David Cassidy's recent live performance left fans shocked and very concerned for the 66-year-old former pop teen idol during his live show on Saturday in Agoura Hills, California. Cassidy stunned fans appearing on stage slurring his words and forgetting lyrics, and, finally, falling over backwards off the stage.
David Cassidy tumbles off the stage in California
At first thought, it would appear that the singer was drunk, which would not come as a huge surprise to longtime Cassidy fans, who are well aware of David's long-running battle with drugs and alcohol.
But as the show went on, David Cassidy took to the mic conversing with the crowd and sharing some deeply personal information with his fans.
David opened up his heart to the crowd, stating, "I love being able to come back to the place that, despite the fact that I wasn't born here, for the most part, is part of my home, " he told the crowd while swaying and taking long breaks between his words. "And this is where I became a television star, a rock and roll star."
Teen idol chokes up remembering youth
Cassidy then shared with fans his future plans, his plans to retire, immediately as of Sunday. David began his career in the 70s taking the world and teenage girl's hearts by storm as Keith Partridge.
Now, at age 66, David revealed that he is giving up live entertaining because he is battling some major health issues. David stated that he is fighting the memory loss disease Dementia.
A hushed crowd listened as David spoke openly, recalling details as a child of watching those closest to him struggle with the battle of dementia, his grandfather, and then his mother who dies at age 89.
"I was in denial, but part of me always knew it was coming." As he recalled witnessing his mother's struggles, he said "In the end, the only way I knew she recognized me is with one single tear that would drop from her eye every time I walked into the room....I feared I would end up that way."
David claimed that he must now face his own reality and has come to terms with his condition.
He stated that he has decided it is time to stop touring and focus on his health and happiness. David also revealed at this time that he has been diagnosed with, and is in the early stages of the disease and hopes to maintain management.
At this time there is no prevention for dementia. There are some helpful tips to aid in keeping the disease at bay by modifying some of the major risk factors. Major risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excessive alcohol use. It is also important to exercise regularly and keep symptoms of diabetes under control.
Hopefully, with proper care and management, David Cassidy will be able to fulfill his future wish of living out a healthy, happy, and long life.
