As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I find myself cruising my trusty Dodge Ram 250 into the Maverick Saloon’s parking lot, followed by a dramatic swing open of the passenger door. The cool cabin air rushes out, leaving me, clad in sunglasses, black denims, and a black T-shirt, behind the wheel.
Originally a popular teen idol who reached number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 with his cheerful rendition of “Da Doo Ron Ron” in 1977 (seven years after his mother, Shirley Jones, and half-brother David Cassidy achieved the same feat as the Partridge Family with “I Think I Love You”), is arranging a lunch meeting at a nearby vineyard in Santa Barbara County for us to discuss his upcoming concert tour.
He jokingly commented that the location was just as large as Knott’s Berry Farm, stating he didn’t fancy spending twenty minutes searching for you. Thus, his decision to meet you here instead.
× The drive offers Cassidy, aged 66, an opportunity to display some of the scenic area that has been his home since 2011, after moving from Hidden Hills with his wife, Tracey, and their four children. He also has three more children from two previous marriages. Cassidy notes that the region isn’t as secluded as it once was, following the pandemic. He has spent the past few decades working in television production. As he navigates through the truck, a panini shop and a microblading clinic pass by. “COVID-19 occurred, and all of a sudden, it became part of Los Angeles – many more new residents,” he says.
Instead of saying “But I grew up in L.A. and New York”, you could rephrase it as “Growing up, I lived in both Los Angeles and New York.”
For “Cassidy’s dad was the actor Jack Cassidy,” a possible paraphrase is “Jack Cassidy, an actor, was Cassidy’s father.”
As for “and I always envied people that came from somewhere else”, you could rephrase it as “I often admired those who originated from different places.”
For “My folks told us, ‘Don’t worry, we’re gonna buy a farm in Pennsylvania or move upstate,’ and it never happened,” a possible paraphrase is “They reassured us that we’d have a rural property in Pennsylvania or somewhere else in the countryside, but those plans never came to fruition.”
Lastly, for “Here in the Santa Ynez Valley, Cassidy adds, “I’ve managed to manifest the family life that my father always told me was important but somehow couldn’t find for himself,”” a possible paraphrase is “In the Santa Ynez Valley, Cassidy mentions that they have successfully created the family life that his father believed was essential but couldn’t seem to achieve himself.
Now he’s leaving home for his most extensive run of shows in more than 40 years.
The tour starting this Saturday at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry by the famous entertainer Cassidy, which extends until March, will bring back the catchy pop tunes that he produced during his time as Joe Hardy on “The Hardy Boys Mysteries” TV series. As the younger sibling of a well-known heartthrob, Cassidy’s debut was a huge success: His self-titled album for Warner Bros. Records sold platinum in just a few months and produced three Top 10 hits with “That’s Rock ’n’ Roll,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” and “Hey Deanie.” In 1978, Cassidy was even nominated for best new artist at the Grammy Awards, where he performed a lively version of “That’s Rock ’n’ Roll” in a white pantsuit at the age of 19.
“This young man,” proclaimed the show’s host, John Denver, “is definitely going places.”
Four LPs arrived in quick succession, culminating with the unconventionally quirky “Wasp.” For this album, Cassidy enlisted Todd Rundgren as the producer. Subsequently, following a concert at Houston’s Astrodome in 1980, Cassidy unexpectedly retired from music to pursue his true passions: writing and acting.
He admits, as we drive onto a dirt road towards Vega Vineyard & Farm, “I didn’t enjoy being famous.” However, he felt compelled by it. Being from a family with a high profile, he explains, “I needed to be famous. I didn’t want to spend my life as someone’s child or sibling. So, I had to step into the limelight and make myself known. Once that was achieved, I could then decide what I wanted to accomplish.
At present, Cassidy feels that his vocal performance is stronger than ever before, a sentiment echoed by his longtime friend Bernie Taupin. As a result, he’s considering making a comeback on stage now.
The lyricist who’s renowned for working with Elton John for over half a century comments on Shaun’s voice evolution: “It has developed in an exceptional manner.” Additionally, he points out that Shaun possesses a natural talent for storytelling.
