"The most troubled person I ever met was David Cassidy, the teen idol of Jackson’s era, unhinged long ago by his fans. For five years girls slept outside his house, followed him everywhere, ripped his clothing, forced him into isolation, made his life empty and lonely. And then, abruptly, when he was no longer the pretty boy du jour they deserted him. Now, two divorces later, he loathes meeting old fans, because they will say, with no regard for his feelings, how old he looks — though they are mostly portly matrons themselves — or get drunk and take a grab at him. To them, he isn’t a man, just an odd manifestation of their teenage years: they own him and they let him know it."Read the rest of "The fans killed their idol. They always do" here.
I don't believe fans who respond to claims of "very off" performances by Cassidy with "we accept him as he is, an imperfect human being." No, they are still adulating him as someone they'll "love" no matter what he does. He has said in the past that he never felt worthy of all that adulation during those teen idol years (and in his own words, "Really, who is? No one is.") yet they persist in seeing him as a god on stage instead of an actual human being who might need actual help.
Love is an abused word in fandom. Fans unabashedly proclaim love for their idol but it's simply lust and greed masquerading as love: "We want more, more, MORE of you!" That "you" is a mythical being in their heart and a stranger in their life. Loving a celebrity is a bit absurd. Love his looks, talents or wares? Oh, yes! But claim to love HIM? You don't know him. You think you know him. It doesn't really matter because it's a one-way street. He'll never love you the same way. To quote Janice Turner again:
"Fandom is so grossly unequal, so self-abasing. Even when you are closest to your Special One you are humiliated by his — at best — polite indifference to your pathetic, onanistic, unreturned love."David Cassidy fans, if you think you love him, care for his well-being. His performances are declining in quality, upsetting fans and turning off critics. What's going on?
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81 comments:
Hi DD:
This is said with respect for your wonderful blog and opinion. You are great. I assumed you are a supporter and fan of David. How you would you hope to help him now? You point out that he is not doing good work. Maybe he just has some health issues, is exhausted. At his age, that does happen, but I admire him going out there. He must be doing something right because he still looks great and can dance and sing amazingly. I love seeing people in the older years in entertainment now. For a while, you had to be in your 20's to be "hot". A society that celebrates only youth is shallow.
I saw one of the concerts and was very impressed with him. Someone on the blog said people were leaving. Just not true. That kind of untruth is wrong. Are you critical that he still has fans who support him? I don't understand what you are upset about.. fan support or David. He looked ill, but still did a great performance. Your writing seems to reflect supporting David as unkind. What's so complicated about just supporting him in spite of getting through a few rough performances? I feel he should be respected as a human being and not have untrue things written, which the blog seemed to do. It seemed hurtful. When I recently discovered him, I thought, wow, he is talented. I didn't know. It's just my opinion. I'm not a life-long fan. I'm sure he's getting help as we speak and will need it after all this speculation. Geez-- When people become celebs they still are people.
Supporting a performer in the midst of trouble should be alright and encouraged. I don't think it harms David to have fans say, "You had a tough period. Go home and get together with your family. Get well and it's ok to be human, get sick ,make mistakes, just keep trying as long as you have life." In the end, it's his job and that of his family to get him through what ever is going on. I feel he should not be burdened with blogs like that one that suggested something was so terribly wrong. I just don't agree, but it's not really our business in the end. As a new fan, I appreciate his talent, even at his age.
New fan
Thanks for your comment, New fan. The problem is that it's not just a "few" rough performances. He's been chatting more than singing for a while now and his chatting seems to include rudeness to fans (once again).
My main issue is fans who think his unrehearsed performance is quirky; his rudeness, acerbic wit and his excessive chatting, connecting with fans. They are not acknowledging that his performances are sub-par; they are not saying "go home and get together with your family. Get well...". Those are the fans who worry me.
Which concert did you attend, if you don't mind my asking?
Thank you for the 'What's Going On' blog DD, some very good points are raised here and a lot of food for thought. It's amazing to me how so many fans went to these concerts and yet saw different things. It's difficult to comment when you haven't witnessed it yourself and have to draw conclusions from what others' have witnessed.
The following are true, unemotional and unbiased statements:
David's fans have no right to anything from him other than the best performance he can give on a particular day.
David has more talent and performance ability than he has been demonstrating recently.
David Cassidy has recently declared in front of witnesses 'That was Then, this is Now'. That little outburst revealed so much about how he really feels. He wants to be seen as a grown man and treated as such.
