February 1974. 'Just A Singer'

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I've been reading recently old articles we have on the David Cassidy Official Website, the articles published in February 1974. 

50 years ago a lot was written about the first leg of DC's World Tour. Very interesting read. Great expectations and a lot of disappointments. especially for Harry M. Miller, a known promoter, publicist and media agent. 

The company he co-owned, Pan Pacific, promoted many concert and theatrical tours in Australia and New Zealand, especially in the 60s. Great names. He also produced the Australian production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and other musicals.. But David's tour, especially in New Zealand, proved a very costly mistake for Harry M. Miller.

We don't have any videos or even audio from the New Zealand concerts, just a few photos, a review and a set list, that's all. Let's see DC performing in Australia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfsuyDD9tnE

So in February 1974 a lot was written about security and DC's planned concert at Eden Park. On February 20, 1974,  two British security men, Don Murfet and Jerry Slater arrived in Auckland. "They have studied plans of the Eden Park layout, where Cassidy will hold his one New Zealand concert. They will brief 50 security men who will be at the concert.(...) His (DC) accomodation will be kept a secret." (article from February 20)

Even more was written about the chosen venue, 22,500 seat Eden Park, David's was to be the first concert ever played there. Eden Park was built as a sports venue, mostly cricket and rugby. David was to arrive and leave in helicopter. Harry Miller's publicist said, "It's about the only way we can ensure he gets there on time and undamaged." One of the reasons for using Eden Park was that everyone could be seated and even the smallest fan could see David...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EqEYCEUAEM

But when David did arrived he received a low-key welcome, as we can read in this article called 'Just a Singer'.

https://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/InPrintPages/News1974Feb23_DunedinStarNZ.pdf

After he arrived it was announced that because of the bad weather forecast, the venue was changed from Eden Park to Auckland Town Hall for two smaller shows. But of course the weather wasn't the reason. For David's concert at Eden Park only about 3000 tickets were sold. Two shows at the Town Hall meant only 4000 fans..

Harry M. Miller,"Even the publicity campaign we mounted behind the Cassidy tour turned round and bit us. By building our expectations of of vast throngs, we fell into the trap off frightening off parents, nervous that their  children would get trampled. The whole enterprise was a costly embarrassment.."

https://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/ConcertPages/1974AussieTourDetails.html

the pic - David Cassidy performing in Auckland Town Hall, February 27, 1974. The David Cassidy Official Website

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