Truly, Cassidy’s live performance, something he’s been refining occasionally since 2019, is a captivating blend of music and stories that offers a glimpse into his extraordinary life, a tale I believe should one day grace the pages of a book. As he puts it, “Courage and unflinching honesty are crucial when penning a memoir.” He looks up to Patti Smith’s “Just Kids” (2010) as an exemplary work to emulate. “David wrote a less-than-stellar book,” he admits, “and my mother did too. So, I feel a sense of responsibility to portray our family truthfully and faithfully in any written account.
Music
Sixty years following the demise of the Rock and Roll’s monarch, a fresh compilation is released, centering around his works produced in Los Angeles during the early seventies.
Currently, we’re comfortably situated at a shaded picnic table, and a server has generously delivered some wines from Cassidy’s collection, aptly named “My First Crush.” As for our meals, we also have a couple of Greek salads. Cassidy expresses, “I don’t think there’s any topic I would be afraid to address. My greater concern is causing harm instead.
Who did you compare yourself to when explaining your ’70s fame to your youngest child using Harry Styles as a reference point? She has his poster on her wall, and her mother said, “You know, your father was just like him.” My daughter initially found this hard to believe, saying, “That old guy there? Not possible.” However, I could be linked by a connection. At the time, my record had reached No. 1 a week or two before Elvis Presley’s death, causing many reporters to ask, “How do you feel about Elvis passing? How do you feel about filling the King’s shoes?” To which I responded, “If he died at 42, I don’t want to be in those shoes.
Was it really you who made that comment to the journalist? I’d prefer to express it more delicately, but there’s a kernel of truth in your words. You see, Ricky Nelson had just appeared on “The Hardy Boys,” and I found myself pondering a thought: I didn’t aspire to be a guest star on TV shows when I was 40. Now, my brother David struggled with fame, and he served as an example of what not to do. On the other hand, my mother, who lives just a few minutes away and is 91 years young, has always been a model of grace, kindness, and happiness – qualities that I aim to emulate.
I often refer to myself as being in the world of entertainment, but I’m not deeply rooted or associated with it. I adore the craft and the innovative aspect – glamour events like the red carpet aren’t really my scene. She never fit that mold either. Her attitude was, “They tell me where to go, I show up and do what they ask.” And the audience absolutely adores her for it.
In 1978, there’s an impressive picture of you standing in your backyard next to a pool, featured in the L.A. Times. At that time, I was just turning 18, residing with my mom in Beverly Hills. My parents were separated, and sadly, my father passed away during the filming of the pilot, which was quite distressing. Desiring to escape that environment, I managed to purchase a house without any down payment, thanks to our family’s business manager convincing a bank that I was earning $2,500 a week on a new series. This transaction took place while my mother was away from home.
Was she pissed?
No, she wasn’t. She was happy for me — sort of. Yeah, maybe. I don’t know.
In your response, you displayed a wide range of emotions, making it quite intriguing. You mentioned moving away from a place after living there for just a year due to earning substantial income now. However, as per your business manager’s advice, investing in real estate and spending more money seems unnecessary, and it turned out to be a questionable decision. Instead of buying additional property, you kept the initial house you purchased and invested the rest in the stock market, which could potentially secure your financial stability for life.
Somebody shows me a house located on Mulholland with stunning views of the Valley and Beverly Hills. The house is situated on a hilltop and features a swimming pool. Upon my initial visit, I notice a recording truck in the driveway and find out that Fleetwood Mac is there working on something. Previously, I had met Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac.
As Warner Bros. artists before joining Fleetwood Mac, they were frequently seen at L.A. parties. I was quite busy back then. My parents sent me to a boarding school in Pennsylvania in 1973, but I often skipped to go to CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City instead. Danny Fields, who was managing the Ramones at that time, took me to see them perform at CBGB’s when I was just 15. But how did I know Danny Fields? Because he used to write for 16 Magazine where [the editor in chief] Gloria Stavers would occasionally publish my pictures without a record deal, saying “Here’s another Cassidy – isn’t he adorable?
Danny was quite intriguing; he had been the manager of Iggy Pop, whom I knew personally from our shared experiences on Sunset Boulevard during Hollywood’s transitional period when Jim was between jobs. He was a smart individual who significantly impacted me. In my early days, I performed at Rodney Bingenheimer’s club. There, I was shirtless with a bow tie, yelling, and resembling Iggy Pop around the age of 14 or 15.
