Love Is All That I Ever Needed. Chapter 27. The Last Kiss
In some interviews in 1983 and 1984, David mentioned recording a new album. A few notes
appeared that he was working with Jimmy Webb, or recording in Nashville with a well known
producer Larry Butler.
In July 1983 he sang with The Philadelphia Pops Orchestra. It was just
one concert and he wasn’t the only performer that 4th of July evening, but it was wonderful
to sing for people again as David Cassidy, not as a character on stage.
He also said in one interview about making a pilot for a series of comedy half-hours, with
music, co-producing with one of The Partridge Family producers. He wanted to be successful
again and earn good money to pay his debts. It was easy talking about creativity and artistic
independence when he was at the top and a millionaire.
David was still a teen idol material, a
great pop singer and had many fans in the UK.
But a lot of people were genuinely surprised when, in early November of 1984, David was
seen in London at the very posh club, Xenon, at the premiere of the new album of the most popular British pop group, duo 'Wham!'
The group consisted of George Michael and Andrew
Ridgeley. Among the famous guests were Koo Stark (Prince Andrew’s ex- girlfriend), Limalh,
Martin Kemp and other famous young and fashionable musicians of the London scene and -
“behold, ex-Partridge Family singer David Cassidy looking nowhere his 34 years in skintight
black toreador pants (gasp!) and an abbreviated vest.”
Many of the most popular English pop singers in the 80s were David’s fans in the 70s, and
George Michael was one of them. Without doubt David’s singing style was an inspiration for
him.
In December David was again in America. He wed Meryl Tanz at their friends’ house in
Maryland. He returned to London very shortly, on January 4, 1985. This time not alone but
with his new wife and his step-daughter, 9-year old Caroline. He came to work, to finish,
release and promote his new album. To become a star again.
That album, ‘Romance’ was released in May 1985, by Arista Records, but not in the USA,
which was a strange decision. A lot of Arista executives must have had second thoughts about
it after a single from it, ‘The Last Kiss’ became a great hit in Europe. Clive Davis, the Arista
president, still didn’t value David much.
The album was produced by Alan Tarney. Born in 1945, a musician and a songwriter, but first
of all a successful producer, Cliff Richard’s and the Norwegian sensation, trio A-ha.
There were 10 songs on the album and 7 were co-written by David and Alan Tarney. Some of
them were Cliff Richard’s songs rewritten with new titles.
In many interviews David said
that he was an incorrigible romantic, always looking for romance and passion, and of course he was. He was singing
love songs all his life, in every decade.
‘Romance’ was a solid, mainstream pop album from the mid 80s. A lot of that kind were
released at the time, especially in Europe. The songs were very suitable for David’s strong
and passionate voice and his temperament.
The single from that album, ‘The Last Kiss’, with George Michael’s backing vocals. became number 6
in February, ‘She Knows All About Boys’ was a hit in Europe too, and the album peaked at
number 20 in the UK, in June 1985.
The 80s was the decade of music videos and David filmed two, with ‘Last Kiss' and ‘Romance’.
It was an opportunity for him to show his acting skills and to seduce the audience again.
He looked sensational with a new, blond haircut, and was very sexy. And his sex-appeal was
used again. In one program he gave an interview sitting in the bath and drinking champagne,
he also did a very racy photo session with Samantha Fox, a famous topless model from Page
3 in The Sun.
David was working very hard promoting himself and his new music. In 1985, in
the UK itself, he appeared on more than 20 TV programs, including his first live performance
on Top Of The Pops. He also was on TV shows in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy and
Germany.
He became a real friend with George Michael, at the time a global teen idol, 13 years his junior.
In June 1985, in ‘Ritz’ magazine a very unique interview with David was published, "David
Cassidy by George Michael". It was more a conversation than an interview, very sincere and
sophisticated, led by two teen idols, two great singers and musicians, but first of all two friends.
David said: ‘I want success again. I wouldn’t be doing it otherwise. Singing and performing, it
becomes like a drug. When ‘The Last Kiss’ was in the Top 10, I looked up and said - thank
you Jesus, I can still make it.’ About ‘The Last Kiss’: ‘It’s about something very real and
important that actually happened to me. Every time I sing it I keep going to the experience in
order to be real for me.’ About money he earned in the 70s: ‘I was tragically wealthy and
unhappy. You are making more money than you ever imagined - filthy money that people are
constantly trying to steal from you.’
After 11 years, David decided to take a risk and tour the UK again. He played 20 concerts,
starting on September 21, the last one was on October 26. His performances at the Royal
Albert Hall in London, on October 21 and 22 were filmed, recorded and released a year later.
But not in the USA.
The tour was a great success. He had a fantastic and very professional band with Keith and
Tim Atack from popular 70s teen band, ‘Child’. Everywhere was enthusiastically received
playing old hits and new songs.
On the Albert Hall video we can admire his commitment, the
scale and range of his fabulous voice, stage presence, energy, sense of humor, sex-appeal, his joy and
happiness that he was performing live again. Giving and taking back the love and understanding
they shared from the very beginning. David Cassidy and his fans.
In the fall of 1985, the future looked very promising.
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