C'mon, Get Happy ... Fear and Loathing on the Partridge Family Bus
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Cassidy seems obsessed with 1970-1974 as the defining feel of his life, which in retrospect it must have been. He entered into information technology with no real grooming for what would happen when he agreed to star in the sitcom. Interestingly, there is a cursory mention of Bobby Sherman, the other teen idol of the period. And past the time The Partridge Family picked up the slack, The Monkees had run its grade. Only it never seems to have occurred to Cassidy to look at Sherman, Jones or Dolenz as Butterick patterns for what he might wait.
He is also bitter about the lack of parenting he received from his begetter, Jack Cassidy. The elder Cassidy is presented equally an unrelieved disaster. His death in 1975 left the problems between him and his eldest son completely unresolved. David skims over this for the rest of the volume dealing with his mail-Keith life, but it is articulate the lack of a relationship with Jack was the greatest influence upon him. His marriage to Kay Lenz is doomed from the start, his 2nd wife rates a paragraph and his tertiary marriage, however potent at the time the book was written, inevitably concluded in divorce. Cassidy is complimentary of her, but never conveys why the human relationship worked. In that location is a distressing afterword by his co-author that details what happened after the book was published: a screw of drunk driving arrests, bankruptcies, professional person thwarting and ultimate death from alcohol abuse.
The one-star is not for the sadness of Cassidy'due south story just for the way he tells it. At no point does he demonstrate whatsoever self-sensation, other than an occasional perfunctory note that he treated women poorly. But these are buried in descriptions --- graphic descriptions --- of the enormous amount of sex David Cassidy was enjoying on the road. There is an embarrassing account of bad-mannered intercourse with Susan Dey that led to a consummate breakup of their friendship after information technology was published. Cassidy seems surprised that she would take minded, which says more than almost him than anything else. Gentlemen practice non osculation and tell, teenaged boys exercise. And that's the nub of what makes this autobiography sad and unsatisfying. Information technology reads equally though a teenager wrote it. Cassidy never really matured. There are reasons for information technology, certainly, but the perspective suffers and as a consequence, so does the book. I would like to read a good biography, or even an test of the teen idol phenomenon. Anyone know of one?
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This depressing memoir is similar a manual for how to alive your life wrong, making mistake after mistake. He blames his father for a lot of his bug and yeah, his dad was a piece of work,
Sad and gross. Those are the words that first come up to mind when reading about his life equally a teen idol. Wow. No wonder, he became such an alcoholic. It'south shameful how the business exes took advantage of his naivete. They merely wanted to wring out from Cassidy as much money equally possible before his shelf life expired.This depressing memoir is like a transmission for how to live your life incorrect, making mistake after mistake. He blames his father for a lot of his problems and yeah, his dad was a piece of work, simply at some point you have to try and move across information technology.
Cassidy never admits to his ain faults. Oh certain, he makes some lip service comments most how maybe he didn't treat women so well while he was on tour but he lacks sensation of just how horrible it really was. That story of his roadies forcing a group of teen girls to wait naked in his hotel room - ugh, God knows what those men did to the girls prior to Cassidy showing up - and so sending them one at a time into David'south bedroom.... wow. His main reaction? That it was turn off to run into how freaked out and upset the immature girls were! There are several disturbing, calumniating stories like this. It was hard to read at times.
I checked out this book thinking it'd be a calorie-free-hearted celebrity memoir. Haha, what was I thinking? It was a total bummer. I can never wait at my Partridge Family metallic lunchbox the same way. Don't read this unless you are researching for an article near the mistreatment of women in the rock world.
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I must say that the ii teen idols from my preteen years are or were on ii entirely different moralistic planes. It is no surprise that Donny has not merely maintained his stardom merely his career continues to flourish. His values as a gentleman and his immense talent continue to both set an example and entertain his audiences and over several generations.
As for Cassidy, I would like to forget this book of meaningless sex and bad decisions and recall his wonderful accomplishments, his amazing talent and his Dedication in becoming the teen dream for millions. He was perfection as Keith Partridge.
