Could It Be Forever. Remembering Wes Farrell

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Let's start with the great song Wes Farrell's co-written (with Danny Janssen) for David Cassidy. DC recorded it on his first solo album, and we have this wonderful video, 'Could It Be Forever' sung live on Estelar Del Sabado, in Spain, in March 1973. It's just my thought  of course, but the way he was singing this song, the lyrics not exactly how they should be, and the omission of 'but'..maybe because at that time he was not any longer on speaking terms with Wes Farrell, who knows..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuwVS2DqhzE

If he had lived, on December 21 Wesley Donald Farrell would have celebrated his 85th birthday. He died 28 years ago, in February 1996, only 56 years old. Once someone so important, a musician, record producer and a songwriter. And he co-written some great hits, including this one, 'Hang On Sloopy', recorded for the first time by The McCoys in 1965 (Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100), and later by many famous artists. Really a lot of different videos on YT, with millions of views. Btw, this video is from 1975.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbZq5idUJcI

'Hang On Sloopy' from the start was a favourite song for countless of garage bands, and sure young DC played it many times.

Wes Farrell also co-penned another great hit from the 60s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu9j4syEJDE

In 1968 Wes Farrell produced The Cowsills, and three songs were written for the group..by Tony Romeo. 'Indian Lake' written by Tony and produced by Wes, reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold more than 1 million copies. 

When Wes Farrell was hired by Screen Gems and Bell Records, he was 30 and already a very experienced and successful producer and songwriter. He knew what he wanted to achive, what was expected from him and why he was hired. He was to repeat The Monkees' success. Wes was sure of himself, he was the boss and he knew how to make a big pop hit. In 1969 for him David could have been only a singer, not a partner. Of course if he was good enough. If not, David was just to pretend singing on the set, just like the rest of actors hired as the Partridges, except for Shirley Jones.

The story of this collaboration, David's struggle to be treated as a serious musician and a songwriter is truly fascinating, Wes had a strong personality, but we can say the same about David. What Wes thought about the songs written by very young and inexperienced DC? Some of those early songs were rejected, as not good enough, some were recorded for Partridge Family or on solo DC's albums produced by Wes,  some were changed by Wes and his name was added as a co -writer...

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

Today I've been listening to Louise Poynton's conversation (from April 2022) with a famous songwriter and music producer Mike Appel, who together with Jim Cretecos (and a little help from Wes) penned 5 famous The Partridge Family's hits. 

Mike Appel is a great talker, and the answer for the first question took him several minutes, but what a great conversation it was, and in many moments very moving, especially when he was talking about David, his struggles and his loneliness, a lack of good management. About the Partridge Family's songs which stood the test of time and how good they were, about his astonishment how many people still love those songs, and how well they are remembered by fans all around the world. 

He remembered Wes Farrell with a smile and gratitude for the opportunity to take part in that project. He appreciated Wes professionalism, his courage and enthusiasm as a music producer. Mike Appel is a wonderful and very interesting man and I truly enjoyed listening to this conversation.

https://thedavidcassidyconnections.libsyn.com/mike-appel

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