Beth L. Jones, of Iowa, credits David Cassidy with helping her cope
with her abusive childhood and allowing her to maintain a positive image
of men despite the lack of positive male role models in her life. "By my
knowing of his very existence, David Cassidy helped me retain my sanity in
a treacherous and damaging environment, and I somehow don't believe a Donny
Osmond or John David Carson (2nd choice for the role of Keith Partridge)
could have ever done the same," she said. "I did it all on my own, yet I
truly don't know where I'd be without him. No place even half as good as
where I am now, of that I'm certain."
How important is David Cassidy to your
life?
In realistic regard to day to day living? On a scale of 1 to 10:
Ages 11-18: 5-6. Adulthood: 2-3.
In terms of my enduring affection/interest in his well-being and
what's happening in his life: he's still #1 for me after almost 30 years
&, barring disaster, probably always will be. I follow & support
no celeb's career like I've kept up with "DC" (as his fans call
him).
What does David Cassidy mean to you? Why are
you a fan?
He was in no way the first "idol" I ever had -- that began for me
in CA 1965 (age 4-5). I had an abusive childhood and sought older male "friends"/
"protectors" in figures in the music world (Herman's Hermits, the Monkees,
etc.).
Even tho' these celeb "protector-friendships" were completely vicarious
(and deathly secret), they helped me maintain a positive attitude toward
men when positive male role models were lacking. I dissociated, substituting
imaginary friendships with these celebrities for the nurturing & kindness
that was missing in my life.
Then when DC came on the scene in 1970, he not only exuded that
special unthreatening, androgynous "Something" that teen idols convey, I
was just coming of age sexually. So I somehow especially and specifically
bonded to/with David's image (not that I ever believed he was anything but
an actor playing a role). I was never in love with Keith Partridge. (He was
a dolt.) But enough of "David Cassidy-Nice Guy" came thru in his portrayals
that my fate/fixation was sealed.
And over the years, I've found numerous validations of my astute
choice of my "hero" at the tender age of 10 going on 11. More often than
not, in interviews and in his autobiography, David Cassidy has proven to
be someone whom I would be proud to call "friend", someone whose viewpoints
and outlook on life are extremely similar to my own.
Someone whom I now, as an adult, feel very protective of in turn.
And I'm endlessly grateful that David Cassidy was "there" (at least in my
head!) to lend me strength, or mere distraction, during some VERY difficult
times in my life.
It's hard to explain it better than that. My affection for and gratitude
to the man are boundless, even though we've never met. By my knowing of his
very existence, David Cassidy helped me retain my sanity in a treacherous
and damaging environment, and I somehow don't believe a Donny Osmond or John
David Carson (2nd choice for the role of Keith Partridge) could have ever
done the same. I did it all on my own, yet I truly don't know where I'd be
without him. No place even half as good as where I am now, of that I'm
certain.
When you think of the 1970s, what memories
come to mind?
Thinking constantly about David Cassidy. ;-) Puberty, bad clothing
styles, garish colors, bell bottoms, the Partridge Family & the Brady
Bunch, coping with Vietnam's aftermath, i.e. America's general confusion
and FEAR; the Rise of Hard Rock (it's anger was -- & remains-- frightening
to me) and the Drug Culture. I found the 70's an extremely fearful, confusing,
unhappy period, EXCEPT for my love for David Cassidy.
Are you a big 1970s fan? If so, what is it
about that decade that so inspires and excites you?
I'm not a fan of the 70's -- its very garishness speaks volumes to
me about the social upheaval going on and the silly-sad distractions people
were seeking to escape it.
Why do you think David Cassidy continues to
have fans today? What is it about him that has excited fans for
generations?
Realistically, a minor factor has been that he's retained his looks,
unlike so many others!
But this is overshadowed enormously by his growth as a performer
and as a person -- both of which he's managed to share successfully with
his fans. If David didn't have the Jack Cassidy/Evelyn Ward talent-genes
to back him up AND if he hadn't found the inner strength & tenacity to
pull himself out of the swamp of his own psychological problems, addictions,
mistakes and (perceived) failures, Cassidy'd be a has-been today -- MAYbe
playing old hits in a lounge somewhere.
Or as he says, he'd be "pumpin' gas". And I think he's right. His
fans believed in him, which helped -- but David chose to believe in himself.
An interesting turn-about: the knowledge of the existence of his fans helped
him survive too. He did it all on his own, yet he truly doesn't know where
he'd be without us....?
What makes you a true 1970s
buff?
I'm not -- I'm a David Cassidy buff. (Plus I peripherally have kept
track of his family's doings.) I think it's a great group of people. I'm
a professional singer-performer myself, so I'm especially proud to share
a last name with Shirley Jones. ;-) |
