Cassidy Cherishes the Memories

“Where were you in the summer of ‘72?” asked “Partridge Family” teen dream and modern Las Vegas star David Cassidy at the Greek Theatre on Saturday, evoking his heyday during his first concert tour in more than a decade.

Today, the erstwhile boy of the moment was still in fine voice, no longer shaggy-headed and bell-bottomed like his TV-character-turned-pop-star, but sleek in tight black trousers and moving with theatrically exaggerated precision. Yet the singer-guitarist’s twinkling blue eyes and high-wattage grin had the same giddy effect on the mostly middle-aged fans.

A potent reminder that each generation’s idols endure in some way, the show was an often surreal combination of nostalgia trip and Vegas revue. Cassidy, 51, and his band offered oldies, including “Cherish” and the bouncy “I Think I Love You,” which had as much goofy appeal as ever. However, selections from his various stage shows were more like a cheery homage to iconic moments, such as Otis Redding’s rendition of “Try a Little Tenderness” rather than actual performances.

Still, Cassidy’s self-deprecating asides revealed a disarming sense of humor about it all. And why not? By translating his youthful persona into similar, grown-up entertainment, he’s become a surprisingly durable throwaway.