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The Partridge Family
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
The Partridge Family was a fictional pop group in an American musical comedy series on the ABC network, devised by Bernard Slade. The series ran from September 1970 to March 1974. It revolves around the widow Shirley Partridge, played by Shirley Jones, and her children, including Keith, played by David Cassidy, Laurie and Danny. Together with manager Reuben Kincaid they make a hit and go on tour in a bus painted with Mondrian patterns. The family was loosely based on the Cowsills, a real family band of the late 1960s.
Music and breakthrough
The music, however, was not an act. In the early days the actors pretended to sing while records by session musicians were played. Shirley Jones was initially the only one who really sang. After Cassidy had shown music producer Wes Farrell that he could sing, he was allowed to record his own parts. For the rest, well-known studio musicians played, now known as the Wrecking Crew, and the Ron Hicklin Singers sang the backing vocals. The sound of the Partridge Family was therefore a studio creation.
Influence
The first single I Think I Love You, written by Tony Romeo, came out in 1970. It spent three weeks at number one on the American Hot 100 and sold more than five million copies. With that the Partridge Family became, after a few other cartoon characters, the third fictional artist with a number one. The albums followed one another quickly, from The Partridge Family Album in 1970 to Crossword Puzzle in 1973. Cassidy felt trapped by fame and broke with his wholesome image in 1972. The group shows how pop could be made as a product: a television family, a studio band and an idol.
Listening
Discography
Studio albums
- 1970The Partridge Family Album
- 1971A Partridge Family Christmas Card
- 1971Sound Magazine
- 1971Up to Date
- 1972Shopping Bag
- 1972The Partridge Family Notebook
- 1973Bulletin Board
- 1973Crossword Puzzle
In School of Rock
The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.
- Mixtape 2: Youth Cultures 1950-1980NL Reader