Junk Box Jury

Taken from the LP ‘Only A Moment Ago’ | (Sounds Superb SPR 900834) 1975 **re-issue of first album from 1970

The Partridge Family | “I’m On The Road” | (Sounds Superb) | Not since the Monkees has any pop-based TV show achieved such phenomenal success as that which took the Partridge Family to the top of the viewing ratings — and the record charts — around the world.

Of course, the very formula was in itself an absolute winner: an attractive young widow with a lively bunch of pop-music-playing children. They need a keyboard player so who better than mum?

First record goes to the top of the charts and the weekly stories follow on from there. But what really made the Partridge Family such a success was the sheer persona of its members, most of all David Cassidy who used the show as a springboard to solo stardom as the biggest teen idol since Elvis and the Beatles, with Donny Osmond as his only serious rival.

David, who played Keith Partridge in the show, is the son of famous actor Jack Cassidy. His real-life stepmother is Shirley Jones — Mrs Partridge in the series, Pretty Susan Dey, already a famous face via TV commercials, played Laurie while Danny Bonaduce played Danny Partridge, he ten year old red-haired, freckled imp.The Partridge Family was completed by Brian Forster as Chris and Suzanne Crough as Tracy.

It was in 1970 that the Partridge Family premiered on American TV and the show was an instant smash, a success also converted into record sales. Indeed, every Partridge Family single and album has topped the one-million sales’ mark earning a bumper bundle of gold disc awards. Partridge Power soon spread around the world.

The Partridge Family | “I’m On The Road” | (Sounds Superb)

By late 1970 the show was being seen in Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand. The next year it came to Britain and was also winning fans in such far apart places as Kenya, Chile and Greece with local language over-dubs.

A good, clean, family show, the Partridge Family appealed to all age groups but it was the youngsters in particular who went crazy over the records and particularly David Cassidy’s lead vocals.

It was David’s desire to further his solo career which eventually Ied to the show ending but though there will be no fresh programmes Partridge Power continues to exert a strong influence and the series is certain of many screenings around the globe, while the records continue to sell in droves. (ROGER ST. PIERRE)

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cost of record: £2
from: British Heart Foundation