Looking out at a sea of arms desperate to touch him and faces which resemble Mowgli's entranced expression while in Kaa's hypnotic embrace are just going to re-inforce David's belief that his fans still want to see him as the David of the 70's.
He wants to move on from that and we should all allow him to. He needs the stimulus and challenge of evolving his performances and believing in his abilities again.
Fans can crow all they like about how David loves what he is doing now, loves us etc. but his actions/outbursts expose he is not content and getting artistally frustrated and bored . I would happily accept David's 'relaxed' style shows if he is truly OK with things as they are. That's the million dollar question, guess all David's fans want him to be happy but are we all doing the right things to make him happy and content.
Not only true fans go to these concerts. Some are friends or spouses who go along just to keep the fan company.
Some are people that are fair weather fans. Some were just looking for something to do on Valentine's weekend.
Most people just want a good performance and go home.
To pay good money for a ticket for someone who is not on his
game, should warrant complaints.
Look what happened to Scott from CMONGETHAPPY.com when he complained about the autograph show. David's people told him to get a life.
David's people should know better than to put him out there is this is the way he is behaving. Why are they doing this? That is what should be asked.
We will see what happens in Disney World. Kind of a strange format. They are a bunch of 30 minute shows.
Yes, lets not forget the ticket price. Relaxed,informal concerts with the occassional hiccup are one thing, but the ticket price should reflect this. David's tickets are expensive, same as a top notch Broadway/WestEnd show so the content should reflect that. If the shows continue in the ad-lib vein the price needs to come down in line with that. Only the hard core fans would feel they got value for money at the full price, and there are not enough of them to fill venues or make it worthwhile for David to perform. OK, maybe it doesn't matter so much with free shows but David still gets paid handsomely for them too.
Hopefully with Disney, the shows are close to home so he should be fit and well for those. I think these shows are usually good and well received aren't they?
I love your post today DD. Thank you for sharing that article. I don't think I've seen it. It was beautifully written. You make very eloquent arguments as well. All good points to ponder.
Oh! What to think?! British Fan, I like your idea about charging less for casual concerts he does. That is an EXCELLENT point. I also agree with what Derek said in this review about giving feedback. And like you say racehorses, asking why he is continuing to be booked without these issues being addressed is a most prudent question! People should be asking those questions and expressing their concern. Ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist is counterproductive. There are limits to what people can do to help since the catalyst for change has to come from within David ultimately. But everyone close to him and and those who care about him should be doing their part and so far, it seems there is a lot more they could be doing.
Having been to several of his concerts over the years then I can say that if you are sat near the front then his banter can be amusing but further back in the theatre his voice doesn't carry the same and you can't hear the comments to which he is responding and the show gets boring apart from the songs. Needless to say the fans at the front are the die hard ones who adore him through thick and thin yet the ones who often are forced further back are the ones who hate this incessant chat.
If David really wants to leave his past behind then he should lead the way and take us down the road he wants to go. The decreasing number of fans who are still 'hanging on' will still follow him and will embrace some new songs if done with enthusiasm and professionally. We've all had enough of the numerous Greatest Hits cds with the same mix of songs. Let him throw them together as a medley as Robbie Williams did at the Brit awards and then let's hear some new stuff.
Thanks UK fan. I agree with you there and it's nice to have some input from someone who's seen David a few times. I'm more surprised at David's apparant lack of self respect in so far as putting on a professional show. There was a time when being taken seriously and having a good work ethic meant a lot to him. There is so much more this man can give if he has faith in his own abilities and natural ability to connect with an audience. If he just wants to play to those die hards, let him invite them into his home for private shows and leave the stage to those who wish to entertain the masses. There are times I think David and his die-hards deserve each other and I'm not being complimentary here.
British Fan,
I look up someone who commented on the 3(30) minutes shows between 5-9 at Disney World.
This is not a show to go to if you are traveling to see him.
Long Waits. Unpredictable seating times.
He only has a half an hour to regroup between shows.
many people going are indifferent because they are just seeing a show at an amusement park.
He has done this before but it sounds like a tedious schedule that is not tailor made for him
Many fo the ones and the front don't really listen to his performance because unfortunately many of them are more concerned with him seeing them or giving him something (gifts, flowers, photos, etc), him holding their hands (and they later tell the LENGTH of time he held it!!??). They often can say what he sang but that he looked at them at this time, or pointed at them that time. The further back are there to really see his concert, they are the ones who get a ticket in any seat and go to just be in there to see him, not only look for the front rows tickets or nothing! I would think David is not ignorant to the fact that the front is not really listening. Nevermind how some of them dress in order for him to notice them!
