Everybody Had One–But Will You Admit It?
Like most I am very fond of my childhood. I can remember getting home from school and in light speed ripping off my clothes, tossing them anywhere and putting on play clothes to go out and play games or sports with my friends for hours at a time. Those were the days. Not a worry in the world. At night I would watch TV. I remember watching plenty of sitcoms and listening to great songs with a fantastic beat on the radio. By the way, I still listen to those songs!
Teenage heartthrobs back then ranged from pop stars like David Cassidy, Leif Garret, Davy Jones or TV stars like Susan Dey, Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Jaclyn Smith, Maureen McCormick.
Ok I’m about to let the cat out of the bag and share with you the person I had a crush on. As a kid, growing up in Massachusetts I thought Olivia Newton-John was the bomb! Ok I said it. I thought she was beautiful and talented and I absolutely loved her accent. I loved her music and thought she was great in Grease! As a 16 year old I would have loved to meet her and say hello although I am sure I would have been tongue-tied.
Ok – I said it.
I truly believe everyone has a crush as a teenager on someone on TV or a singer.
The real question is will you share it with us?
I look forward to reading your comments.
June 29th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Natalie Wood
June 29th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Diana Rigg of the British TV Show “The Avengers”
June 29th, 2007 at 10:37 am
i was in junior high in the late 80’s. My crush was Sebastian Bach of Skid Row. Recently, he played Gil, the rocker turned sub shop owning family man, on Gilmore Girls. YIKES, he definitely isn’t the same front man that i remember from my “Teen Beat” days.
I’ve moved on from my 80’s hair band crushes to my 2007 crushes: Wentworth Miller, George Eades, and Josh Duhamel.
I believe you are never too old to have a famous heart throb, UNLESS you are famous or are in a position to meet said heart throbs…
June 29th, 2007 at 10:58 am
What a fun topic on a Friday - thanks Merrill! Oh Stephenie ~ I loved Teen Beat! I so wanted to be Tony DeFranco’s girlfriend!
June 29th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
When I was VERY young - John Denver (Far Out!), but as I “matured,” I moved on to Mark Hammill and Harrison Ford (I’m dating myself, aren’t, I?). Harrison Ford aged VERY well … Mark Hammill, not so much.
June 30th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Stephenie,
I am so embarrassed - I have NEVER heard of any of your choices. I guess I will need to google them.
Thanks for your comments!
Merrill
June 30th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Brian Littrell (Backstreet Boys) and Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees)
Yes I was a TeenyBopper.
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:54 am
Who else but Paul McCartney!!
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:15 am
I loved Rick Springfield and Donny Osmond.
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:55 am
First was Donny Osmond, and they call it puppy love, and then I moved on to Rick Springfield.
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:03 am
This is a fun topic! Thanks Merrill!
Every since I first heard “Somebody’s Baby” back in ‘82 I have been completely smitten with Jackson Browne.
Amazing lyricist, musician, tireless activist and all around good-guy.
I saw him recently in concert and was 16 all over again…
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:51 am
Holy cow - where do I start? Lori Laughlin (movie: Secret Admirer, and more recently, was John Stamos’ wife on “FULL HOUSE). Definately aged well - would have killed or died for a date.
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:53 am
Ed Sugar and I are in agreement (like that’s never happened before…). My teenage crush was Dianna Rigg, who is now Dame Dianna Rigg. There is nothing like a dame!
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:57 am
Definitely John Taylor from Duran Duran!
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:04 am
I loved Olivia in Grease and Xanadu. She was so hot looking in that motorcycle jacket at the end of Grease. But my real love (pre-high school) was Farrah Fawcett-Majors, who I knew from Charlie’s Angels. Anabelle Lewin, from Bow Wow Wow was my crush in high school.
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:14 am
Kate Jackson and Kristy McNichol
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:26 am
No brainer…..David Cassidy (AKA Keith Partridge) was the man. I thought that school bus was the coolest. I still know all the words to a few songs.
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:39 am
NO-ONE has picked Jon BonJovi! Great article on him in this week’s Parade. Talk about someone who has aged well.
