David Cassidy, former Partridge Family star, dies aged 67

[Nikki B.]

 

David Cassidy, the former teenage heart-throb of 1970s TV show The Partridge Family, has died at the age of 67.

 

Publicist JoAnn Geffen released a statement saying Cassidy had died "surrounded by those he loved". No further details were immediately available, but Ms Geffen said on Saturday that Cassidy was in a Florida hospital suffering from organ failure.

 

Cassidy was diagnosed with dementia in his 60s and earlier this year said he was struggling with memory loss and would end his 50-year career and stop touring in order to "enjoy life".

 

The teen and pre-teen idol starred in the 1970s sitcom and sold millions of records as the musical group's lead singer.

 

The Partridge Family aired from 1970-74 and was intended at first as a vehicle for Shirley Jones, the Oscar-winning actress and Cassidy's stepmother.

 

Jones played Shirley Partridge, a widow with five children with whom she forms a popular act that travels on a psychedelic bus. The cast featured Cassidy as eldest son and family heartthrob Keith Partridge.

 

Troubled life after stardom

 

Cassidy went on to a hugely successful solo career as a singer and pop idol.

 

He was extremely popular in Australia too, with singles I Think I Love You and Cherish hitting the number one spot on the charts.

 

The Partridge Family never cracked the top 10 in TV ratings, but the recordings under their name, mostly featuring Cassidy, Jones and session players, produced real-life musical hits and made Cassidy a real-life musical superstar.

 

The group also reached the top 10 with I'll Meet You Halfway and Doesn't Somebody Want to be Wanted.

 

"In two years, David Cassidy has swept hurricane-like into the pre-pubescent lives of millions of American girls," Rolling Stone magazine noted in 1972.

 

"Leaving: six and a half million long-playing albums and singles; 44 television programs; David Cassidy lunch boxes; David Cassidy bubble gum; David Cassidy colouring books and David Cassidy pens; not to mention several millions of teen magazines, wall stickers, love beads, posters and photo albums."

 

According to Cassidy's official website, he caused "such mass hysteria" that several countries, including Australia, "threatened to throw him out of their country as a 'health hazard'".

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r9UtIhOI8M

 

In his career he also appeared on Broadway, in US stage shows and in the occasional movie.

 

Cassidy's appeal faded after The Partridge Family went off the air, although he continued to tour, record and act over the next 40 years.

 

His albums included Romance and the awkwardly titled Didn't You Used To Be?

 

He had a hit with I Write the Songs before Barry Manilow's chart-topping version, and he had success overseas with The Last Kiss, featuring backing vocals from Cassidy admirer George Michael.

 

He made occasional stage and television appearances during his career, including an Emmy-nominated performance on Police Story.

 

But the star had numerous personal problems in the decades following his initial success, ranging from substance abuse to bankruptcy.

 

In 2010 Cassidy was arrested in Florida on suspicion of drink-driving after police said they found a half-empty bottle of whisky in his car.

 

He was reportedly arrested for drink driving several times in the years afterwards, and lost his licence in 2016.

 

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-22/david-cassidy-dies/9180064

[Twice's Cotton Candy]

Rest in peace

[Umji's butt minder]

God speed him to his rest.

[JihyoStoleMyHeartAYAYAY]

omg RIP  

[Your Juan and only]

RIP I saw this coming when they revealed he was in the hospital for organ failure

[Nikki B.]

At the height of his career, his fan club was bigger than Elvis's and the Beatles's combine  .

[Nina Bo'Nina Brown]

That's sad I hope he's at peace now

[wonderfulisaaa92*]

My mom was such a huge fan of his, growing up!

And even though I wasn't part of his generation, I also loved his handsome looks & acting in The Partridge Family - when I watched the episodes on TV as re-runs, growing up.

Rest in peace, David. You'll be truly missed. â¤