Before turning 18, your wildest years were already behind you, with all the chaos that comes with it. In order to play a clean-cut character on “The Hardy Boys,” I had to remove my piercing.
Do you sometimes feel confined or limited by your job? Not for me, because when acting, my self-worth wasn’t tied to the show’s success. My dear friend Miguel Ferrer once shared with me advice from his father, José Ferrer – a renowned actor. He said, “So, my boy, you’re thinking of going into the business? Let me give you a piece of advice: I have known success and failure, and they are both impostors.” This wisdom, originating from Rudyard Kipling, has stayed with me. Regarding projects like “Wasp,” I don’t consider them failures; instead, I view them as daring awakenings.
In the ’80s, I was part of a unique pop idol moment, known as “Wasp.” During this time, I sang a mix of crooning, yowling, and barking through fresh interpretations of hits from artists such as David Bowie, the Who, and Talking Heads. These performances were backed by members of Todd Rundgren’s group Utopia. It was an exhilarating experience to be a part of that new-wave musical journey!
As a film enthusiast myself, I couldn’t help but yearn for the opportunity to collaborate with Todd. The making of “Room Service” in 1979 left me discontent, as there was an overwhelming pressure from the record company to delve into disco – a genre that never resonated with me and felt entirely unnatural. By then, Rundgren had already made his mark producing hip records for the New York Dolls and Patti Smith Group, while also racking up hits like “I Saw the Light” and “Hello It’s Me.” He turned to me, saying, “You’re an actor – let’s explore acting.” And so, we conjured characters and dabbled in various creative endeavors.
The album failed to succeed, with Cassidy stating that his listeners weren’t receptive to it and there was a lack of new listeners tuning in on FM radio who would support him. He mentioned that only eight copies were sold.
According to what a Warner Bros. executive advised him, which was absolutely correct, Cassidy chose to remain at home during the 1980s. “My weekly indulgence would be on Friday nights,” he explained. “I’d use my rockstar earnings to buy $250 worth of books from Crown Books and drive home in my Porsche.
In 1993, he let his brother lure him into co-starring in the musical “Blood Brothers” on Broadway.
No, no, no – we can conquer Broadway!” As it happened, the collaboration proved to be incredibly rewarding emotionally, and the show turned out to be a massive success. Unfortunately, David passed away from liver failure in 2017.
Music
Prior to the debut of Part 2 of HBO’s ‘And So It Goes,’ scheduled for this coming Friday evening, here is a list, arranged in order of popularity, showcasing Billy Joel’s most successful songs.
Despite finding significant success with “Blood Brothers,” Shaun soon gravitated back towards television production. His first creation, “American Gothic,” premiered in 1995, a milestone he considers more meaningful than having “Da Doo Ron Ron” reach the top of the charts as a number one single. Since then, Shaun has served as an executive producer for shows like “Cover Me,” “Cold Case,” “The Agency,” and “New Amsterdam,” among others.
According to Steve Lukather, the Toto guitarist and longtime friend of Shaun Cassidy, Cassidy underwent a significant transformation in his career, essentially starting anew as a performer. This revelation came as a surprise to Cassidy’s wife, who works in television, since she was unaware that he had a musical background when they first met on one of his shows.
The singer reminisces, “I asked, ‘What’s your hometown?’ to which Tracey replied, ‘Miami.’ I responded, ‘I’ve performed in Miami before.’ She then inquired, ‘In what role?’
Although Lukather believes his friend has been feeling a bit nostalgic for performing live lately, he’s still got the hang of things. Cassidy, who intends to play bass in the upcoming show, reached out to Lukather recently seeking advice. I suggested to him that he should keep it simple – not to overcomplicate things. It’s not like he’s preparing for a Mahavishnu Orchestra performance.
At 3:30 PM, Cassidy needs to attend a virtual pitch meeting for a new show at 4 PM. However, before that, he must collect his youngest daughter from school. So, he gets back into his truck and drives from the vineyard to pick her up.
During our journey, he shares that he’s been developing a couple of fresh tunes – these being his initial self-produced tracks since he added them to his albums with musical greats such as Eric Carmen, Brian Wilson, and Carole Bayer Sager years ago. One of them seems reminiscent of Mel Tormé’s style, he mentions. “As for the other one, it has a strong, anthemic feel – perhaps similar to that of the Killers.
