FAREWELL, DAVID
Tribute to the former teen idol
Hollywood is in mourning after TV and music star David Cassidy passed away last week, aged 67, following a long illness.
The actor, known for playing Keith Partridge in the hit musical sitcom The Partridge Family in the ‘70s, succumbed to liver and kidney failure in a Florida hospital, a result of decades of alcohol abuse.
“On behalf of the entire Cassidy family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, our uncle and our dear brother David Cassidy,” announced a representative of the family.
“David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long.”
The entertainer also suffered from dementia and had acute arthritis – the combination forced him to retire earlier this year as he struggled to remember lyrics.
The ‘70s heart-throb made it big following his role in The Partridge Family, alongside his real-life stepmum Shirley Jones. Following the success of the TV show, David went on to have a successful career as a solo artist while still performing the hits from the show – and the term “Cassidymania” was born.
Songs such as Dreams are Nuthin’ More than Wishes, I Write the Songs and How
Can I Be Sure saw his star rise to astronomical heights, however, by the ‘80s, he was broke.
In 2002, the drinking began, followed by three stints in rehab. Still, David’s ardent fans were there for him and, in 2014, he said he had a “spiritual experience” that altered his life.
“I dropped to my knees and I felt something go through me. I felt this experience that was just, thank you, God. I felt this relief. I was crying and weeping like a litte boy... I felt this incredible sense of relief because I stopped lying to myself.”
He was married three times, all ending in divorce and had two children – actress Katie Cassidy (30), with whom he was estranged from for a time, and son Beau (26). But in the end, the Cassidy clan put their differences aside to be at David’s bedside.
“There had been many family issues because of his alcoholism, but they are all reuniting in support of him,” a source says.
Rest in peace, David.