American Fan
Corr. They often CAN'T say what he sang....
American Fan
I have seen many live shows over the years, both bands/singers and musical theatre. When you are near the front it's lovely to see the expressions on the artists' faces and get occassional eye contact but most good performers will play to the very back of the theatre and watching up close you can see them doing this. I have often been near the middle or back of a theatre and have never felt excluded from the 'action'. A good performer includes everyone there which is as it should be, everyone pays hard earned money for their ticket afterall and often travel/accommodation too. Live shows are expensive but worth it if you come out afterwards feeling elated and like you've ALL had a good time.
I just want to thank EVERYONE for posting their comments about David's performance. Finally, these differing perspectives are starting to make sense to me.
A very thought provoking post DD. I've read most of the posts on the link about Saturday's concert but as I wasn't there, find it difficult to deduce much from it, particularly as the comments vary so much. All in all though I do feel sad and concerned, particularly as poor press reviews are becoming frequent (a year or two ago critics praised his talent albeit were generally unimpressed by the egotism he tends to display). I can't help but think that David has been playing these casino-type venues across the US for years, performing pretty much the same show. I just don't think David is a 'routine' person, albeit he isn't performing week after week, but he never did stick at anything for years on end; that's not a criticism just an observation as to the type of person he is. I assume he makes good money doing the shows but maybe he's tied in contractually longer term so could stand to lose alot of money if he pulled out of the arrangement (again only a thought). I wonder how he would be if Ruby had worked out - I have a hunch we would still have concerns about his health/behaviour.
Thanks for the comments everyone. We shouldn't really speculate on the reasons for DC's "quirky" performances. What I want to know if how bad does it have to get before his "true fans" say "enough". Here is a clip of him "singing" "Doesn't Somebody Want to be Wanted". I had read that he called out the key changes to his band during a song - well, he really did and here is the song with its frequent key changes! Don't know how large the audience here is (Elgin) but there are hoots and hollers and applause after this performance. Hello?!? If I had been in the audience, I'd feel pretty cheated listening to that. If that negates my fan status, so be it.
I have been to his concerts several times and they were excellent. Likes to have fun with the audience and does a great job performing. The last concert I went to in New York, well...it was a little off. I have been a fan of his for a long time because he has a great voice and talent but something is not right-it is not for me to judge but...maybe he needs to take a break and just be with his family and take care of himself~make note: he feeds of the frenzy of the fans at times, he is not without fault. Just hope he regroups for him and his family. Honestly I don't know him so how could I love him? I love his voice, music and talent. I just feel sad for him right now and of course his family
Thanks for your comment, Anon 5:17. Don't worry, you are not judging him by noticing something is amiss.
It dawned on me after posting my comment that "Doesn't Somebody Want to be Wanted" is "that" song he protested recording back in the day. I don't think he's ever done it in concert so that might explain his casual attitude towards it. He might still loathe it. (Why then play it in concert, but that's almost beside the point.)
Oh my God, he actually called out key changes. That is shocking. Horrible! What an insulting thing to do to an audience and the other performers onstage. I have never ever seen a performer do that.
How bad does it have to get? It will never be bad for the die-hard fans. He could stand there silent with his eyes closed the whole time, and they wouldn't care.
Anyone who goes to a concert of his - from this point forward, knowing what we know - is just as unbalanced as he is. In my opinion.
Well SLK, if you care to read some of the latest comments on the Chicagoreader.com site you will find some statements that appear to back up you opinion, even to the extent of 'arguements' between US and UK fans, each blaming the other. You couldn't make it up!!!
I felt there was a visible disdain in his recent performances...for his audience, for his work, which I find very sad. He has stated in the past how proud he was of wanting to deliver his best;now it's like he just doesn't care. I think eventually it will get to the point when the reviews get worse, the bookings won't come and perhaps something will change. Great article by Janice Turner and as always, fantastic blog, DD.
I "Think" he did this song in his 1991 tour. But with different funny talk. I'm trying to remember, all I have is vhs tapes but cannot watch them to check.
Barbara, I have to ask: was that "funny ho-ho" or "funny strange"?
