 via 236-BLUE or www.ticketmaster.com
