TEENAGE IDOL | Shaun Cassidy Came to Town and the Crowd Went Wild, Including 'The Shaun Squad'
- Glancer Magazine
- Jun 22, 2022
- 5 min read
SHAUN CASSIDY PERFORMED ON STAGE SUNDAY, JUNE 19 AT ARCADA THEATRE IN ST. CHARLES
ST. CHARLES–Fans enjoyed many of their favorite Shaun Cassidy songs along with his storytelling as the former teen idol impressed a sold-out audience at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on Sunday night, June 19.
The theatre was filled with laughter and sometimes even tears as Cassidy shared his experiences on the different paths of life that he's taken since he walked off the stage at his last mega-concert in the late 1970s. Cassidy's timeless connection with his fans shined through as he spoke so candidly, with each of his stories just as touching as the last.
The teen heartthrob turned country-living-dad-of-8 did not disappoint the packed theater as he entertained with hit songs "It's Rock n' Roll" and "Hey Deanie", among many others. Cassidy closed the show with the 1977 hit 'Da Doo Ron Ron."
THE SHAUN SQUAD: Cindy Lyn, Dorese Bledsoe, Penny Rhodes and Dame Toews (L to R)
ABOUT THE FANS
Following the show, we had the opportunity to meet a variety of fans, including a group of passionate supporters known as 'The Shaun Squad' who met as members of the Shaun Cassidy Fan Convention Facebook Group. Made up of four women who live throughout Chicagoland and one in Oklahoma, 'The Shaun Squad' shares years of combined support and adoration for the singer, attending close to 25 concerts combined– some since they were little girls.
THE SHAUN SQUAD: Cindy Lyn, Dorese Bledsoe, Penny Rhodes and Dame Toews (L to R)
Dorese Bledsoe of Hanover Park shared that she's been to 7 Shaun Cassidy shows with two of her favorites being in Nashville last September and this past Sunday in St. Charles. "Nashville was amazing because it was my birthday and I got to spend it with Shaun Cassidy front row center!" she said.
"I also loved Sunday's show at The Arcada. That was one magical show because 'The Shaun Squad' surprised him with a special happy Father's Day greeting from the front row," she added. Cassidy appeared to have been truly touched, as he took a video of the sign and then shared it on his social media pages that night with a simple caption of 'No Words'.
Photo Credit: Dorese Bledsoe
Cindy Lynn of Crystal Lake shared "I was lucky to meet Shaun three times! Once when I was younger at Alpine Valley in Wisconsin when I got a backstage pass by accident!! Then Dorese and I met him at the City Winery last year when he was practicing before the show and we got a pic with him. Another time was last November when we attended a benefit concert that Shaun did for his brother at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, TN. My favorite song of his is Taxi Dancer. It always reminds me of my childhood and trying to overcome the anxiety that I suffered with. His music really pulled me through high school."
Photo Credit: Cindy Lynn
Penny Rhodes of Sycamore shared that, while she has many favorite Shaun Cassidy songs, if she'd have to choose just one it would be A Girl Like You. "When Shaun started his tour last year we would post in the facebook group asking who is going where and we’d love to meet up. This is how Cindy, Penny and Dorese and I met in Chicago. Then we met Dame in Nashville the following week. We are not only Shaun sisters through the fan convention but we are true friends. We meet for lunch, FaceTime and share memories – sometimes about Shaun, sometimes our families," she shared. As for Penny's favorite concert, she said "My favorite was at the Arcada in St. Charles. The energy, love and gratitude was amazing
Photo Credit: Dame Toews
Dame Toews of Oklahoma shared that "All of the concerts I've been to were all wonderful in different ways. I thought I was going to faint the first time I met him in Arlington. His best show was Sunday in St. Charles. He was extra happy and upbeat." she added. "I loved when he said that he had eight kids because he's a romantic. Since it was Father’s Day, he introduced his young son and we could see that he's a good dad just by just watching his youngest son work the merchandise stand, with outstanding manners."
Toews added "I met Shaun personally, in Arlington Texas. He was very sweet and patient. I told him that he could give my old vintage toy guitar with his photo on it, to his kids. He said for me to keep it for my own family, and then he also signed it." she shared. "My Shaun Squad Sisters, have become my new forever friends. Not only do we all love Shaun, but we’ll always be here for each other"
The Shaun Cassidy Fan Convention Facebook Group was created by Janet Connell in 2017 and now has over 2,200 members.
Jill Card at The Arcada Theatre
Other local area fans shared fun stories about their love for Shaun Cassidy and the memories that they hold near and dear to them– from memorable songs to concerts and more. Jill Card, owner of Jeans and a Cute Top Shop was at the concert and shared her love for the show, beaming as she talked about Cassidy and all of her favorite songs that bring back so many memories.
"So much fun! Shaun Cassidy deserves all the love, adoration, and appreciation we showered upon him at The Arcada theater Sunday night! He has stories, talent, and substance that goes much deeper than the posters on our bedroom walls!" she shared.
We couldn't agree more. It was an exceptional show filled with nostalgia throughout.
ABOUT SHAUN CASSIDY
In 2019, Cassidy took his self-penned music and storytelling show, THE MAGIC OF A MIDNIGHT SKY, to the stage. He played to SRO crowds nationwide, and last year, in collaboration with No Kid Hungry, he successfully introduced a collection of fine wines, MY FIRST CRUSH, which donates two dollars per bottle to feed hungry children nationwide.
Shaun Cassidy is an American writer, producer, actor and singer. After making his name as a performer, Cassidy went on to create, write, and produce a number of critically acclaimed television series including AMERICAN GOTHIC (produced with Sam Raimi), ROAR (starring a then unknown Heath Ledger), COLD CASE, COVER ME, THE AGENCY, BLUE BLOODS, INVASION, and EMERALD CITY. Cassidy currently serves as executive producer and writer for the hit NBC series NEW AMSTERDAM. The son of Tony award winning actor Jack Cassidy and Academy award winner Shirley Jones (and half-brother of the late singer/actor David Cassidy), Shaun grew up in Los Angeles and New York City. While still in high school, he signed a contract with Warner Brothers records. This led to three multi-platinum albums and numerous top ten hits including “Da Doo Ron Ron”, “That’s Rock n’ Roll”, “Hey Deanie”, and “Do You Believe In Magic?”
Cassidy received a Grammy nomination for his efforts and performed at every major arena in the country. Almost concurrently, he starred in the ABC television series THE HARDY BOYS MYSTERIES. While appearing on Broadway in the hit musical BLOOD BROTHERS, Shaun wrote his first television pilot, AMERICAN GOTHIC. When the show debuted, The New York Times called it “The most original new show of the season.”