DD, I agree, it wasn't a very professional thing to do - more like a casual jam session. I'm not sure what you mean by "key changes" though. To me, he is singing through the whole song in the same key (unlike Summer Days where he changes key at the end of the song), but is calling out "chord" changes, perhaps because the band members didn't know them??? Am I not understanding something? :-0
Thanks!
Oh man, I just saw that video! And if I were there I'd be calling out the same letters, but as grades on his performance. "F!" "D Minus!"
LOL!!
LOL!
singmedavid, you're right: those are chord changes he shared with the band, not key changes. Oops. In any case, I've never heard that in a professional setting and listening to this clip, I find it very distracting and disrespectful to an audience paying to hear him SING.
But as SKL noted, it doesn't seem to matter WHAT he does on that stage. Those die hard fans are happy regardless.
Oh dear, what will these ladies who follow David to (almost) every show do when he retires - transfer their devotion to some other poor s*d. The craziness of it all reminds me of Monty Python's Life of Brian which pilloried the need of the masses to have someone to follow. I can see all the daft characters in that film (ahem DC fans) chasing after Brian (DC) and Brian turns round and shouts FO at them. 'How shall we FO my Lord? Well, I think it's a funny comparison. You have to look at the funny side of life - wish David could do that, things would be so much easier for him if he had a more humourous approach to life.
'A day without laughter is a day wasted' Charlie Chaplin
When we reflect on David we do so in terms of decades.In the beginning was his jumpsuited concerts of the 1970s when his concerts were full of screaming teenagers and he performed to the crowd. Did he sound good? I don't know because even though I was there, I couldn't hear a thing above the screams but the atmosphere was electric. Then he took time out and returned in the 1980s (in UK), post his theatre productions, with his blonde 'romance' era, which I personally thought were his best concerts. They were full of energy and showmanship and his voice was magical (yes we could hear his voice this time around). He then took time out again and returned with his sexy leather clad decade (in USA) and I didn't get to see him in concert during this time, having never travelled abroad to see him. He then took time out after Vegas and came back in the 2000s with his black trousers/glittery shirts, later to be replaced by the white shirts, era which became much more about connecting with the fans with a combination of chat and song but we have tired of this now and unfortunately his stories are the same and so are his songs (words forgotten so the audience help him out and sing along) and not forgetting the 'out of tune' guitars. I was hoping now we are in a fresh decade 2010s that he would have found a new direction for his concerts but although he now seems to have switched to black velvet shirts the concerts seem to be the same from reports so far. The thing that is lacking is he hasn't taken that vital time out but hopefully he will do so and come back refreshed with the energy and professionalism we miss. He seems to be hinting that he may do so if his acting career can get a hold. I do help he takes the break and recharges himself soon.
oops that comment was from me UK fan and the last line should read- I do hope he takes the break and recharges himself soon.
It was nice to read your thoughts UK fan, that gives me hope. I really want him to succeed. Maybe he has been doing his present format too long and he needs to step back a little. Perhaps he gets more of a buzz going on stage unprepared and having to imrpovise to satisfy the part of him that is 'actor'. I hope the film goes well for him and gives David that boost he needs to re-invent himself again. He really needs to bring more of his solo hits into his concerts, especially his later stuff.
There is always the chance that after 40 years in the limelight he has got fed up with it all and just wants to retire to his horses. That is also fine with me as long as he leaves his fans with their happy memories of him and his music. That way when his ego needs us again we will still be there for him.
Ditto that UK fan.
UK fan, I also see David's career in terms of decades. Let us hope that if he continues touring, he does so with recharged batteries. I agree with British fan, it would be amazing to hear him perform his solo stuff from the mid-seventies.
It would be even more amazing to hear him sing something totally new !
Blogger Daydreaming David said...
Barbara, I have to ask: was that "funny ho-ho" or "funny strange"?
Ah, it was definitely "ho ho". He was SO fantastic and was just as you thought he would be from when you'd see him in the magazines. Very kind and thoughtful and really caring to get to know about fans, he'd ask about our jobs and families. He'd talk normal about how (back then) the recession was. Once during a phone call (& not saying that to brag, it's just when it occurred) I had returned from Tina's wedding in Germany and David really asked about how it went and what they had there. He wasn't "David Cassidy" and didn't put it on. No staff, no PR, just him and I feel it was more simple and just him.....Just David!
