Saying goodbye to a heartthrob #RIPDavidCassidy

Another icon from my youth has passed away. This time the loss is profound, distinct, and monumentally sad. David Cassidy became a poster boy to millions of teen and tween girls around the world when he starred in The Partridge Family. His wholesome good looks made it easy to fall for him. The charming smile, those pretty eyes, and the hair! Those tresses--curling up past his shoulders--his locks gave him the slight impression of being naughty, even though the style was popular (Bay City Rollers, anyone?). His mane became part of his trademark look, but it was something else that made him memorable in this young girl's eyes at the time. That would be his singing.



The Partridge Family quickly became a hit and for me, a Friday night staple in my home. Paired with The Brady Bunch, for kids too young to hang out, ABC-TV became THE place to be. Keith and family, along with Marcia and her siblings, made staying home worthwhile. In fact, watching the telly became fun and entertaining. Most of the evening's success and popularity could easily be attributed to Mr. Cassidy. Yes, his show was an ensemble comedy, but come on, HE was the reason most tuned in. Mr. Cassidy was the real deal. He portrayed the sometimes awkward, fast-talking Keith with wit and grace. We believed him when he stumbled over another excuse or feigned not knowing how girls would react to his good looks. How could someone so darned cute come across as occasionally awkward in his own skin? David did. He could easily deliver a one-liner and then draw us in with a song.

One of the strong points of The Partridge Family was the script writing. For a family show, the writers didn't mind entertaining us with sarcasm, witty barbs, and snark galore. The actors made the words their own by delivering the lines with comical faces, dips in tone or pratfalls. We giggled. We laughed. We watched habitually, week after week (even the re-runs, that way we got to see a favorite Keith moment again). The show ran for four years. I saw every episode.

The highlight of each show was, of course, the musical numbers. "I Think I Love You." "I Woke Up in Love This Morning." "Cherish." "How Can I Be Sure." These songs and others cemented the show into our psyche. Easily identifiable. Quick to hum. Unforgettable. Being in this family was cool, even having to wear matching outfits didn't seem so bothersome. The only bus I ever rode on was a city transit bus, so seeing this family travel around on a colorful school bus appealed to this Bronx girl. Who didn't want to be an honorary member of the Partridge's? I know I did. A testament to the show and its music has been its longevity. Some shows cannot be watched with today's contemporary sensibilities without some degree of wincing, while thoughts race to "this was considered good?" or "they call this funny?" The Partridge Family is one of those rare shows that doesn't make me wince or change the channel. Unlike The Brady Bunch, I don't mind catching repeats of this show. Viewing it is a guilty pleasure.

I haven't been this touched by losing an icon since Davy Jones died. The Monkees was my introduction to comedic shows starring cute guys with music. But unlike Mr. Jones, David Cassidy meant something more to this pre-teen girl. He seemed like the boy next door, or a classmate, someone like us and accessible. The one thing I could never understand or support was the entire screaming female fan sightings first made popular by rock'n'rollers like Elvis and The Beatles. David had his flocks of followers wherever he appeared. Since he could sing and play guitar and write songs, he was the real deal. Fans could buy tickets and get a brief sixty to ninty-minute opportunity to see him in the flesh and hear him serenade them from a stage.

Unfortunately, I never experienced him live in concert. That honor went to his half-brother, Shaun Cassidy at a show in Long Island. I think I have the ticket stub saved somewhere. Again, I didn't join in the frenzy of the crying, screaming fans. Being introverted, I kept most of my excitement contained and private. I had my share of records (albums and 45" singles), posters, and Tiger Beat magazines.

In reality, as David Cassidy changed from boy to man, he seemed as though he wasn't comfortable with his level of popularity and shied away from the limelight years later. Shedding the image of Keith Partridge would prove to be much harder for a youthful nation to which his visage as a '70s pop star would be forever ingrained. Girls adored him. Guys wanted to be him. I don't think he was able to ever fully distance himself away from the fictional boy who made him a household name. He personified every young girl's dream guy. The young man he portrayed became the idealization of first-time crushes, starred in numerous dreams and fantasies, and became the model of the type of guy girls would consider giving up their innocence to.

With his nice looks, charisma, and talent, teen heartthrob David imbued the qualities of someone our moms could easily welcome into their homes. David Cassidy charmed the socks off of everyone who watched him in the role that made him a phenomenon. After all this time, he will forever be viewed as an icon, and is so well-deserving of the title. May he rest in peace.