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I always liked David Cassidy. This is a very enjoyable, aboveboard autobiography. David was a sweet, sensitive soul. While he may take accomplished fame on The Partridge Family, it does not sound like he had much emotional back up or guidance. This book is a fast, interesting read.
I was pleasantly surprised this was so entertaining! I was of the age that I was raised watching all the Partridge family shows. So I could chronicle to the story. Show business concern is tough, and he fabricated the decisions he did. I really enjoyed the tale.
I can sum information technology up in two words. Nothing adept. And 75% of the book wasn't even the aftermath. It was virtually how bad information technology was to be him. Really?????
OK, here'due south my review:
Boring. Monotonous. Self-serving. Read like it was written by a middle-school student. Boring. Monotonous. Then much so that, despite its simplicity and brusque length, i
I must accept bought this a while back considering, when I found it, I was surprised I had it. I ever wanted to know what happened to this guy afterwards all the fame and fortune.I can sum information technology upwards in two words. Nothing adept. And 75% of the book wasn't fifty-fifty the aftermath. Information technology was almost how bad it was to be him. Actually?????
OK, here's my review:
Tiresome. Monotonous. Self-serving. Read like information technology was written past a middle-schoolhouse educatee. Dull. Monotonous. So much so that, despite its simplicity and short length, information technology took me over two months to read it. Even though I skimmed a lot.
Very trivial of it was about the Partridge Family, or annihilation else. It was his feelings about his life. Not many facts. I'1000 pretty sure he wasn't paying attention to what was going on around him at all.
The afterword at the back past the co-author was more informative than the whole rest of the volume. And the co-author apparently had very little to exercise with the writing itself because
his writing was practiced.Did I say boring, monotonous?
Besides bad really. I tin feel pitiful for all of united states because he wasted his life and obvious talent. None of us got the do good of it. But I tin can't experience sorry for him, even though the whole book was basically "poor picayune me." What a wasted life, truly.
This review is not for the wasted life, though. The book truly was atrocious.
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Nosotros learn how he hated his father who was jealous of him, how everyone only him made serious money from his paradigm. How he hated everything he had to exercise when performing as Keith Partridge in The Partridge Family, how he never actually shook his image to exist who he actually was. Who he really was seemed to be actually an alcoholic as it turned out.
It is obvious he found himself in something of a bind that he couldn't go out of past signing away himself basically, simply all the while he is whining well-nigh how bad everything was, he also sounds similar he is bragging at the same time.
And he wonders why co-star Susan Dey stopped speaking to him subsequently he revealed that she had had a huge crush on him for ages (which he was plainly oblivious to until it was pointed out past stepmum Shirley Jones) and so he felt he needed to accept her to bed for some clumsy and unsatisfying sexual activity because he felt that was what she wanted, despite thinking of her every bit his sister. I'one thousand sure she was thrilled that this part of her private life was told to the world.
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This volume caused a stir when it appeared in 1994 and NOT because it'due south the typical "who I slept with" show biz tell-all. There'due south plenty in here about Cassidy'south sexual activity life, but his partners weren't women with recognizable names. And a stone star sleeping with groupies is hardly front-folio news, is it?
I found it interesting, fifty-fifty though I never watched "The Partridge Family" and was only vaguely enlightened of David Cassidy'south music career. It'due south better written than many ce
The pain behind the megawatt smiles.This book caused a stir when information technology appeared in 1994 and Non considering it'due south the typical "who I slept with" show biz tell-all. At that place's plenty in hither virtually Cassidy's sex activity life, but his partners weren't women with recognizable names. And a rock star sleeping with groupies is hardly front-page news, is it?