He even apologized for background noise of some contractors working on his home!! (It be before cell or cordless phones so he couldn't move to quiet spot.) His concerts then were the bomb! When he joked at "Doesn't Somebody" he did something like, "here's that talking part" and he'd say something different, genuinely funny. The band he had then was rock smokin' too. Sorry, I do not like the "Saturday Night Fever" style music of Craig.
How lovely that he was like that Barbara, you will always have those moments to treasure.
Britfan, coincidentally David mentioned in an old interview once that he liked the film Life of Brian!
Maybe he saw the similariies, as you did.
Anon at 11:11am - Don't forget his late 70's -early 80's theatre work with Voice of The Turtle (w/Kay Lenz), Tribute, Little Johnny Jones, Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar (un- believable performance & voice in that!).
He never really "went away" he just was doing different things than the pop concerts of the 70's he was more known for. When he did Romance and then the 1990 Lps interviewers would say, "comeback" and those of us then thought, "huh, he never was 'gone'".
Yes Britfan, memories, but also melancholy and a sort of sadness of what used to be.
Barbara's posts are a reminder of the variety of work David has churned out over the years. As I mentioned in my earlier post, David seems to thrive on variety and that has been lacking in his work for some time. I saw him perform in Blood Brothers (mid 90's in UK) - he was brilliant and clearly loved what he was doing, and he gained many new fans during that period. I'm not a die-hard fan but find it hard to believe that those who are can continue to be oblivious to the change in David.
I envy you all who have seen him in his prime!! ;-) Also, to have had such access to him - that must have been wonderful, Barbara.
Glad to hear it was ho-ho funny, Barbara - he does have a wicked sense of humour - and thank you very much for sharing those memories. I'd forgotten he'd done "Jesus Christ Superstar"! He's had an extremely varied career and it is annoying to hear interviewers refer to a "comeback" every time he does something a little more high profile (they did it with "Ruby" as well). Mind you, I pretty much missed his whole career but I can certainly see how it would gall his life-long fans and himself too, I'm sure.
Britfan, forgot to say: that Mowgli reference cracked me up.
Has anyone been following the conversation between Derek and River of Music on the blog.
here is one of 'river of music's'comment.
"I enjoyed watching the song when he sung out the chords. I was thinking, that would be a cool song in and of itself; with the chords sung out, instead of words. It was enjoyable to see a new spin there"
Ok, Well glad to see the conversation if going on!
http://www.chicagoreader.com/TheBlog/archives/2010/02/15/and-did-david-cassidy-do-elgin-dirty
Thanks, racehorses. Yeah, I'm sorry to admit that I'm still peeking at that page every once in a while. Starting to wonder if ROM is DC's new publicist ;-) New spin indeed.
That was an enlightening post by Yenplay at the Chicagoreader.com.
He says how David "has used female fans over the years, using a 'sexual psychology' in addition to his voice. His influence has been slowly destroying our once pretty good marriage."
That is so sad!! At times I have suspected this about him the way he charms. He seems to really enjoy doing that.
These women are foolish indeed to put their own lives on hold and marriages at risk to chase after their fantasy lives with David Cassidy. Enjoying and being eurphoric at a concert is one thing, you leave that behind once you leave the venue and get back to real life. I have no sympathy for them, if they lose husbands/loved ones for their obsession it's their own fault.
No wonder DC's views of his fans/what they want is skewed. They cling onto him like leeches, it's not a healthy performer/fan relationship at all.
I mean no offence.
Well there have been quite a few fans' marriage's that have broken up due to their degree and extent of following David's career. That is a true fact. I've heard fans say that they are upset they can't go to a concert because it falls on the same day as something they have to attend for their son or daughter, or grandchild! One was upset because her kids wanted her to spend mother's day at home with them, which was same day as a concert.
Good grief Barbara, that is sad, both for the women and their families. That's what you call an obsession out of control, actually it's more like addiction isn't it?!!
Fans who put DC before their families/loved ones? Goodness me, what material for the psychiatrists/psychologists. When you think that he said about not feeling worthy of the adultation he received back in the 1970's, I bet he's damned uncomfortable about behaviour like that from middle aged women! More likely he's pretty disturbed by it.
ContraryMary, I agree with you about this being material for the psych/sociology fields. Seriously. But it surely must happen with other performers as well?! That's what I'm curious to know. As addictive and unique are his talents, an obsessive fan's interest in him says more about the fan than it does him, no?
Someone could write a thesis on this, or several. Maybe even a Ph.D. dissertation!
