Lei Lady
I have a friend—let’s call her Jeannie. Now Jeannie, like many of us, has a hobby. No, she doesn’t collect stamps or write poetry. Jeannie’s hobby is David Cassidy. Cassidy, you may or may not recall, is the former teen heartthrob and member of the 1970’s television singing group The Partridge Family.
Today David Cassidy is 57 years old and appears periodically in performance venues around the country. The songs Cassidy sings may change, as does the location of the concerts, but one thing remains constant: Jeannie is always there for the show. And so is her lei.
About ten years ago Jeannie decided that she would present a flower lei to David Cassidy during each of his performances. And we’re not talking about some inexpensive ring of dried carnations or, heaven forbid, a string of plastic flowers. No, for each concert Jeannie orders a fresh lei made up of the most beautiful and fragrant orchids flown in directly from Hawaii. She first bestowed a lei on Cassidy over ten years ago, and recently traveled across the country to give him #38.
Jeannie always gets excellent seats for these concerts, and so is only a few steps from the stage when it comes time to give her gift. Cassidy for his part is always obliging, bending down so Jeannie can place the lei around his neck. The rewards vary: sometimes Jeannie receives a smile from her idol, while other times she shares a hug or even a kiss with the performer.
Over the years others have tried to imitate Jeannie by coming up with unique items to give to Cassidy. Some have given him an item they knitted or a specific stuffed animal. But so far nothing has caught on except for Jeannie’s leis and she has become something of a minor celebrity, at least among the David Cassidy crowd.
Jeannie has photographs of David Cassidy wearing each of the leis she has given him. She has met with him several times and is on a first name basis with most of his band. She has traveled extensively in order to attend the concerts, which has allowed her to broaden her horizons by seeing parts of the country and meeting people that she would never have known existed. All this because she one day decided to give a necklace of fresh flowers to her musical hero David Cassidy.
Now that’s Flower Power!
August 1st, 2007 at 6:03 am
I think this is a wonderful story, I have read stories on several messageboards of that particular fan giving David a lei. As I am Dutch I first had to find out what it was and then when I saw a photo of David receiving the Lei, I thought that this is a lovely thing to do I am so happy for her. Wish I could have come up with such a nice thing to do. Let alone getting seats close to the stage! Lovely article though.
Jackie
August 1st, 2007 at 6:18 am
Is this great or what……the thing is….David deserves it!!
Another forever David Cassidy fan from the Netherlands.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:04 am
Nice story !!!!!
And i’m a little bit jealous !!
But I agree with Ria (hello) David deserves it, and we all hope he goes on forever and ever !!!!!!
Greetings from….. yes a David Cassidy fan !!!! ( the Netherlands)
August 24th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
While an interesting story, what is she actually getting from Mr. Cassidy other than a few seconds of acknowledgment for all of her expense with these leis? After ten years of doing this, she should be getting free seats or invited for a cup of coffee with the guy at least! To spend all of this money for so long a time and not be at a much higher level of familiarity or friendship with this performer seems like a waste.
I’m sure fans have been giving this poor guy gifts up the ______ since the 70’s in an attempt to become a “minor celebrity” or acknowledged over other fans. And really what is Mr. Cassidy going to do - ignore someone holding a gift at every show to disappoint the fan?? Of course not. Practically every performer at shows take gifts from fans. It’s good for their rep with an audience and a safe way to give the fan a thrill.
I think it would serve this girl (and others who do so) better to not be so obsessed. There are numerous stories and talk shows about how such a “hobby” is unhealthy.
Why not use the money to buy flowers to donate for a senior center or an hospital where patients’ spirits could be lifted and they would appreciate them more than a celebrity who’s given gifts at every turn.
But seriously, after ten years of doing this and spending so much, this fan should be further up the inner circle ladder with him. I sure would make sure I was.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:37 am
Frandsen Publishing…
Useful, thank you!…
September 18th, 2007 at 12:38 am
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