Yum Yum Bubblegum

Those of you with finely honed pop-culture skillz will know that this group were the inspiration for "The Partridge Family". Did you also know that the original concept was for these folks to play themselves? True. But the deal was scuttled because the kids didn't like the idea of someone else playing their mom, not even Shirley Jones. For that, David Cassidy, Danny Bonaduce and Susan Dey can all be grateful. As well as the other kids whose names I don't remember.

I was poking around the interwebs to see how their contribution to pop music has been remembered, what they're up to now, like that. There is a movement to have them inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. Start reading the petition and you'll be surprised and impressed by the scope of their contributions to rock music. Or poke around YouTube and listen to some of their other stuff. My point would be that they were legitimately talented and I would posit that the whole Partridge Family connection somehow created the impression that they never were anything but cardboard cutouts who only sounded good because of studio technicians. But listen: you can't fake sweet harmonies like that. Add in the actual playing of their own instruments and writing of much of their own music plus the fact that most of them are still in the music business one way and another....I'm just pointing out that all represents some serious talent and commitment.

Look at me, getting all defensive. I really loved this group. I was a little jealous of them. My sibs and I sang together, too. How come we didn't have a hit record? Huh? Maybe, among other things, because there is talent and then there is talent.

'Course, they were also not exempt from the curse of children performers. There was bitterness, acrimony and estrangement. Some of them got messed up on substances. Some of them are dead, too. Bill died of emphysema (so did their mom) and Barry frakking died in Hurricane Katrina. All that information made my heart hurt. Why do I persist in the delusion that the pop stars of my childhood are all still young, fresh faced and happy? I dunno and frankly, it's too early for me to contemplate.

A few things about this song. I totally thought the title was the coolest thing ever and honestly believe it influenced my writing style. Also, I loved this song bunches and bunches and even though it had heavy airplay when it first came out, I never grew weary of it. In fact, I seem to remember perfunctorily having on the radio with the single hope that at any moment this song would come on and I could be happy (happy happy). And even with the dated flower power reference, it has a timeless quality. The Child heard me playing this yesterday and came to listen, a big smile on her face. So there you go.




The Cowsills "The Rain, The Park and Other Things"