Echo Arena , Liverpool

 At the beginning of May 2019 I spent a few days in Liverpool. I was to meet with my English friends and  I also wanted to see the city. It was very cold and  windy , but it was a great stay, I loved Merseyside Maritime Museum , and especially Walker Art Gallery with just amazing collection of the 20th century works , also  Lucian Freud's and David Hockney's paintings , and   Liverpool is a great walking city , so I walked a lot through the streets of  The Beatles' native hometown . I was to meet with my friends at the Royal Albert Dock  and because I came there too early , I started just strolling aimlessly at the Dock and in the area,  at last I found a nice bench ,  sat down and started searching Internet for the Echo Arena..Yes, very funny , it was just about 200 meters from my bench...Echo Arena, David Cassidy played there his last concert in the UK , on November 17 th, 2012..His very first concert in England was not far from the Echo Arena, at Belle Vue , in Manchester , in March  1973.

In 2012 DC played 21 concerts in the US, 2 were cancelled because of DC's ill health .And 7 in the UK. It was 'Once In A Lifetime Tour' , a tour of some of the biggest stars of the 70s pop scene -  Smokie , Hot Chocolate, Leo Sayer and  David Cassidy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9Au4VYZjcc

'The fans were in nostalgia wonderland eager for a closer glimpse of their teen idol , lots of screaming and waving going on.(..) He chatted with the fans (a bit too much) " (www.nostalgiagigs.com, Nov12, 2012). During that tour DC also faught with a virus infection , but fans didn't care  and besides they were singing with him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UADoFmyqgYw

It was always like that, the UK fans were singing with and for David. Even in the 70s. From the first DC's visit in the UK in February 1972 . 'The unusual thing about the English fans is that they would sing. From about seven to ten every night , they'd be serenading me outside my hotel. For teenagers to be out alone that late, with badges, buttons and banners, singing all my songs - it was incredible ' (David Cassidy : Could It Be Forever?, 2007)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo6o2QQbGI0

The US' concerts were different. Less chatting , more playing, and a litlle bit different set lists. 

On April 14th , and it was just his second concert that year, DC performed at Magic City Casino in Miami. It was one of his best concerts in 2010s , also because he concentrated on music, not chatting with audience, he sang complete, uninterrupted versions of his hits. He got a standing ovation when he sang in tribute for Davy Jones , 'Daydream Believer' and 'I'm Believer'.

Another great concert was on July 14th , when DC  played for more than 10 000 audience at the Des Plaines Summer Fling (Des Plaines, Il), a 90 minute , very energetic performance. David talked a little ,joking about his thinning hair and a fractured finger. He also shared memories about Davy Jones . Each of his band's members had their own solos , and all of them were outstanding. From a fan review :' He radiated an incredible amount of energy and happiness (..) He would say a few words between songs , but the pace never slowed down. From a purely musical standpoint , his voice and ability on the guitar were fantastic.'(..) Aside from his obvious showmanship  the best quality  David has going for him is his personality.' ( Kristi Paddock, DC website). From that concert - 'Crossroads'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDbs_ontXtg

But that year the last concert scheduled on December 29th was also cancelled..

On December 23th died David Cassidy's mother , Evelyn Ward ..

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/The_Echo_arena_-_geograph.org.uk_-_903491_%28cropped%29.jpg