Do you think David's "sexual psychology" is somehow more engaging than other performer's, that he does something different?
I haven't seen that many live performances period, but I've seen David charm to the point of being irresistible. I admit, just from watching videos of some of his live performances, I found myself "under his spell." I don't "stay" there, of course, but I wonder if that is what Yenplay was talking about. Or if it is something different, like the suggestion that there is a possibility that they could be with him. I haven't witnessed those "suggestions", but I have heard of them.
OR...is all the tight thrusting he sometimes does with that guitar stuck to him. LOL! Mmm! Not so much in recent live videos, but in some from say 8 years back. OMG. I've been mesmerized by some of those performances, wishing I was the guitar, if you know what I mean. But, for my hubby (if I had one) that would be prove to be a very positive thing, I'm sure. ;-)
It sounds like boredom at home mixed with a mid-life crisis to me and of course the pursuit of that unfulfilled dream. Chasing David is just going to leave these women (and men) even more frustrated.
racehorses,
age 60 is coming soon. He has a daughter getting roles. A son in college who will then go to live in LA. The only thing he has bankable is the people following him around to these concerts.
Most rock star have these regulars.
Some women think they still have a chance at Barry Manilow.
DD, agree that other performers have obsessive fans too but in the case of David's there is quite a proportion who do so because it transports them back to their much younger years, so they're pretty oblivious to the actual state he's in now because their main concern is having their fantasy satisfied. Clearly David (as do other performers) feeds off and craves the adulation, so I can't imagine him packing it in for good. Funny old World, isn't it?
Oh you're too funny Racehorses, cant imagine any woman wanting a chance with Barry Manilow, he's become a bit scary looking in recent years in his efforts to stay looking young! David had better heed the warning signs. (I mean no more 'procedures' for David).
He has the same charismatic ways as his father.
Years ago, there was a cassette tape going around Barry fans with sounds that were to simulate what it would be like/sound to have canoodles with him! There was also a fan who made a "correct" Barry doll.
Barry, David and The Osmonds all share many of the same fans.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1093010/Barrys-barmy-army-Meet-fearsome-fan-club--Fanilows.html
Oh funnily, Barry grew up around the corner from my grandmother's house in Brooklyn. But he is 11 years older, so never ran into him among kids in the neighborhood I played with when I visited. I have met Barry and I told him about my grandmother's house and he asked the address. I liked him in the 70's and being from Brooklyn I will always root for a hometown guy. :)
His autobiog years ago was very funny book - enjoyed it.
whereas David's was partially a kiss and tell on people who hadn't done a kiss and tell on him !
UK fan,
Meredith Baxter, now a lesbian, is coming out a book. She might have some dirt.
Other than that, I wonder, out of all those women he bragged about, how nobody bother to include him in a book?
Most of his fan at were under aged. I know teenagers were not carrying around Partridge Family lunchboxes.
WHo were these women?
The Butter Queen had everybody.
Were they groupies that just out there for anybody?
Just wondering!
Barbara, that article about Barry Manilow was hilarious. I was in stitches. Thank you for sharing. I do think his fans are more obsessed (and deluded) than DC fans. The reporter had it right though: all this fan stuff is as much about bonding between women as anything else. I had come across one sociologist's paper on teen idols and that was her theory as well. And now, with the internet, all this idolizing gets even more frenzied or far reaching.
Thanks Barbara!! LMAO! I thought that article was enlightening too.
Does Barry suffer from his fandom like David does?
There's definitely something to the bonding theory!
Damn, finally got round to reading Barbara's article. You could substitute the word 'David' for 'Barry' and the article would still be the same. Holy Moly! Barry's 'unmasculine' like David too. Mind you apparantly Barry doesn't go for the ladies so much as David if you get my drift. Guess there's something to the bonding with others theory and the 'fantasy unobtainable male'.
Mind you I dont go for that kind of thing myself. I wont join DC's 'fanclub' (that's for teens!) or his many fansite forums. At a concert I would be there for my own pleasure and curiousity. I have seen the vids on YT, I still have a suspicion I may fall into fits of giggles at a DC concert (in spite of wanting to finally see him in the flesh) at the daftness and cheese surrounding me. I would not walk out either, whatever I saw, my voyeuristic curiosity would keep there to the end. I should have seen him in his heyday! Damn again.