Tracey shared with me later that it’s enjoyable to watch him express his love for storytelling through the piano rather than the computer. However, Cassidy is aware that his audiences at performances still anticipate hearing the familiar classics.
At the peak of my teen idol era, who did I secretly aspire to become?
During that time, I attended my first concert which was the Rolling Stones at the Forum in 1972, with Stevie Wonder opening. I captured those moments and hung the photos on my wall. Mick and Keith in ’72 – it was an unforgettable experience. I also watched David Bowie during “Diamond Dogs” in ’74. Additionally, I frequently saw Iggy perform. Somewhere between these three memorable events is where I wished I could have been. However, I knew better and chose to stay safer than that.
What image does the child’s performance of “That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll” at the Grammys convey? He appears self-assured yet not arrogant. Later, Lou Rawls remarked to me, “Son, always keep the audience in view.” To which I replied, “They seemed to enjoy it when I moved my behind.
You lost best new artist that night.
So did Foreigner. Lou Gramm somewhere is still upset.
I wondered if you remembered who else was in the category.
Debby, of course.
It’s worth noting that Debby Boone gained her success not just due to being a “nepo baby” (a term used for individuals in entertainment whose careers were helped by having family members already established in the industry), but also because of her own talent and hard work. To rephrase, she became successful in the music industry, similar to how someone might inherit and run their family’s hardware store-it’s all about merit and dedication. As for Andy Gibb, he was indeed a brother of Debby Boone and also had a successful career in music.
Stephen Bishop and Andy Gibb.
I knew Andy a little bit.
In essence, you could say that he was in a situation somewhat parallel to yours, as he was the younger sibling of a famous pop star, the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb. However, his journey had its own unique challenges, as it seemed that Barry’s popularity often overshadowed Andy, making it harder for people to truly understand or appreciate who Andy really was. Despite this, it doesn’t appear that Andy resented it, possibly seeing it as a path to achieving his dream of becoming a Bee Gee, with Barry guiding the way.
How did your interactions with David regarding advice play out? Well, David rarely offered advice as he himself was going through a tough phase career-wise. When I sought his opinion on certain matters, I could sense his internal struggle. It wasn’t that he wished me to fail, but rather, he seemed unable to appreciate my success during his difficult time. Consequently, I chose not to discuss such matters with him.
How did you feel when he appeared naked on the cover of Rolling Stone?
I thought it was rather foolish at first. I saw it as his “Wasp” moment – I couldn’t help but think, “You’re shooting yourself in the foot here, whether you realize it or not.” However, looking back, I’m less convinced. It’s an intriguing image. To be honest, all I can say is that he was quite vocal in the media. He had a grudge because he wasn’t on the same level as Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix, musicians he admired greatly. It felt like he was saying, “Fine, play as well as Hendrix and maybe you’ll be Hendrix.” But here’s a man who is incredibly likable and has a massive hit TV show that millions adore. He has the world at his feet. So I ask myself, why is this a bad decision?
How come you grasped it but he didn’t? That could be because I am Shirley’s child, while he isn’t. Plus, I had the opportunity to observe you handle things differently.
Have you ever felt a lack of needing to be taken seriously? That’s not my case; I have always taken myself seriously, and it’s somewhat uncommon in the world of entertainment. I didn’t rely on the audience’s affection to feel complete.
You got that love elsewhere, and David didn’t.
He would say that.
Is it possible that he wasn’t mistaken? You see, to my mother I was infallible – her opinion carried no weight at all. However, if you’re going to take someone’s side, it’s better to be on the one who wasn’t there often. Both of his parents were actors, so they were away a lot. Later, his father left his mother to marry a famous actress and have another child. Given that circumstances, David had every motive to dislike me as a child, but he didn’t.
As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you from personal experience, my brother had an incredibly kind spirit – it’s hard not to get emotional when reminiscing about him. Unfortunately, he carried a deep wound that he couldn’t seem to heal. While I’m not a therapist, I spent countless hours with him. The beauty of the movie “Blood Brothers” lies in its ability to level the playing field; neither of us were popular sensations, and yet, it was the one place where we could connect over our shared experiences. Of all the things I miss about him, it’s that unique bond we had – he was the only person who truly understood my journey.
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2025-09-12 13:34