David Cassidy Being Together

It's been so difficult to find the right title for today's blog, because at first I wanted to write only about the video Jane has published today on the website.  About Kelly Hennessa who was in coma as a result of a terrible car accident in 2015. She's been a fan of David all her life, and that's why her husband played her DC's songs. He noticed Kelly responded to music and after two months she came out of the coma.  It's wonderful and moving that Kelly and her husband, Greg, were able to meet with DC, and later attended his concert at The Birchmere, in Alexandria, VA, on January 31, 2016. https://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/TvFilmPages/2016Jan31_Fox5News.html What an amazing story. Also journalists were moved, and what can I say about us. So much love and compassion, a fellow fan rescued by her idol and the music she loved. But first all by the man who loved her. Her husband. I can't even imagine what this story, this real life drama, what it meant for Da...

On November 4, 1971 an article appeared on The Albuquerque Jurnal, about upcoming DC's concert in that town on November 8th.  It was called, "David Cassidy Sings 'Point Me' In Albuquerque". He said in a telephone interview, "Actually I've been dying to sing this song in Albuquerque. It was on one of my albums and it did quite well, I hear." It did not bad. The song was recorded in summer of 1970, and appeared on the first album called The Partridge Family Album, released in September 1970, peaked at no 4 on Billboard on January 2nd 1971. And on charts for 68 WEEKS. The song was used in the episode 22 from Season 1. It was called 'Road Song' and first aired on February 26, 1971. The script written by Dale McRaven, later Susan Dey's boy friend. A very memorable episode not only that a lot of filming was done outside the Partridges' house, there are more like that episodes in Season 1, but first of all because the plot was quite serious...

From the very beginning Ruth Aarons wanted David to play concerts. There was real money to be made, and already in the winter of 1970 Ruth made the first booking for him, for $8000.  Not bad for someone who never really played concerts. Only in his high school band (DC played drums) and some garage bands. He sang on Broadway, but he had 2 or 3 short musical numbers singing in duet and he was just a member of the cast, not a solo act. It was something completely different going out on stage alone, and singing  for thousands of fans who wanted to see and hear a favourite star, for girls so in love with him.  In 1971 DC's schedule was insane. So much responsibility and stress. Working non stop filming and promoting the show, recording and promoting TPF's music. And on weekends he was playing concerts, the first one on March 26th, and the last one on December 5th. He only didn't play concerts in April (but there were rehearsals) and of course when he had his gall bladder oper...

Adam Miller's first album title. And I'm sure many fans have no idea who Adam Miller was. In a way I don't know either, he is such a mysterious figure, I'm afraid he died young and no one remembers him. But we should. Let's listen first to Adam Miller singing the song he wrote, and David Cassidy recorded it first for his 'Cherish' album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybu1sKxdoPw It's like returning to the 60s again, DC's version is more contemporary, and more optimistic, but I like Adam's voice, melancholic maybe, there is something in it, attracts attention, mine at least.  Both Adam Miller's albums (1972, 1974) were produced by Wes Farrell, released on Wes' own label, Chelsea Records. And what's more, Terry Cashman and Tommy West produced some of his songs and even did backing vocals on them. Great musicians played on his first album - Max Bennett, Larry Carlton, Hal Blaine, Louie Shelton and Mike Melvoin. The Partridge Family but...

Tony Romeo died on this day, in 1995. He was 56. Probably a heart attack, he was survived by his mother and his brother.  In the 60s and the 70s he recorded several his songs himself, but was much better songwriter than a singer. He was one of those rare songwriters capable of writing both music and lyrics. Over 150 his songs were recorded, by Diana Trask, Brotherhood of Man, Al Martino, The Cowsills, Lou Christie, The Seekers, The Everly Brothers, to name a few. His songs were used in films, 'Rain Man' and 'Gaby: A True Story'. He created commercial jingles, worked as a record producer.. In David Cassidy he found the perfect interpretator of his fabulous songs. They became friends, there was a mutual understanding and admiration. When they met, DC was 20, Tony Romeo 32. https://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/TvFilmPages/PebbleMillShow.html The Partridge Family was a great show, and it's still appreciated not only for nostalgia value, but because it had great acting a...