I found it interesting, even though I never watched "The Partridge Family unit" and was only vaguely enlightened of David Cassidy's music career. It's better written than many celebrity "autobiographies." Cassidy was smart and he picked a real writer, not a ghost writing hack. From the "epilogue" written by Chip Deffa subsequently Cassidy's death in 2017, it'due south obvious that this was not a book written quickly from a few interviews. The two men spent time together and liked and respected each other. I doubtable Deffaa was as surprised as I was to learn that Cassidy wasn't the lightheaded, spoiled glory'south kid he seemed to exist. He had issues, just he'd earned his scars through a troubled childhood.
He was the kid of extra Evelyn Ward and player Jack Cassidy. Jack abased his first married woman early on and and David started life in New Jersey, living with his mother's parents. Even afterward Evelyn moved to 50.A., Jack showed picayune interest in his oldest son. By that fourth dimension, he was married to Shirley Jones and had three sons with her. Sadly, he wasn't a skilful father to them, either.
Both of Jack Cassidy's wives remain mysteries in this book. David says fiddling about his mother, other than that she pretty much allow him do what he wanted to. Every bit a teen, he was heavily into the 1960's sexual activity, drugs, and rock scene in California. His mother never interfered. Did she trust her son or was she simply more involved in her own life and marriages? Shirley Jones' decision to marry the manic, charming Jack Cassidy and have a family with him is odd, besides. She had an opportunity to run across how he treated his oldest son and conspicuously didn't retrieve he was a skillful begetter. She said that he ignored David except to field of study him. Did she recall he would be different with her children? Like many families (in Hollywood and elsewhere) the smiling pictures looked far better than the reality.
Some things I took from this book.... Bad parenting leaves emotional scars that stardom and money don't make disappear. Cassidy emerged from his childhood hurt by his male parent's fail and anger and particularly by Jack'due south violent jealousy of his son'due south fame. When this volume was written, he was 43 years old and still struggling with his clashing feelings about Jack Cassidy. Danny Bonaduce was also the son of any angry, abusive father. The volume hints that Susan Dey had family unit problems and was drawn to older men to replace the loving father she wanted and didn't have. Money solves some problems, but it doesn't fill the hole in your soul left by the lack of love in babyhood.
The quondam term "phase-struck" may no longer be in utilise, simply it's wonderfully descriptive of people obsessed with performing. That obsession drives their professional and personal lives and skews their decision-making, even in regards to their children. Cassidy claims that he didn't desire to "star" in a empty-headed tv set show aimed at kids. He was building a career as a serious thespian and becoming respected for his appearances in dramatic roles.
His male parent, mother, step-female parent, and Ruth Aarons (the manager who was closer to him than any of them) urged him to sign. Why? Considering the idea of passing up a starring role was unthinkable to them. Actors work, scheme, and cede to get "big" roles. Although all of the people in his life TALKED near the importance of learning the trade and becoming a serious actor, the chance of distinction was what actually mattered to them. In the end, it mattered more than to them than David's happiness.
Anywhere people are making large money, vultures are trying to have that coin away from them. Professional athletes and entertainers are particularly vulnerable. Possibly they absorb the adulation of their admirers and come to believe that EVERYONE loves and wants the best for them. The coin seems countless and the piece of work is countless, too. If you lot recollect existence an role player or musician is an piece of cake way to make a living, you won't think so by the stop of this volume. Similar many others, Cassidy worked incredibly hard at building his career and ended up with nothing.
Fifty-fifty if he exaggerated the crimes of the people who took advantage of him, even if he downplayed his ain irresponsibility, the guy was screwed. Those who should take looked subsequently him , either robbed him or looked the other way.
Cassidy's stories of the behemothic hoax that was "The Partridge Family unit" are shocking and sad and hilarious. His tales of his years as a "teen idol" are astonishing. I had no thought of his huge popularity or of the insanity that followed his appearances everywhere. Most surprising of all is his intelligence and his shrewd insight into the minds of his fellow entertainers. He talks well-nigh "the insecurities and self-assimilation" that seem to go with beingness an entertainer and how they affected his relationships and his career.
