Dedicated

I was a teenybopper before I was a teen. In that case, I guess I was not a "teeny"bopper - I was a pre-teenybooper or a tweenybopper....Whatever the correct term is, I was the epitome of it!!!

I was 8 years old when the Partridge Family debuted on television. Every Friday evening, I was in front of the tv, anxiously waiting for David Cassidy aka Keith Partridge to appear on the screen. I had the albums, the cassettes. I was very in tune with fashion since I had a "shag" hairstyle which mirrored David's. Of course I belonged to the Partridge Family fan club.

After a few years, the Partridge Family was off of the air and David Cassidy, at the ripe age of 22 or 23, vanished from the industry. That was ok because his younger half brother eased his way into "tv land" when I was 13. His songs were forever played on CKLW and I was his biggest fan. In fact, my friend and I waited, in the icy mist of the pre-dawn winter morning, two hours in front of Cobo Hall to purchase tickets for his concert. Imagine that. Two teenage girls, waiting with a handful of other fans, in front of Cobo Hall. To quote a famous line: "Things were different back then". Did I mention that our dedication did not reward us with good seats. However, in the summer, the same friend and I participated in the Walk for Mankind in Livonia. We treked twenty miles in eight or nine hours, just to see Shaun Cassidy in the back of a pick up truck. We

raised money which also made it worth the effort.

Summer of '77 I heard one of the most beautiful songs on the radio. When I discovered that the person who recorded the song was going to be a guest on one of my favorite shows, American Bandstand, I made sure that I was in front of that television set. When I laid my eyes on the honey kissed strawberry blonde sil tresses, the ivory laden smile, the hairy chest - this was my man. I am sure I was not the only young woman thinking that thought.

Since my mom obliged to my every wish regarding concerts, autograph parties, and the such, she happily drove me to retrieve his autograph at Music Stop. (I am sure she was having fun too - in fact, she is still "with it" when it comes to what is "in" in the music and movie industry ) This singer/songwriter/baby brother of a very famous musical trio was full of smiles. He seemed so polite. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, it was my turn to receive his autograph. My thirteen and a half year old love-struck heart was pounding, my hands were a sweaty. I recited to myself, "act normal, act normal" as I anxiously, patiently, waited in line. Alas! It was finally my turn! I handed the Flowing Rivers album to him so he could sign it. Suddenly, I did it.  I did not think twice.. I leaned over and kissed Andy Gibb on his sweet lips. My first kiss!! I sauntered through the store with my mouth open in awe and disbelief. I was in a trance for about 3 minutes. A moment of sheer bliss....

I participated, once again, in the Walk for Mankind, in Livonia, MI.. I walked twenty miles to get a glimpse of Andy. A few months later, I went to see his concert at the Michigan State Fair. Collette, another friend and I waited eight hours in a very small, fenced-in area with about 150 other teenage girls. The seating was general admission. Since the temperature outside was about 80 degrees, we were very warm, sweaty, thirsty and fourteen years old. We were invincible. When those gates opened at 4:00 pm, it was a stampede to the stage. Lo and behold, we made it!! We found a location to stand and it was  very, very close to the stage. I pretended I was Annie Leibowitz as I put my camera into action. Those photos are  tucked away in a very safe spot.

Needless to say, the Bee Gees were on my list as well. Forget a hot bath or a glass of wine, I enjoy  listening to Barry's falsetto voice, the harmony the brother create ...my troubles always seem to be lifted.

I had stock in the teen magazines too. I would use my hard earned cash that I earned from babysitting and purchase Tiger Beat and "16" magazine. I did not have to paint my bedroom since the walls were adorned with posters of these talented "foxes". My friends seemed to enjoy my gallery too!

However, my life as a teenybopper was not easy. I was constantly harassed and teased in Middle School because of my admiration for the singers. I did not back down. Never will. I have Andy's album on my ipod. I listen to the Bee Gees very often. I even listen to the music of David Cassidy. In my opinion, he really has a nice voice.

I remain a dedicated fan....