Shaun Cassidy, the former teen idol best known for his 1970s songs “That’s Rock N’Roll” and “Da Doo Ron Ron,” is scheduled to hit the road after quitting touring for more than 40 years.
The singer and actor, 67, rose to fame in 1977, aged 18, for his starring role as Joe Hardy in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries series and the subsequent release of his self-titled debut album, Shaun Cassidy.
Following the massive success of hits, including “Da Doo Ron Ron,” a cover of The Crystals’ 1963 original that appeared on his first album, Cassidy traveled the country performing sold-out arena shows.
He retired from touring at the age of 21, explaining to People in a new interview that stepping away from the spotlight allowed him to lead a “normal life.”
“I played the Houston Astrodome for 55,000 people. And I said, ‘Goodnight. See you soon,’” Cassidy recalled of his then-final concert. “And I didn’t do another concert until 2020, 40 years later.”
Cassidy clarified that the hiatus it was not “because I didn’t love doing concerts. It wasn’t because I didn’t love playing music and being in front of an audience.” Instead, he pivoted to writing and producing television, “which has been my main job for much of the last three, four decades,” because it “just allowed me to have something closer to a normal life.”
“And a normal life, a grounded life, a stable life was something I really didn’t have as a kid,” Cassidy added. “So I yearned for it as an adult and it took me a while to find it, but I did, and I’m really grateful I did.”
The artist made a triumphant return to live performances in 2020. Still, he had reservations. “I’d been asked over the years to [return to the stage] and I always felt like I was going to be either trying to recreate the success I’d had at 20,” he admitted, “and that felt kind of silly, or I was afraid I might jeopardize my writing career because suddenly, people aren’t taking me seriously in my desk job.”
The tour was ultimately cut short by the Covid pandemic, leading him back to TV writing and producing. He eventually returned with his 2025 The Road To Us tour, which spanned 57 North American cities.
Following the end of that tour, he immediately received a call from his agent, asking if he was ready to do it again. He turned down the offer because of other writing projects. His then agent suggested a two-month holiday tour, which he accepted.
Last week, in a surprise announcement, the Matlock alum revealed he will embark on his 2026 UNWRAPPED Holiday Tour this November and December.
“I’ve been in the studio writing and recording new music — Christmas music,” Cassidy shared in an Instagram post.
On the tour, “we’ll be bringing you the songs you know and love, holiday favorites, new music, and stories from our many Cassidy family Christmases (with seven kids, there’s no shortage of them),” he continued.
“Thank you for bringing me back to the stage. I can’t wait to see you all this holiday season — and be on the lookout for new music in the fall!”