Happily, his third marriage lasted twenty years and produced a son. He was able to be the caring, easily-on father he didn't accept himself. Later on Jack Cassidy'southward death in 1976, David became close to his 3 half-brothers. The iv of them remained close, personally and professionally, for the rest of his life. His fan'southward never deserted him and he became a respected musician.
He never completely conquered the demons of his babyhood. As a grown man, he stayed abroad from drugs, but he was a third generation alcoholic and his DUI'southward were front end-page news. Jack Cassidy died boozer in a house burn after telling everyone that he'd given up alcohol. Xl-i years afterwards, David Cassidy died of liver failure. He had told everyone that he'd given up alcohol.
I'one thousand glad I read this volume. It's entertaining and tragic. Cassidy was built-in with then many advantages and yet the deck was stacked confronting him.
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An enjoyable biography. David Cassidy experienced some bitterness about beingness a teen idol in the 70's and later went through some night times. With age, maturity and therapy, hecame to realize that he needed to be in charge of his destiny and career.
Having read a few books written by female groupies, I thought David's take on the girls that threw themselves at him later on concerts and sho
One of my favorite actors and singers dorsum in the day. Gorging Partridge Family fan and yes I have some records!!!An enjoyable biography. David Cassidy experienced some bitterness nearly being a teen idol in the 70's and afterwards went through some dark times. With age, maturity and therapy, hecame to realize that he needed to be in charge of his destiny and career.
Having read a few books written by female groupies, I thought David'south take on the girls that threw themselves at him after concerts and shows was interesting. His philosophy was interesting about sexual intercourse vs. blow jobs and where they fell on the sex with fan scale.
In some ways he was a pioneer with the teen market and his backers seemed to know his window was 2 years for them to ca$h in. Good insite of life in the 60-70's - sexual activity, drugs and music being a teen's priority.
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I was ane of those girls who had photos of David Cassidy from Tiger Beat magazine pinned up on my wall in 1971. I was curious to discover out what happened to him after his teen idol days.
This memoir answers that question, merely does so in a dull and repetitive manner. Actually, how many times practice yous need to read the same things over and over?
What I really learned from the book is that David Cassidy was shallow, not very bright, and a total jerk to women. By the cease of t
Repetitive, dull, and unlikeableI was 1 of those girls who had photos of David Cassidy from Tiger Beat magazine pinned up on my wall in 1971. I was curious to notice out what happened to him subsequently his teen idol days.
This memoir answers that question, but does then in a dull and repetitive fashion. Really, how many times do y'all need to read the same things over and over?
What I really learned from the volume is that David Cassidy was shallow, non very bright, and a total jerk to women. By the finish of the volume I disliked him plenty that I didn't intendance how his life turned out.
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I was 1 of those pre teen girls who had David Cassidy as their first celebrity crush. This book had a lot of details I already knew but details I did non know. His outgoing and honest approach was wonderful, I could hear him.in my mind telling me his story. RIP David....
That I read his autobiography
Information technology's called C'mon, Get Happy
And I recommend it highly
It'due south a bout the troubles he had
Being a young Tv set star
Beingness controlled by the networks
And being taken advantage of
Being exploited and existence ripped off
By those who overworked him
Coming home from tours bankrupt
And cancelling tours due to over burnout
And of his battles with depression
I volition non reveal how he said that he overcame
And I leave that to you
As the book is a must read
Purchase that book tom "David Cassidy was so cool
That I read his autobiography
Information technology's called C'monday, Get Happy
And I recommend it highly
It's a bout the troubles he had
Being a young Telly star
Being controlled by the networks
And beingness taken advantage of
Being exploited and being ripped off
Past those who overworked him
Coming home from tours bankrupt
And cancelling tours due to over exhaustion
And of his battles with depression
I will not reveal how he said that he overcame
And I get out that to you
As the book is a must read
Buy that book tomorrow
It's ane of my favorite autobiographies"
- Sun Kil Moon "David Cassidy"
Fame is chased and cherished. To exist seen on youtube, instagram and social media everywhere, takes
a sure investment. Then there are the people who merely land in it. Teen Idol David Cassidy when asked by New York Times on why he became a teen idol delivered an interesting response. Echoing the same doubtfulness in his glory he stated the following. "Who can say why one person is singled out? Maybe because of the way I talk or look. Perhaps because i'm elementary, clean. There's no threat involved" (p.146).