It's strange, but whenever a pic with DC smoking a cigarette is published on a group dedicated to him, it raises maybe not controversy, but there will always be someone who has to be surprised that DC smoked at all and how horrible and unlike him it was. Or 'is', because some fans keep writing about DC in the present tense. But he did smoke, like many in the 60s or 70s (me included), but he was also very aware of his teen idol image. He said in October 1971, "Sometimes I yell at the top of my lungs. Not at people. Only when I am all by myself.(...) I was in my room alone and yelled a word which I better not repeat. It's not becoming of a teen age idol." And besides smoking he did other things undercover. It became a habit of him. A second nature. "Like a lot of people, I turned to substance abuse. But I did it very quietly. No one ever knew what I was doing.." (May 1994). Some fans simply ignored his Rolling Stone's confession. For them DC was Ke...

Thanks to Marjon Hoogendam-Landmeter, we now have on The David Cassidy Official Website a very interesting article called, 'The New EFX Master. David Cassidy takes the stage at The MGM Grand'. 'Casino Player, January 1977. I've read this article once, but not the original issue and without those wonderful pics. Written by Bobby Katz, who at the beginning revealed to us that in the 70s was TPF's fan ; DC was photographed (great pics) by Mark Lawson Shepard. David Cassidy looking like a million dollars, sexy and fit, his irresistible smile on all the pics but one where we see him working. This is very sincere interview, worth reading, even that we know by heart ups and downs of DC's carrer. He said a lot about his father, Jack. "Fame was great because it made me feel less rejected. It made me feel accepted and loved, which is what I always wanted to feel from my dad." https://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/InPrintPages/Mag1997January_CasinoPlayer.html And ...

Another great song written by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown for The Partridge Family. Other ones are, 'I Woke Up In Love This Morning' of course, and 'Am I Losing You'. But I've thought about this song because Robin Silva has posted on David Cassidy Greatest Fans Group a very nice pic of DC and his stand-in Jan Freeman. Blame the weather (it's awfully hot), that while sitting in the shade on my veranda and doing nothing, I've been thinking (a little bit) about the 70s, DC and ..some girls. And this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzy4ahHd8Ng Btw I've just noticed a comment under this video and who knows maybe it was actually written by Lawrence Brown himself, anyway he wrote 7 years ago, "My late great partner Irwin Levine and I both always felt besides our million selling  I Woke Up In Love This Morning -  This was the best song David did of ours. And I'll be eternally thankful to him for it." Really nice. But let's return to...

Few things have put me in a good mood lately like the news that Louise Poynton's book, 'Cherish David Cassidy A Legacy Of Love' has been added to the West Orange Public Library Collection. It's happend at the dedication ceremony to mark the opening of the new library. Joseph Fagan who is West Orange Town historian presented a specially signed copy. And because I'm a former librarian, I've checked how the library looks like (nice) and the West Orange Library's page and its online catalog, and yes, 'Cherish' is avaliable.  What a wonderful idea to donate this fabulous book. It's so moving that now in the place where David Cassidy spent his formative years, and his family roots can be traced to 1666, there is a book about him at the local library I hope to visit West Orange myself.. one day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_NLsMHsyoM Thank you Joseph Fagan. And of course I took my own copy of Louise Poynton's book from the shelf, and I was lost...

It happens quite often. We read the news that someone connected with David Cassidy, someone who worked with him in any decade of his long career, that such a person has passed away..died. That list is very long now, that's life and we can't do anything about it. But for whatever reason I felt really sad today when I read in the morning that Mark James died. Actually he died a few days ago, he was 83, like my parents, who still live and have plans for the future..maybe it was one of the reasons..Mark James, born in Houston, Texas, was a successful songwriter. He wrote songs for his very close friend B.J. Thomas, for Elvis (among them 'Suspicious Minds' and "Always On My Mind'), Brenda Lee to name a few. In 1972 he signed a long-term contract with Screen Gems - Columbia Music. In 1973 'Blood, Sweat & Tears' released Mark James song called..'Roller Coaster' as a single. Let's listen to that version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyuj3Wuv8...

