David Cassidy’s legion of adoring fans will have been left devastated by the news of his impending retirement this week, after a 50-year career in the entertainment industry. The former star of The partridge family series – a massive 1970s hit with American TV viewers – cited health concerns as having a significant bearing on his difficult decision.
Gained stardom through The Partridge Family
After gradually introducing TV viewers to his fresh face and youthful exuberance with a number of minor roles in popular series such as Ironside and Bonanza, Cassidy became a familiar face and teenage heartthrob when he portrayed Keith Partridge in the musical-sitcom alongside Shirley Jones.
The role not only propelled him into superstar status on screen but also brought with it a successful musical career, which he developed further after leaving The Partridge Family in 1974.
Final concerts planned
American fans in Las Vegas and Southern California will have special cause to celebrate the 66-year-old’s talent as he plays out his final West Coast concerts this month, before finally calling time on his career at the end of the year. A spokeswoman for the musician and actor suggested that there would be additional dates on the East Coast as well.
For those of his followers who were there at the start, they will no doubt look back fondly on the time of ‘Cassidymania’, when his sell out concerts created a similar form of hysteria to that of The Beatles in the 1960s.
Travelling takes its toll
It seems to have been a tough announcement to make but a wise one, as he stated that “travelling and my arthritis” had caused him issues when attempting to honour his touring engagements around the country in recent years.
Although it seems that he isn’t planning on a complete withdrawal from the limelight, Cassidy confirmed that he was “planning on working much less” in the future.
Top of the charts in the UK
Cassidy’s appeal extended beyond his homeland and he enjoyed chart success in the 70s both in Australia and in the UK. At the height of his popularity, his singles How Can I Be Sure and the unforgettable Daydreamer reached the coveted number one spot in Britain, a feat matched by his 1973 album Dreams are Nuthin’ More than Wishes.