Cassidy's autobiography is entrenched in the years from 1970 to 1976. A teen idol enticed with ultimate freedom, unlimited sexual opportunities, like shooting fish in a barrel access to drugs and an unwavering work ethic. It's a biography that captures his voice, his insecurities about his creative achievements. It's honest..funny..low-cal-hearted, and Cassidy lands on some difficult subjects about actuality, family unit and personal freedom.
My biggest issue with the book isn't that it's unenjoyable..just it'due south so light when information technology comes to the actually interesting things. Issues with his father are relegated to a small portions at the end and beginning of the book. The casual nature of the reading style makes it easy to dive into..merely the deep tangle of emotions and situations are largely left out. Also, how he dealt with depression is a really inspiring. Information technology'south an inspiring epiphany worked out over years of therapy. Nevertheless, because the book is and then focused on the years 1970 through 1975 it feels like there are pieces of the map missing.
"C'Monday, Get Happy" attempts to rebuke the idea that David Cassidy lacks substance and his truthful self is the plastic character actor he is known as. It isn't that Cassidy doesn't take depth..but his expression seems as animated and carefree as his social cocky. It's a casual conversation with an interesting pop idol. Cassidy possibly has more to say, or deeper insights...just actually it'southward just not on the page.
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This book moved me in means I never expected. I was in high school when The Partridge Family unit show was on Television receiver and then I definitely recall David Cassidy, knew the songs, etc. I was never wrapped up in being a fan, I call back I was just a little beyond the historic period for that, but I knew nearly him, knew girls that had his picture on their bedroom wall, etc. And even dorsum and so I understood how Screen Gems had fabricated teen idols out of the Monkees and the Partridge Family was no different. I knew how the ** Spoilers **
This book moved me in means I never expected. I was in high school when The Partridge Family unit testify was on Idiot box so I definitely call back David Cassidy, knew the songs, etc. I was never wrapped upwards in being a fan, I remember I was just a piffling across the age for that, but I knew about him, knew girls that had his picture on their bedroom wall, etc. And fifty-fifty back and so I understood how Screen Gems had made teen idols out of the Monkees and the Partridge Family was no different. I knew how the promotional for the TV testify made songs into hits, knew they created the hit song "Sugar Sugar" for a cartoon testify, etc. So yeah, even back then I knew the teen idol David Cassidy was a fabricated graphic symbol. But I never knew Cassidy's story until reading this biography. And information technology'southward a moving story, it really is. Cassidy had an incredible life of highs and lows. I picked information technology upwards to read it just to become down nostalgia lane about the early on seventy's, but I got and then much more that by reading this book. David Cassidy actually was nothing similar the character that Screen Gems created and he paid such a high toll for his fame. 1 could argue that he was simply a kid, nevertheless learning most himself when fame was thrust upon him. So many child stars have tragic tales and this was no different. One could besides fence that the experience Cassidy had existence a teen idol that was created by a tv set testify messed him up large time. Cassidy rode the wave of his fame because it was all he could do, and even in the peak he was miserable, lonely, unable to have a meaningful relationship, just had a few friends he could trust, etc. At the time that this volume was written, Cassidy hinted that he did finally detect happiness, did have a happy marriage, loved his 3 year old son, even said that he did not drink except for an occasional glass of wine. Honestly, I wanted a happy catastrophe for him. I felt that after all he went through he deserved to find happiness in some way.
