David Cassidy on the Web
Time to scream! David Cassidy comes to Lycian Centre
'70s teen idol drops by Sugar Loaf
October 21, 2011
By Barry Lewis
Times Herald-Record
www.recordonline.com
David Cassidy has spent much of his adult life running.
First from the frenzy of adolescent girls who seemed willing to go to whatever lengths to get near the pop superstar, and later from the squeaky-clean image of his TV alter ego Keith Partridge, who wouldn't be caught dead with the admitted "wild boy" Cassidy who experimented with everything from LSD to heroin, with alcohol always in the mix.
The 61-year-old entertainer says he's not running anymore as he deals with the challenges facing his personal and professional life.
He laughs at the irony in that statement as he's forced to sit in the parking lot known as Los Angeles' Interstate 405, sirens from firetrucks breaking through the cellphone conversation. It's a reminder to him how much he hates the West Coast, why he prefers to live in Florida, travel to see his son in Boston and summer in Saratoga Springs.
Earlier this month Cassidy sued the Sony Corp., claiming it had withheld from him millions in royalty money from the merchandising since "The Partridge Family" first debuted in 1970.
About the same time he thanked fans on his website for their support as he deals with his mother Evelyn Ward's long battle with Alzheimer's.
Neither issue will keep Cassidy from what he says is his lifelong calling to perform. He is embarking on a mini-concert tour that will take him Thursday to the Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts in Sugar Loaf, where he'll entertain with "I Think I Love You," "I Woke Up in Love This Morning" and "Cherish," songs that some 40 years ago made him an international star.
How are you dealing with your mother's disease?
She's been in 24-hour nursing care for the last five years with advanced stages of severe Alzheimer's and dementia. She only recognizes me and one other person who has been caring for her. This is an opportunity for me to share what my own personal experiences have been, as painful and as difficult as they've been. I'm her only living relative. I don't want my children or yours or anyone else's kids to have to go through what I've gone through. You're doing more than just caring for your mom.
I did a PSA a few days ago for Alzheimer's research and prevention. I'm going to try and champion this as much as I possibly can. Early next year I plan to speak in front of Congress to try to see if we can create something very specific to deal with this.
Your parents were both actors. What got you into music?
It began when I saw the old "Ed Sullivan Show." I went out and bought an electric guitar and learned to play all Beatles songs and then got into Hendrix and artists like him. Years later I got to be close friends with John and Yoko. He was very much a mentor to me. We shared a lot of the same experiences. He was generous with his time and wisdom.
What did he tell you?
He was very philosophical — also the most honest and direct person. He said, "I can't imagine what it must be like doing what you're doing. When we were playing the arenas and the stadiums, if I didn't have the other three lads with me I would have lost my mind or jumped out of a window." I said, "Yeah, we've all thought about this."
Short of the Beatles or maybe Elvis, there wasn't anyone who ever experienced the sudden adulation. Was there any help for you?
Truth is, in the beginning, those first few years, no. I was on my own. I had a couple of close friends from school who would travel with me. I probably would have lost my mind without them. It was only me. I didn't have the Partridge Family on the road. The Partridge Family never performed together. Although I did get Danny (Bonaduce) to finally learn how to play one of our hits. He comes up onstage occasionally with me. He might come to New York. He's remained a friend of mine.
Is it true a woman once hid in your air conditioning unit?
Living there for a month. People used to sleep in front of my gate. Oh man, people would follow me, I'd have to go through different entrances of the studio. It was insane, truly. Their voices have dropped a few octaves, but they're still amazingly supportive. They still scream.
In your suit against Sony, you claim you were "swindled" on your share of profits, notably your image on merchandise.
I still don't know how much money is owed to me because they've never opened their books to me. They breached our contract a number of times, which I can certainly prove. The bottom line is, whether they like it or not, we worked as business partners, and by contractual obligation we still are. For decades they never sent me statements, therefore we could not audit them. It's going to be a long and probably very unpleasant experience, but I'd love to sit down with them and just be fair. I'm not a greedy man, but corporate greed is unfortunate in our country.
Was there a piece of merchandise that you found really offensive or surprising?
Yes, the David Cassidy dress. That and the David Cassidy gray plastic five-string guitar. That was really offensive. I thought it was really wrong.
You did "Celebrity Apprentice." Will you go on any others?
That was the last one. I did it for charity. I'm sorry, but those are not, how shall I say, real people. It's not for me. I'd rather perform for people.
