One of the highest prices David paid for his fame in the 70s was his total loss of privacy. This was mentioned in practically every article about him at the time, followed by a quote from him saying that it was worth it because he loved what he did, loved his fans and knew that one day the fame would subside. He was grateful that The Partridge Family was the springboard for a lifelong entertainment career.
But then, his autobiography "Could it be Forever" comes out in 2007 in the UK and he makes the round of TV interviews bemoaning how he lost five years of his life during that time. (I calculate four years because I'm pretty sure his star had dimmed quite a lot by 1975, especially with him being very reclusive after he quit touring, but whatever.)
So, the price wasn't worth it, Mr. Cassidy?
He admits he never would have had a recording career had it not been for the show. If he could go back in time, what would he change, I wonder? Would he turn down that pilot for The Partridge Family? I know he didn't set out to be a heartthrob, but would he have had the same impact otherwise? Maybe he just didn't want to have that impact on a generation. Then why write a book about the journey?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
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1 comment:
Great questions you ask that have got me thinking.
Although he admits to it being a money-making venture as well in the intro of his first autobiography, "C'Mon Get Happy...Fear and Loathing on the Partridge Family Bus", he also says that he's been questioned about his experience endlessly for roughly two decades (book was published in 1994), and wishes to put that behind him so that he can live in the NOW.
My understanding is that even though he liked parts of the fame and what he did, he struggled tremendously with other aspects of it (both during and after) and it changed him.
When he says he lost 5 years of his life, I think that I've heard him say that in reference to having to be KP practically every waking moment, and also to being emotionally stunted during that time (if I remember correctly, because of the isolation, fame (couldn’t form any new relationships), having to be KP, working constantly). He often says he was lost. I also look at the fact that he worked so hard for those 5 years, but ended up broke soon afterward because of thieves and inept people handling his money (ultimately his responsibility). I think he is bitter about some things and rightly so. I know there are some things that people have learned from his experience (ex. Shaun) that have helped them make better choices to get through their experience less scathed.
KC
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