But In the back of the book it is described how Cassidy died divorced and an alcoholic. I read that and I only stared at my Kindle screen for a while. I didn't see that coming. Yeah, Cassidy wasn't a perfect person. No one is. He did drugs, he used women, he may have been insensitive at times, but he was so immature and I knew a lot of guys during the early 70's with a similar mindset. I wish Cassidy'due south family well and I thank Cassidy for sharing his story. ...more
Cassidy strives to keep an upbeat tone while being frankly honest about the dark side of his experiences, just his lack of actual depth or introspection is painful and disappointing. The volume ends optimistically, describing his then-current Broadway run in "Blood Brothers" (with brother Shaun), his happy matrimony, hard only successful experience in therapy, and his ongoing friendship with and back up of boyfriend Partridge alum Danny Bonaduce.
As another reviewer wrote: If only it had ended there.
This edition of the book has an afterword written by Cassidy'south writing collaborator, describing the tragic years that followed: a return to drinking, the failure of his marriage, his DUI arrests and rehab, and likewise-young death.
As I read, I kept remembering the poignant terminal line of Carrie Fisher'due south memoir "The Princess Diarist": "What if I had been immune to be only Carrie?"
What if David Cassidy had trusted his gut and never gotten on the Partridge Family unit bus? Would he accept ended upward equally the dramatic actor and dejection-stone vocalizer he wanted to be? Would he have been able to truly "get happy"?
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The beginning half of this book is and then depressing. Cassidy was a mess to brainstorm with because of his troubled relationship with his securely troubled father. He was a drug addict and alcoholic and we acquire he wasn't good with money or managing his success (a common problem for immature people who make it very very big).
The book itself is repetitive (we hear over and over, for case, that David didn't make a nickel off of partridge family merchandise). He'due south also obsessed with his endowme
Completely honest?The commencement half of this book is so depressing. Cassidy was a mess to begin with because of his troubled relationship with his deeply troubled father. He was a drug addict and alcoholic and we larn he wasn't practiced with money or managing his success (a common trouble for young people who make information technology very very big).
The book itself is repetitive (we hear over and over, for instance, that David didn't make a nickel off of partridge family merchandise). He's besides obsessed with his endowment and talks about it repeatedly. The volume needs a copy editor (lots of missing periods at the finish of paragraphs).
My biggest question is the ending. Later on so much turmoil, sadness, and heartache, David tells us he'south at-home, drug and booze free, happily married, and determined to be a improve male parent to his son that Jack Cassidy was to David.
The book ends and we hear from the ghost writer that David fell back into drugs and alcohol, went bankrupt, that his wife divorced him, and that he died soon after. No transition in the story.
Was David telling them truth near his happiness? I sure hope and so. Simply why non requite us a chip more than context nearly the terminate of his life.
The second half of the story is a lot more than interesting. And information technology's wonderful to accept this document. But I'grand left with the nagging feeling that a big slice of the puzzle is missing at the very end of his story.
...more At times David's story is quite interesting, such as inevitably his travails every bit a teen idol. Merely he repeats himself a lot. Yes, we learned he enjoys sexual practice. Many times over. Nosotros learned that he'south the hardest working man in show biz (did James Brown know that?). Many times over. Some of the information was easy to miss - when I started
This book fluctuated in content quite a bit. Some of that tin can be attributed to the editing. Some to the actual text. Of form, I don't know who to point the finger at.At times David's story is quite interesting, such equally inevitably his travails equally a teen idol. Just he repeats himself a lot. Yes, we learned he enjoys sex activity. Many times over. We learned that he'due south the hardest working homo in show biz (did James Dark-brown know that?). Many times over. Some of the information was like shooting fish in a barrel to miss - when I started the volume I actually skipped over the office that discussed the creation of the Partridge Family and how he became a part of information technology. Then I realized I'd skipped a number of pages without fifty-fifty realizing information technology.
It was sort of fun to read because I remember the prove. Just I'm not so sure that if I weren't home on lockdown I would have gotten through this book. I dear celeb bios, but for the most office, this didn't really concur my interest. All in all, I establish David'southward portrayal of himself to be a somewhat shallow person.
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