"The Partridge Family" centered on a musical family, lead by actress Shirley Jones, playing infectious, hook-laden pop. Jones and Cassidy were the only ones who really sang. The other actors lip-synched and pretended to play their instruments.

Shirley was married to Jack Cassidy from 1956 until 1975, the pair having sons Shaun, Patrick and Ryan together. She was also mom to stepson David Cassidy, who died from organ failure in November 2017 at the age of 67. After divorcing Jack, Shirley married actor and comedian Marty Ingels in 1977.

" Cassidy discussed his relationship with his stepmother on the show: "She wasn't my mother, and I can be very open, and we can speak, and we became very close friends. She was a very good role model for me, watching the way, you know, she dealt with people on the set, and watching people revere her."

The Ron Hicklin Singers were known as the real voices, save for David Cassidy, behind the background vocals on The Partridge Family recordings.