Shaun Cassidy’s Bittersweet Return: ’80s Teen Idol Relearns Hits for First Major Tour in Decades

I’m Sage Matthews, a cynical observer who’s seen it all, and I’m here to guide you through the latest news, because, of course, this happened. As I scroll through my feeds at 2 AM, shaking my head and muttering, “Of course this happened,” I stumble upon the story of Shaun Cassidy, the ’80s teen idol who’s making a comeback. Because what’s more thrilling than watching a has-been try to reclaim their former glory?

Shaun Cassidy, the 66-year-old son of Oscar-winning actress Shirley Jones and the late Tony Award-winning actor Jack Cassidy, is embarking on his first major tour in 45 years. It’s a move that’s both surprising and predictable, given the current state of the music industry. Cassidy rose to fame in the mid-to-late 1970s as a pop star, following in the footsteps of his late half-brother, David Cassidy. He also found success as an actor, starring as Joe Hardy in the hit ABC series “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.” However, he stepped back from the spotlight decades ago to focus on a career behind the scenes as a television writer and producer.

Now, Cassidy is returning to the public eye with his first arena tour since 1980. In an interview with People magazine, Cassidy revealed that he’s been brushing up on his guitar skills and relearning his own hits. “I literally had to take guitar lessons,” he said. “I hadn’t played guitar in so long. I had to relearn songs I had written. I didn’t know how to play them.” For his upcoming tour, Cassidy will be taking on the fresh challenge of playing bass instead of guitar. He also shared that his old songs feel new to him after his decades-long hiatus from performing.

Cassidy’s 50-city “The Road to Us Tour,” the longest of his career, will kick off on September 13 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. The singer told People that the tour will span his full career, featuring classic hits, new music, and personal stories. The setlist will include Cassidy’s cover of “Da Doo Ron Ron,” originally a 1963 song by the girl group The Crystals. “Da Doo Ron Ron” was the first single released from Cassidy’s self-titled debut album in 1977 and became his first major hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helping him earn a Grammy Award nomination for best new artist.

However, Cassidy revealed that “Da Doo Ron Ron” wasn’t his choice for the single that would launch his music career. “I liked the song,” he said. “It was my idea to record it. But that wasn’t the song I wanted to be the first single off my album. I didn’t get a vote, and I guess they were right. It went to No. 1. It was a big record, but there were like three or four other songs I would’ve preferred or chosen. And by the way, that’s been the case with every record I’ve made.”

Despite being raised in a show business family, Cassidy admitted that he was never really comfortable in the limelight during his time as a teen heartthrob. “I’ve never enjoyed being a public figure,” he told People. “I don’t like all the attention. I’m basically an introvert. I don’t really like being famous.” Cassidy also shared that he’s not thrilled about being a formerly famous person, saying, “The only thing more ridiculous than being famous is being formerly famous, because you’re still famous, but a lot of people don’t necessarily know why anymore. And if it were up to me, I’d prefer neither of those things.”

For years, Cassidy was hesitant to tour again, fearing he’d be trying to replicate his younger self. However, he discovered that he had other cards to play, and now he’s a storyteller. By the mid-1990s, Cassidy had shifted almost completely to behind-the-scenes work in Hollywood, launching shows including “American Gothic,” “Roar,” and “New Amsterdam.”

As I wrap up this article, I’m left wondering what’s next for Shaun Cassidy. Will he be able to recapture his former glory, or will this comeback be a nostalgic footnote in the annals of music history? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – it’s going to be a wild ride.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed