Why didn’t the Partridge Family ever tour?

[TMC]

Why didn’t the Partridge Family ever tour?

In 1970, the Partridge Family had a #1 hit that outsold the Beatles. But a real-life tour was impossible: five of the seven "band members" were just actors faking it.

When you bought a Partridge Family record, you weren’t actually listening to Danny Bonaduce shred on the bass or Susan Dey play the keyboard. The instrumental tracks were recorded by "The Wrecking Crew"—a group of Los Angeles session musicians who provided the backing tracks for acts ranging from The Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra.

As for the vocals, only two members of the TV cast sang on the albums: Shirley Jones (Shirley Partridge) and her real-life stepson, David Cassidy (Keith Partridge). Jones was already an Academy Award-winning actress and accomplished musical theater singer. Cassidy was hired for his acting and teen-idol looks, but when the producers heard his voice, they made him the lead vocalist.

The rest of the children in the cast were strictly lip-syncing and mimicking instrument playing for the cameras. Susan Dey (Laurie) famously didn't know how to play the piano and just hit random keys during filming. Danny Bonaduce (Danny) was a child actor, not a bassist. The younger children, Suzanne Crough (Tracy) and Jeremy Gelbwaks (Chris, later replaced by Brian Forster), were just holding props.

The music itself was a commercial success, with songs like "I Think I Love You" topping the Billboard charts. This popularity led David Cassidy to launch a solo touring career.

Cassidy traveled the world performing to sold-out stadiums, playing a mix of his own material and Partridge Family hits. When he took the stage, he was backed by professional touring musicians, not his television siblings.

[Chocolate Moose]

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