A former regional sports editor is turning her attention to music by writing a book about singer David Cassidy.
Louise Poynton, left, is searching for fans of the 1970s star, who died last year, and journalists who covered his concerts as she compiles a collection of memories, anecdotes and tributes from his followers around the world.
As a teenager Louise dreamed of being a music writer, but her career took her elsewhere after becoming the first woman to win the Guild of Motoring Writers’ most promising motoring journalist award at the age of 19.
She spent more than 40 years in newspapers, including 15 as group sports editor at the Surrey Mirror series, as well as spells at the Eastbourne Herald & Gazette, Eastern Daily Press and the Daily Mail.
Now she is appealing to HTFP readers who either covered Cassidy when he appeared in the UK, or know of fans themselves, to get in touch.
Louise, 61, said: “We have to remember the good things David did in life, how gracious he was and hugely talented, a kind soul and generous of spirit. His legacy must be preserved.
“David Cassidy represented an exciting moment in the lives of teenagers, a connection which lasted a lifetime. This book will be a beautiful anthology of those warm and inspiring, emotional and profound stories which encompass the memories of a personality we shall never see again.
“David was the biggest pop star on the plant in the 1970s and in every decade he reinvented himself on Broadway, the West End, Las Vegas, television and films and was still performing until eight months before his death.
“So many never had the chance to meet him but through our David stories of how he made us feel and the happy memories we have whether we met him or not, we can show he is forever in our hearts as we turn the pages and smile remembering a very special man who made the world a better place.
“He has left a legacy unmatched. He has been loved deeper than anyone and inspired and influenced more people than he would ever realise.”
Louise can be contacted via email at [email protected].
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I have been a fan of David’s since 1970. I started my own Facebook group dedicated to him a week after David’s passing. I started out with 4 members and now I have over 1,700.
I would love to contribute to her book. Next week on the one year anniversary of David’s passing a few of my group members are going to be taking a bouquet of flowers to place on the beach in Saratoga. Would love to hear from her about this
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Hi Louise
DC fans are alive, kicking and doing things to honour his legacy. He now has two dedicated benches at Saratoga racecourse, plaque at the Phoenix Theatre, London and a fund is running for a star on the Vegas Walk Of Fame.
Some of us have formed groups who share chats, his music, contemporary articles and magazines with each other. In struggling to fathom what went wrong for DC we discuss and share what we know. The Last Session will be shown on BBC 4 this month. If you haven’t seen it, it would be a good place to begin. Good luck with your book. I have a friend who knows pretty much everything about DC who has written one and she hopes to have it published eventually.
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Hi. The fans in the U.K. contributed for a plaque for David at the theatre where he did Blood Brothers. The lady who organised it is Sharron Liddell. You can find her on the group The David Cassidy group of Great Britain. We also contributed to a bench at Saratoga. Susan Cox organised that. Any funds left over have either gone towards dementia care, or the retirement foundation of racing horses, which David loved. He was passionate about the horses. Hope this is some help.
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