Megan Early, 41, of Boston, MA shares her thoughts and feelings about
her 'first love' David Cassidy. Megan says, "David Cassidy was a beacon of
light in a childhood of darkness. He was my saving grace, my source of comfort,
my escapism from the insanity and domestic violence I grew up
with."
Do you collect David Cassidy memorabilia?
If so, what do you have?
Of course when I was younger, I HAD to have *everything* with David's
picture on it, which meant I was always broke! I bought all the PF/DC albums,
teen magazines, bubble gum cards, PF novels, PF comic books, etc. Not until
I was an adult, did I realize all the PF merchandise out there. Now I'm trying
to complete my bubble gum and PF novel collection. My collection is modest
to most other fans.
Are you a member of any David Cassidy fan
clubs?
I used to be the Promotional Manager of David's Girls Against Disease
(DGAD) -- a unique charity group comprised of Cassidy fans who raised money
for various charities in David's name. (I even got an article on the club
in the now defunct magazine, Pageant.)
I was very proud of my involvement in such a worthy club. The President
of DGAD, Jan Shulman, even received a personal phone call from David, who
thanked her for all her hard work and how much the club meant to him. The
club is no loner in existence, but it inspired many of us fans to pursue
a life of social activism.
I now belong to 2 of his fan clubs: The Just David International
Fan Club and Friends of the Cassidys (FOTC).
How important is David Cassidy to your
life?
David Cassidy was a beacon of light in a childhood of darkness. He
was my saving grace, my source of comfort, my escapism from the insanity
and domestic violence I grew up with.
Like David's father, my own father was manic depressive who had
a violent temper. My family life was one of pain and shame. Most teens in
times of trouble turn to drinking or drugs but lucky for me, I turned to
David. He made me happy. The Partridge Family was like an ideal family to
me - the family I wish I had.
When I was watching the Partridge Family or listening to David sing,
nothing could hurt me. Everything was right with the world. He helped me
stay sane. And he made me feel happy through the darkest times. And for that,
I will always be eternally grateful.
What does David Cassidy mean to you? Why are
you a fan?
For me, like millions of female adolescents, David was MY FIRST
LOVE.
The first awakenings of womanhood. (And a woman never forgets her
first love!) *He also gave me an identity - my own kind of music and a sense
of belonging to something greater than myself.*
What Elvis was to the 50s, the Beatles were to the 60s, David Cassidy
was to the 70s -- MY GENERATION! And I think he's just as talented as Elvis
or the Beatles or any other artist for that matter. He sings, acts, writes
songs, and is an exciting performer on stage. He also has an ability to connect
with his fans.
There's a lot of snobbery out there from past generations -- just
because their artist was there first. Many of these so-called music historians
don't give David his due: That he was not only the biggest singing sensation
of his time, he had the largest fan club in the world, and he broke all of
Elvis' and the Beatles' attendance records. The only true music historians
are the fans, like me, who were there. David Cassidy is part of MY HISTORY.
David Cassidy is part of MY GENERATION.
For his fans, he is a connection to our past and to our
hearts.
I also want to point out that David is wonderful with his fans.
He's one of the nicest, most natural people you'll ever meet.
I've been fortunate to meet him a few times and he has always be
very warm, generous and considerate. I even know of non-fans who became instant
fans by virtue of meeting him. He has that kind of impact on
people.
When you think of the 1970s, what memories
come to mind?
Women's Lib, Mary Tyler Moore, All in the Family, bell bottoms,
clogs, platform shoes, disco, tie-dyed T-shirts, smiley faces, flower power,
the Vietnam War, etc.
Are you a big 1970s fan? If so, what is it
about that decade that so inspires and excites you?
I can't say I'm a big fan of the decade per se. I grew up during
that decade so I guess I'm more nostalgic for the 70s because it brings back
my youth.
Why do you think David Cassidy continues to
have fans today? What is it about him that has excited fans for
generations?
It is a testament to David Cassidy that he still has such a strong
loyal following after all these years, even after long periods of oblivion.
It's important to realize that David may have left career pressures but his
fans never left him. That connection was always there.
David and his fans have grown up together. David was there during
our transition period from adolescent to adult as we were there for his
transition period from teen idol to serious artist. David has always been
good to his fans and his fans recognize that.
He has proven to be quite a versatile polished performer: TV, music,
Broadway, Las Vegas -- he's conquered them all.
Not only did David have the #1 show in Las Vegas, he was voted Top
All-Around Entertainer of the Year. This was certainly no surprise to his
fans, who knew that all along. We're just waiting for the rest of the world
to catch up with us!
Oh yes, what is it about David that has excited his fans? That Cassidy
Charisma! (When David is on stage -- you can't not help but notice him.)
And the many facets of his talent that have yet to be untapped. The excitement
that the best is yet to come for David's career! |
