There’s a Family Guy episode in which Peter, Quagmire, Joe and Cleveland riff on how lame Barry Manilow is until they eventually admit they absolutely love the guy. I have to admit I have sort of the same feelings about David Cassidy. And oh, by the way, Barry Manilow isn’t that bad either.
I was saddened when I heard the news Cassidy died earlier this week. I still sing along whenever I’m driving and Cassidy’s “I Think I Love You” comes on the radio. Of course, that’s when I’m by myself in my car. If I’m driving and there’s someone else in the car — particularly another man or other men — I pull the Family Guy act and start making fun of Cassidy.
This kind of thing reminds me of that old Chevy Truck commercial when the macho men are riding in their truck in some rugged land and one of the guys is enthusiastically singing to Shania Twain’s “I Feel Like a Woman” while the other guys look at him like he’s lost it. Of course, I too sing along to that song in the car — when I’m by myself.
Of course, my love of Cassidy stems from my time as a kid when I would watch shows like “The Partridge Family” and “The Brady Bunch.” Of course, Barry Williams has the edge on Cassidy. Cassidy just dated his (fictional) sister — Susan Dey. Williams dated his (fictional) sister Maureen McCormick and his (fictional) mother Florence Henderson.
Like most teen idols, Cassidy never really got the respect he deserved as he really was a great all-around talent, a great actor and musician.
And I will still sing along to “I Think I Love You” — when I’m by myself.
— Charles Whisnand
