David Cassidy on the Web
'Rockits' man: David Cassidy spoofs image of faded rock star
July 28, 2009
By Amy Amatangelo
www.bostonherald.com
Alexa Vega and David Cassidy are pictured.
David Cassidy knows it sounds silly when actors talk about something as the best project they've ever done.
But he can't help himself. Cassidy stars as rocker David Gallagher in the new ABC Family series "Ruby & the Rockits" (tonight at 8:30). His brother, Patrick Cassidy, co-stars as his brother Patrick. His brother Shaun is the executive producer; youngest brother Ryan is the show's set director. Stepmother Shirley Jones (and Patrick, Shaun and Ryan's mother) has agreed to guest as his TV mom. He's hoping daughter Katie Cassidy, who will star in CW's "Melrose Place" remake in the fall, will also pop in for a visit.
"It is a true family affair. This has been a remarkable journey," Cassidy said in a recent telephone interview from Los Angeles. "It's the best experience I've ever had in all the work I've ever done. It's the best role I've ever had. I get up in the morning excited to go to work."
The idea for the series began about six years ago when David, Patrick and Shaun performed together at a charity benefit.
"It was the only time the three of us had ever worked together," Cassidy said. "We just cried laughing, and I said to them, 'You know, probably an idea to do before we die would be to do a half-hour comedy. I think there is a great opportunity to do a real sophisticated, smart family television show with music.' "
Cassidy enjoys spoofing himself as a rock star whose peak of fame came decades ago.
"Shaun and I have both written songs for the show satirizing our rock star pasts," he said. "I've met so many egomaniacs that are rock 'n' roll stars or wannabes and also movie stars and television stars that believe what David Gallagher believes about himself."
Alexa Vega ("Spy Kids") co-stars as his onscreen daughter Ruby. Vega is about the same age Cassidy was when he rose to fame playing Keith Partridge on "The Partridge Family' in 1970. Although he had fans sleeping outside his home and following him everywhere, he thinks it's even more challenging to be a teen star today.
"Everyone has a cell phone or a camera, and now the media is all about celebrity and scandal," he said. "I think the stakes are so much higher and the pitfalls are so much greater. It's a different world. It's a crueler world. It's a much more scrutinized world. I'm glad I'm not 18."
To what does he attribute his nearly 40-year career? "The reason I have been able to sustain is I never pursued money or fame," he said. "All of it came to me because of my work. That's why I'm doing what I'm doing. I love the work. Even when I went through so many financial difficulties, I never took a job to pay my rent. It's always been about what I love to do and pursuing it."