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:20 am
1) MBD - I cannot picture you tongue-tied!
2) David Cassidy, Sean Connery… and later…. (and still) Andy Garcia.
Bob and Ed - did you know that Dianna Rigg, in more recent years played a character on the Mystery channel - as a wealthy woman who gets involved solving murders - I have only seen 3 - but they are great - and somewhat tongue in cheek….
j
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:31 am
I never watched “The Avengers” growing up! I wish I had Dianna Rigg is BEAUTIFUL!
Jamie - surprised more people didn’t say Sean Connery - I thought everyone loved his look.
Thanks.
Merrill
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:52 am
Okay, time to fess up…
Barbara Eden - loved I Dream of Jeannie
Lynda Carter - who could resist Wonder Woman?
Jaclyn Smith - always thought she was better than Farrah
Phoebe Cates - my main reason for loving the movie Gremlins… I had pictures from a film magazine interview on my walls for a few years
Now I’ve moved on to two of the Jessicas - Biel & Alba.
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Wow. There were so many. Besides the ones already mentioned, I can think of Henry Winkler, and Tom Cruise. I just loved The Fonz! And who can forget Elvis Presley!
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:19 pm
When I was really young, all my friends drooled over Sean Cassidy, but the Hardy Boy for me was Parker Stevenson. Gorgeous blue eyes! As a teenager, Sting was my crush and still looks fabulous at 55 (got a good look at the concert last week!)
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:28 pm
My first love was Sean Cassidy (Da Doo Ron Ron). As I got older and into my junior high years I moved on to Prince, much to my parent’s dismay. Best concert I’ve ever been to, and that was in 1987!!! Kinda sad.
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:55 pm
I know this is a bit contrary to most but I was intrigued (ok, infatuated) by Kate Jackson, the one Charlie’s Angel that no one talked about. I guess I just needed to be different.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Oh my gosh, where do I start! First it was Bobby Sherman, then Davy Jones, then Paul McCartney…..I was going to marry each one of them! I saw Bobby Sherman at a book signing a couple of years ago - felt like I was a teenager again - totally tongue tied! I could hardly say “hello”!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
KMAT,
I am shocked that Barry Manilow isn’t on your list! I hope Barry doesn’t find out.
Merrill
July 11th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Late entrant - but enjoyed reading all your loves! I’m with Steve Schlesinger and needing to be different - mine was Peter - the quiet one - from The Monkey’s. I was so sure they were better than the Beatles….
July 12th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
OK- I’ll admit it, even though it was wrong: my sixth grade teacher, Sister Mary Elizabeth!
July 12th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
For me during my pre-teen years David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman were tied for 1st place and have fond memories of drooling over them in Tiger Beat.
I recall writing letter upon letter to them only to find out years later my mother never mailed them, but instead saved them to give to me just a few years ago. Let me just say we had more than a couple of laughs reading them.
During my teenage years Rick Springfield became my teenage heartthrob and seeing him every day on General Hospital was a top priority!
A few years ago while in Las Vegas my husband and I saw Rick Springfield perform, sitting in the front row he touched my hand….I contemplated never washing it again…Boy did he age well!!!
July 12th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Laurie,
That is a classic! You should think about sending the letters to David and Bobby now. I am sure they would love it!
Merrill
July 19th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
I can’t believe no one claimed John Travolta! Mine. From sweathog on…
August 31st, 2007 at 9:11 am
Merrill, I call this - these people could park their shoes at my house! Tom Selleck, Barry Manilow, Richard Gere, Neil Diamond and of course, John Travolta!!! Thanks for the memories!
September 15th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Mine was the one and only Maureen McCormick. I couldn’t get enough of her, and even belonged to her fan club. Today I’ve resurrected the Marcia Brady Fan Club! It contains info on all the actresses that played Marcia, but there forever will be just one real Marcia Brady ~*~ Maureen McCormick! Even though there is a Maureen Fan Club, I hope she eventually stumbles across the new Marcia Brady Fan Club. Of course the fan club isn’t done from a crush anymore, but for a different reason that runs much deeper, and don’t ask unless you are Maureen herself!