As a home design expert and pop culture enthusiast, I‘ve always had a soft spot for The Partridge Family. This iconic 70s sitcom followed the heartwarming adventures of a musical family touring the country in their signature psychedelic bus. But did Shirley Jones, David Cassidy and the rest of the cast actually sing their wildly popular songs themselves? Let‘s dig in and get the full scoop!
The Story Behind the Music
While the cast portrayed a family band, the real vocals were provided by studio session musicians, most notably:
- David Cassidy -Lead vocals and some guitar/bass
- Shirley Jones – Backing vocals
- The Cowsills – Additional vocals and instrumental work
By the Numbers: Partridge Family Record Sales
Over their 4 years on air, The Partridge Family released 8 studio albums and achieved impressive sales:
- The Partridge Family Album (1970) – 500,000+ copies sold
- Up To Date (1971) – 1,000,000+ copies sold
- Sound Magazine (1971) – 500,000+ copies sold
- Shopping Bag (1972) – 1,000,000+ copies sold
- Notebook (1972) – 500,000+ copies sold
- Crossword Puzzle (1973) – 1,000,000+ copies sold
- Bulletin Board (1973) – 500,000+ copies sold
- World Without Love (1974) – 500,000+ copies sold
Jones and Cassidy contributed authentic vocals, but the studio musicians brought the songs to life. Let‘s look at who really sang for The Partridge Family.
David Cassidy – The Breakout Star
As eldest son Keith, David Cassidy became the breakout teen idol and definitive voice of The Partridge Family.
Fun fact: The Partridge Family was David‘s idea! He brought the concept – based loosely on his real family – to producers.
Cassidy provided lead vocals for most of their biggest hits like "I Think I Love You" and "I‘ll Meet You Halfway." He and Jones sang together on the first album, but after that, it was all David.
His first solo album Cherish catapulted Cassidy to international stardom. Through multiple TV appearances and magazine covers, he cemented his status as the 70s ultimate heartthrob.
Shirley Jones – Hollywood Veteran
Shirley Jones was already an Oscar-winning actress when she took on the role of Shirley Partridge. With starring roles in Oklahoma!, Carousel and more musicals, she was the perfect pick to portray the loving mother of a musical brood.
Her expansive career began in the 1950s with guest TV spots. After her Oscar win for 1960‘s Elmer Gantry, the film roles kept coming.
But it was her 4 seasons as Shirley Partridge that gained her a whole new audience. Jones lent her acclaimed singing chops to the first Partridge album and continued contributing harmonies and backup vocals throughout the show.
Fun fact: Jones married Cassidy‘s father, Jack Cassidy, making David her real-life stepson! This helped create genuine warmth between the two on-screen.
The Cowsills – Inspiration for the Show
The Partridge Family was actually inspired by real-life family band The Cowsills, known for their 1967 hit "The Rain, the Park and Other Things."
The Cowsills provided the vocals for many Partridge Family songs and served as instrumentalists for their recordings.
Band members Bob, Paul and Susan Cowsill would also join filming periodically as extras or backup singers. Susan Cowsill even reportedly had a crush on David Cassidy!
Session Musicians – The Unsung Heroes
While Jones, Cassidy and The Cowsills voiced key parts, the majority of instrumental and vocal work came from anonymous studio session musicians.
These talented yet unnamed artists played the instruments and sang backup. Working closely with writers like Wes Farrell, they brought the Partridge Family‘s recordings to life.
Session musicians were used liberally in the 60s and 70s to quickly produce the soundtracks for TV shows on tight budgets. So The Partridge Family relied heavily on these uncredited pros to achieve their polished pop sound each week.
Singing…and Playing?
Another common misconception is that the cast played the instruments seen on stage. They mimicked playing well but again, studio musicians provided the actual instrumentals.
However, Susan Dey and David Cassidy did learn basic guitar skills over the course of the show. One late season episode even featured Cassidy playing guitar for real on screen!
Behind the Scenes: Camaraderie and Bonding
While on camera they portrayed brothers and sisters, off camera the cast developed incredibly close bonds:
- They frequently hung out together, especially Cassidy and Dey who became extremely close
- The cast often dined together two times a week – their driver‘s assigned duty!
- Shirley Jones says their chemistry and affection was a key factor in the show‘s charm
- No romantic relationships developed between any of the cast members
This real sense of family bled through in their performances, lending genuine warmth and chemistry to their acting.
In particular, the special dynamic between Cassidy and Jones mirrored the close relationship between their characters. Their skill at conveying this mother-son intimacy contributed greatly to the show‘s heartfelt tone.
Why David Cassidy Left: Seeking Solo Stardom
After cementing his fame on the show, David Cassidy understandably sought opportunities beyond The Partridge Family:
- He wanted to focus purely on his music and tour extensively
- Leaving freed him up for side projects, like 1973‘s The Spirit of ‘76
- With some episodes featuring silly humor, Cassidy also worried about the quality declining
- He had accomplished all he could within the show and needed to stretch himself artistically
It was an amicable departure and the right move for Cassidy‘s career. Though just 24 years old, he knew he needed to strike out on his own to grow. His subsequent decades of success as a solo artist, actor and Broadway star justified the difficult choice to leave the nest.
The Partridge Family Bus: Home on Wheels
No discussion of The Partridge Family is complete without highlighting their groovy tour bus. This psychedelic vehicle served as both their home and means of transportation to gigs nationwide.
- A converted 1957 Chevrolet bus painted in a wild red, white and gold style
- Featuring shag carpeting, wood paneling, painted trims and other 70s design elements
- Complete with a sitting area, kitchenette and sleeping spaces
- The exterior was repainted each season with a new color palette and themes
As a home design expert, I appreciate how their innovative bus incorporated era-specific aesthetics like iron flourishes, funky patterns and bright pops of color. It also gave a nod to the hippie movement‘s values of freedom and community.
This bus remains one of the most iconic vehicles in television history. Its warm, welcoming vibe perfectly reflected The Partridge Family‘s spirit of togetherness, harmony and adventure.
Why The Partridge Family Still Resonates
Looking back, I believe The Partridge Family still feels so special because:
- Their songs blended catchy tunes with uplifting optimism
- The cast had an undeniable chemistry and charm
- It depicted an non-traditional, quirky kind of family unit
- The show retained a wholesome innocence despite changing cultural tides
- It was a nostalgic, comforting escape viewers could rely on weekly
In many ways, The Partridge Family offered the best of both worlds. It was family-friendly fare parents could enjoy with kids, yet spoke to teens and young adults through fashions and music.
This cross-generational appeal helped it find an audience and fanbase spanning age groups. Its timeless qualities make the show just as enjoyable discovering it today as viewers did decades ago.
Conclusion: A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock and Roll
While The Partridge Family television cast didn‘t actually sing their hit songs, they did help bring joy into homes for four memorable seasons.
Through David Cassidy‘s heartthrob vocals, Shirley Jones‘ musical skills, and session musicians‘ unsung talents, the show‘s music lives on. Reruns continue introducing new generations to the Partridges‘ inspirational messages of hope, family and believing in yourself.
Sure, their ridiculously groovy outfits now look dated. But the zany adventures of this loving mother and her five kids still strike a chord. Like all good comfort food, revisiting The Partridge Family provides a dose of nostalgia and simple pleasures we could all use more of today.
So while we may never fully solve the mystery of their music origins, I think what matters most is the happiness The Partridge Family continues spreading through catchy pop hits and good old-fashioned family values. Like the lyrics say, "I think I love you, is all I want to say."