I've read an article recently (Simon Usborne, Daily Telegraph) about the 60th anniversary of Top Of The Pops. The first edition was actually on 1 January, 1964. Its hayday was the 70s, when it attracted 15 million viewers each week (amazing) and of course we, teens in Poland, heard about TOTP, and we thought it was terribly unfair that we couldn't watch it. I've only learnt from the article that first performing acts had to mime (lip-sync) to the commercially released records, but in 1966 miming was banned. So everybody had to make a new recording for the show, or at least recorded backing track first. Anyway in the early 70s DC should have performed on TOTP many times, he had 2 UK No1s and 5 UK Top 10, and of course UK No1s album (in 1973). But he couldn't because of problems with security. His performances had to be filmed outside the BBC TV Centre or if at the studio without the audience, and always in secret.  So that's why on Christmas 1973 special edition of T...

The last song from the last David Cassidy's RCA album, called 'Gettin' It In The Street', recorded in February 1976, scheduled for release in November, and cruelly shelved at the last minute. I just can't imagine how hard it was for David.  So much time and work wasted, just like that. He co-produced this album with Gerry Beckley, wrote or co-wrote 7 songs, and made great cover of other 2. Wonderful album, for adults, full of passion, sadness, loneliness, anger and sarcastic humor. Music was darker and more rock than on his 2 previous RCA albums.  David's voice more mature and huskier, also because the album was recorded at the famous studios at the Caribou Ranch, in the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado. Between 1972 and 1985 the greatest artists, the who is who of the music scene worked there, including David Cassidy.  He again made amazing progress, as a producer, songwriter and first of all as a singer David had great hopes regarding that album. It had quite a lo...

So far I haven't written enough about David Cassidy's popularity in Germany. He had a lot of fans there. Some of them very special and important. Tina Funk started 'The Just David Fan Club' in Germany, in May 1974. She published a newsletter in German and in 1975 Tina's friend, Urda Voss, started a sister club, 'The David Cassidy Fan Club' with the newsletter in English. It was called 'Da-idy Newsletter' and Urda's club was changed later into the Official Club for Europe. In 1981 Cathy Ortiz decided to start her fan club in America, and she called it 'The Da-idy Fan Club'. When she learnt about Urda's club, they decided to meet and work together, and they met in Calgary, in Canada (and some other fans too), in June 1982, because at the time DC performed in 'Tribute' at Stage West Dinner Theatre there. You can read the story of DC's fan clubs here, and also see some great pics of Tina, Urda and Cathy with David Cassidy. htt...

"Remember me when you feel this way.." And today it has been such a day. Tracey Hather from our GB group has written in the early afternoon, "Felling a bit nostalgic" and she posted some wonderful pics of DC. I feel like that too. It has started in the morning when I read about new planned films, biopics, whatever we called them, The Beatles (again), Dolly Parton. Stevie Nicks. We've had a lot of biopics recently. And there will be a new one soon, about young Bob Dylan. Will we ever see a film about David? About the time when he was a superstar..I don't think so. Later some new/old, unknown David Cassidy's pics have been published on the David Cassidy-Greatest Fans Group, really outstanding. Robin Silva has put it the best, "Every time I see a new picture of David. I'm in love all over again". Exactly. I just can't find words what it means for us, David Cassidy's fans to see or hear something new. But how many of us are left? And th...

Two days ago I got a comment (from Lyn Baker) about my entry called 'Something's Wrong', that many fans regard 'Notebook' as the best TPF album and that it would be great to have a vinyl edition of it. And I smiled to myself and thought that each and every TPF album was the best, and answered that I'd love to have such a vinyl too.  From 'Notebook'. Written by Austin Roberts and John Michael Hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32_0ZRhcOZQ The music scene is from S3 E21, 'Forgive Us Our Debts', first aired in March 1973. Btw with great Alan Oppenheimer, who first met 19-year-old DC on the set of 'Ironside'. Alan Oppenheimer is 94 and his last credit (voice) is from 2022. Incredible. But during the last two days I've been thinking a little bit if it's possible to decide which TPF's album was the best. Or at least which one I regard as the best.  The music critics, and I think most of the fans would have said that 'Sound Mag...

Yes, David Cassidy's version from his 'Didn't You Used To Be' album, released in 1992 was a cover. A great one, but a cover nevertheless. The original, written and recorded by American R&B singer Dee Clark was released in April 1961. It was one of the most popular song that year (according to Wikipedia), an international hit, and of course DC remembered it very well from his school days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUnwOwz6OvQ I've never heard about Dee Clark in my life, I was born in 1962 and to 1989 lived in a communist country so only a very tiny fraction of American's music was played on our radio. On the David Cassidy Official Website we can read that 'Raindrops' was written by Dee Clark, David Cassidy and Sue Shiffrin, so it looks like they were written this song together in 1992. At least that's what I've thought for some time. Don't get me wrong, David Cassidy could make any song, even the most famous hit, his own. That's ...

It was a great hit in 1983. The song and of course the video. Also in Poland, still a communist country in the 80s. I was a huge Elton's fan in the early and mid 70s, but not later.  I didn't like 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart', and I coudn't forgive Elton John playing concerts in the Soviet Union in 1979. I was young and radical. I've rediscovered Elton many years later when I became a die hard DC fan. And today, first time after a long time because of illness, I've been working in my garden feeling really happy and fit, and at one moment this song has just started playing in my head. David Cassidy singing 'I'm Still Standing' in London, in 1985. Originally it was a song about saying goodbye to a girlfriend. I'm ok and no worries. But for Elton John and especially for David it was about starting again and surviving. About not giving up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hefeE3zAJ6Q What a great video made by Sharon Angulot. There are some co...

It has taken me some time to really appreciate The Partridge Family 'Notebook', released in November 1972. This album shows how great, mature pop singer David Cassidy became in 1972, he made those songs (some average) really great. Maybe let's start with the song which wasn't released in America as a single, and in my opinion it was a huge mistake.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtmgENKr3x4 It was released as a single in Europe, also in Netherlands (the pic from The David Cassidy Official Website. Such a memorable scene, btw I've recently read that during filming it Danny annoyed David so much that he threw the microphone in Danny's direction.. I don't know if it's true, but of course 1972 was extremely difficult for DC, he was overworked. That year he recorded 2 TPF's albums, and 2 solo albums,  Season 3 was filmed, and it's difficult to believe but in 1972 David Cassidy played 61 concerts in the US. Everywhere. No wonder he could often lose h...

Or maybe it should be 'David Cassidy in conversations with Ed Stewart'.  But first  Happy Birthday Tom B ähler, he had birthday yesterday. Born in 1943, and as we can read in Wikipedia, "Together with the Wrecking Crew, the B ähler brothers have sung, produced and arranged hundreds of worldwide hits", but for us Tom B ähler (and other members of Ron Hicklin Singers) was not just a backing singer for David, but he was often The Partridge Family's vocal arranger, and it was Tom who in fact was 'Bulletin Board' producer. Wonderful man, he talked about his admiration for David's talent and his work for The Partridge Family in many interviewes. So let's listen to Tom and his older brother John, Ron Hicklin and Jackie Ward. From The Partridge Family Album, a song written by Cynthia Weil, (who died exactly one year ago on June 1, 2023), and her husband Barry Mann. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0K1p51pBLo What a great song, The Wrecking Crew at its best...

Being David Cassidy's fan has always been an emotional experience. Even now, after he's gone, all the time something new appears and David makes us happy once more. We are so lucky being his fans. And of course we love his music, his voice. I can't have enough of most of his songs. 'Heart Of Emotion' is one of them. Yesterday I got on Google Alerts a new tribute video, and normally I don't watch them, but because it was 'Heart Of Emotion'.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TYteXMzddE Oh yes..Someone has written in comment what heart of emotion means when we think of David now. Makes us happy and sad at the same time, because we still care. So true. But first of all it's an amazing, beautiful song, absolutely special, sensual and sexy. In conversation with George Michael for Ritz magazine, published in June 1985, DC said about The Last Kiss, "It's about something very real and important that actually happened to me. Every time I sing it I kee...