I found this:
http://www.postcardsfromyomomma.com/2010/02/19/president-of-the-i-can%E2%80%99t-stand-david-cassidy-fan-club/
Lexie, that's part of a letter someone allegedly wrote to DC and posted on the ChicagoReader music blog about his recent concert. This postcards site seems to collect letters that are (could be) written by mothers.
The woman who put that up said that was from her mother who was forced to sit through the concert.
I think this women must come from the time of where her idols were people like Johnny Mathis and such.
About the idol thing with Barry.
Elton John got in trouble recently for suggesting the Jesus was gay.
Some artist actually seem like the feminize the guy in order for Jesus to be non threatening. Interesting how David played the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar.
I heard David was offered to role in the movie and turned it down.
Wow, I never knew David had been offered the lead in JCS. Do you mean the 1973 film? I doubt David could have done a better job than Ted Neeley and I'm not sure if David could have hit those top C's. I believe TN still played the role in stage productions for many years, he had one suberb stage presence in that and of course he's just as lovely in real life apparantly, and still looking good all these years later.
racehorses, this comment: "About the idol thing with Barry.
Elton John got in trouble recently for suggesting the Jesus was gay.
Some artist actually seem like the feminize the guy in order for Jesus to be non threatening. Interesting how David played the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar." is missing some words to link your ideas, I think. The third sentence, in particular, does not make any sense.
I read the article about Barry. The interviewer said that Barry wasn't masculine. BF said that some David images aren't masculine either.
Some images of Jesus show him not very masculine either. The bible portrays him as celibate but I could see where some people could get the message that he was gay.
I could see where a casting person could work off that tangent in casting somebody for the role.
I sure Catil/Daidycat was the one who wrote that on the a message board.
She said David turned down the role.
The connection of thougt occured to me when I read the Barry article.
Yes, it is true David was offered the role in the movie (he was the biggest pop star at that time and so made sense marketing wise for film also), but for some reason turned it down. But he got to play it in Kansas City and you would have been surprised as we were at the notes he hit. Not as high as Neeley (who IS that role!) but still was WOW!! At one part they had a cross that lifted upright on stage with David on it as Christ and at the outdoor theatre by the time it got to that part, it had gotten dark out and it was a powerful scene. We joked that we had to remind ourselves it was supposed to be Christ and not to swoon over David in the loin cloth.
To me that was one of his best stage roles. He did say then that it did affect him spiritually while playing it.
He was very kind then to come out before the show in his white robes Jesus costume to let those of us fans that were outside the stage entrance take photos of him - he told us not to spend our money buying productions photos from the theatre, he would let us take our own of him in the robes. I funnily recall we told him to look holy and he posed with his arms out hands facing upwards, he looked really cool.
Thanks for clarifying your thought, racehorses.
Barbara, thanks for sharing. You must have a lot of sweet memories of him throughout the years.
As for the movie role, didn't his contract with Screen Gems at the time limit him to the PF and those solo concerts?
David never mentions, Jesus Christ Superstar, in his resume of accomplishment, HE always highlights Blood Brother.
David also did another Biblical theme on Broadway. HE took over for Andy Gibb on Broadway in Joseph and the Amazing Techicolor DreamCoat. I think he got good reviews in this too.
Patrick Cassidy mentions with pride that he did this play, but David , again , does not make much of a mention of it.
David in a loin cloth? OMG. Catch me. Thank you for that visual, Barbara. LOL! I think I would have swooned anyway, JC or not. That had to be an incredible image. You wouldn't happen to know where we might get to see a picture of that?
Unfortunately, there are no loincloth photos online from other fans who went to the show, and I have no scanner for photos I have. JCS is listed on his list of credits, but since Blood Brothers was BROADWAY, that is the role most actors would highlight over a regional Kansas City one - that I understand. You can read about this time though here from another from the group of us fans who were around him at that time, Cathy Ortiz and you will see how he posed for us with the costume outside.
http://www.davidcassidyfansite.com/FansPages/FansTalesJC.html
Thanks Barbara! It seems like it was pretty exciting to see him back then. Do you still help fan clubs for his concerts and appearances?
Well I am the US Coordinator for Just David Fan Club. I used to be the U.S. rep for two other clubs in the 80's but they have since closed some years ago. If a promotion outlet wants to do something with JD members, yes I work with them arranging it. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as before to arrange events between David and club members. Before we only had to ask David directly & he always agreed. Now there is a company.
Thanks again for the info, Barbara!
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