Shaun Cassidy: Reflections of my Youth

Born Late Album Cover 1977

Is Shaun Cassidy just another teen idol from the seventies that has long been forgotten? Maybe some people feel that way about him, but he will always hold a special place in my heart because he was the only one that left many fans feeling good about him. He wasn’t perfect, though you couldn’t convince some people of that, including me. Cassidy is about as close to it as you can get though. He made all the little girl’s hearts beat a little faster, and their parents and brothers would go insane listening to Da Doo Ron Ron a hundred times a day. From all appearances, he was one teen idol that didn’t fall into the snares so many others have fallen into.

I went to see Shaun Cassidy in concert, oh so many years ago. I was an avid fan who had his photos splashed all over the back of my bedroom door. I drove my brother insane because I played the same album over and over again and usually the same songs. Like many other girls around the world at the time, I was going to be his wife someday. That never happened obviously, but, oh, just to daydream about it. I waited patiently for every second Sunday at 7:00 PM to watch Shaun play the role of Joe Hardy on the Hardy Boys series. I was so disappointed when the show was not aired because of a golf game that took precedence. It was a good time, an easier time for most, but there was more lurking in Shaun’s life which was hidden from the world. He doesn’t, nor did he ever make a big deal out of anything bad that happened to him; not publicly anyway. There has to be something that lurks in to ruin that picture perfect image though, and for me, it came some thirty-eight years later.

Did I mention that Shaun has a bazillion kids? (I think the count is up to seven now, but who knows, there could be more additions since then.)

Shaun saw his share of troubles; after all, he has been married three times. That’s a track record that nobody wants to contend with, but it is what it is, so I hear. That seems to be the norm in Hollywood, so it isn’t as alarming as it would be if he were just a normal person living in some other town in the United States. In fact, scratch that, it is becoming the norm all over, so it just makes him like everyone else.

Shirley Jones, Jack Cassidy and Shaun Cassidy

There were troubles along the way for Shaun while he was growing up though. Several books point out the fact that his father was not an easy man to live with. Jack Cassidy was a stage actor who was killed in December of 1976 after a fire swept through his penthouse apartment. He was deeply troubled and is said to have had bi-polar disorder and suffered from alcoholism. Shaun’s mother is Shirley Jones who was also an actress, but much more successful than Jack was. Patrick and Ryan are his younger brothers and David Cassidy is his half-brother.

Shaun Cassidy, Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Ryan Cassidy and Patrick Cassidy

 Jack Cassidy was far from the perfect role model, as outlined in books written by Shirley Jones, Marty Ingels and David Cassidy. He was prone to rage and often took his anger out on his family members. That is not to say he was physically abusive, as I have not read that he was, but he was certainly verbally abusive to them. It was also said that he frequently cheated on his wife, Shirley, during their marriage. Rumors sometimes fly without any backing, however; these allegations came from the people who knew him best, his family.

With all of that said, Shaun’s family had nothing but glowing reports about him. They said that he was always older for his age, taking on the role of caretaker in many instances. He helped his mother through very difficult times, according to Shirley. After his father left the home, Shaun took on the role as man of the house, helping guide his two younger siblings. It is only a guess to say that he took on teen idol status as a way to help care for his family. It was a good move and when the time came, he bowed out gracefully, never looking back with anger or distaste. Always humble about where he had been and smiling because he had the opportunity to do it. That is why it is easy to still love Shaun Cassidy. For all we know, he could have had the exact same problems as everyone else in his position. He didn’t talk about it though, and that squeaky clean image continued to emanate from the minds of those little girls who are now grown women with families of their own.

When Shaun appeared on Oprah, he played the piano and sang one of his hit songs from the seventies. He was somewhat shy about it, a good quality to see in someone who once stood in front of thousands of fans live to belt out the tunes that helped make him a success. He appears to be happy and well adjusted for someone who had seen that type of fame. His success didn't go to his head. That may be what attracted a longer standing fan base than others might have.

As much as we like to follow what is going on in the lives of those we once loved to listen to and watch when their lives go wrong, it's more satisfying to see someone become a great success and then settle nicely into normal life. Shaun had a plan that included learning how to be successful in life rather than successful at fame and fortune. Though some people think those things are one in the same, they are polar opposites.

Thanks for the memories Shaun. I was an avid fan then and then moved on. Now I am a fan again, but with a greater understanding of life. My innocence is long gone like everyone else growing up at the time. Now, I am a fan because you put a little faith back in me. I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Cassidy. May all Hollywood kids of today find the same kind of success that Shaun Cassidy has found in his "after teen idol" life.