Fans cherish memories of hearthrob’s Glasgow gig
THERE was Bonnie, who had his pictures on the wall, and cried when he got engaged. Karen fell in love with him at 13 – and finally got to meet him, 30 years later. And Lucie and Victoria were such big fans they wrote a play about it...
Teenage heart-throb and actor David Cassidy had a huge impact on the fans he inspired all over the world.
Our recent feature on his 1974 gig in Glasgow, when he played to 11,000 people at Shawfield Stadium on the South Side of the city, prompted reader and Cassidy superfan Louise Poynton to get in touch.
Louise has recently published a book of fans’ memories of the star – Cherish: David Cassidy – A Legacy Of Love – who died in 2017.
“I have been a fan of David Cassidy since 1971 and one of the reasons I became a journalist was to meet him,” explains Louise.
“That never happened, but I did see him in concert four times.
“Started a few years before he died, Cherish went through many drafts. I was overwhelmed at the depth of emotion from female – and male – fans who have exposed themselves emotionally in ways which even surprised them.”
In the book, fans from all over the world explain what it has meant to them to be a David Cassidy fan, the impact he had on their lives and how crushed they felt when he died.
“A part of all of us died that day,” says Louise. “There are around 200 contributions, including poems, portraits, tattoos which fans have designed and had inked on to their skin since his death, plus tributes from friends, colleagues who worked with him, musicians and actors.”
Some fans recall his concerts, including Glasgow, and the book has an interview with Lucie Fitchett and Victoria Willing whose play, Could It Be Forever?, received five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The comedy drama is based around a reunion of old school friends who step back in time to when David Cassidy came to town, examining their lives and looking at what happened to their aspirations.
In Louise’s book, Victoria explains: “We both had an innocent infatuation with David when we were at school. He was so beautiful you could not take your eyes off him.” Lucie added: “I think people responded to something spiritual with David – there was something ... charm or charisma does not cover it. Our play explores all
those emotions of what he meant to so many.”
Louise interviewed Karen Byrom, who met Cassidy after his Glasgow concert in 2002.
“The actual meeting went by in a blur,” she says. “I told him I loved his music, he gave me a handshake and a chaste kiss and signed my programme, his publicity woman took a picture on my camera and then it was over.”
Former sports editor Louise adds: “As teenagers in the early 1970s, when David Cassidy sang, you felt he was singing to you.
“He brought considerable happiness to millions. These memories, which echo across time, have been written by his fans in their own words. There is also a collection of beautiful poems composed over the past 50 years.”
Louise says: “David occupies a special place in the hearts of millions around the world.
“When he died, almost seven million people took to Twitter to express their love and respect. At the same time fans mourned their lost childhood as much as they grieved for their first crush and a pivotal influence on a generation.
“Cherish is a standing ovation to his life and the gift of love he gave the world through his music.”
Are you a David Cassidy superfan? Did you see the star in Glasgow? Email ann. fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk