The Partridge Family Biography

Part of the long lineage of wholesome TV families from the 1950's and 60's, the Partridge Family had one element that set them apart from their predecessors - they rocked.

Six velvet clad musicians taking a magical bus ride from gig to gig, the Partridge Family humoured their way into the socially conscious entertainment landscape of the early 70's while gently harmonising their way onto the turntables of pop music fans everywhere. Soon the whole country was tapping along to the beat of their tambourines.

They were a phenomenon on vinyl as well as on television, with their first album outselling the Beatles' "Let it Be" and their lead singer David Cassidy drawing larger crowds than Elvis. Branded the adolescent icon of an era, Cassidy would eventually fall from teen idol grace and would bring the entire Partridge flock down with him.

The good vibes generated on stage and off may not have been enough to keep the Partridge's together. But the family still reigns as television's original musical clan, and their songs still echo the gentle ease of an unforgettable moment in pop music history.

The Partridge family consisted of 70s super mum Shirley Partridge and her five children. In the first episode the family decided to form a rock band and tour the country in a brightly painted bus. The episodes generally began at their family home in California and their concerts were always successful. Shirley was the lead singer with the five children playing the various instruments.