Partridge Family’s Dave Madden: A 1970s Video Remembrance

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Three cheers for Dave Madden...hip hip... ('The Partridge Family,' 1970)

Three cheers for Dave Madden…hip hip… (‘The Partridge Family,’ 1970)

I’m saddened to hear that today, in addition to losing Russell Johnson, the Professor on Gilligan’s Island, one of my favorite 70s TV personalities, Dave Madden has also died.

Madden came to prominence in the 1960s on TV’s Camp Runamuck (’65-’66) and Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In (’68-’69). Readers of this site likely know him best as the frazzled, band manager Reuben Kincaid on The Partridge Family (1970-’74). Madden also made guest appearances throughout the 70s on shows such as; Love, American Style, Happy Days, Starsky and Hutch, Barney Miller, The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.

Less remembered, is Madden’s long and successful career providing voice narration for a metric ton of television commercials. You heard his soothing, humor-tinged voice in spots like this one for Lucky Supermarkets in ’76.

Here’s a couple of videos featuring Dave Madden on The Partridge Family in the early 70s. Raise a glass for Reuben Kincaid!

Rare ‘Partridge Family’ Promo Hosted by Dave Madden, 1970

‘The Partridge Family’: Season One, ‘Road Song’ Clip, 1970

More Dave Madden as Reuben Kincaid: TV Time: Snap, Crackle, Partridge Family

Comments

Partridge Family’s Dave Madden: A 1970s Video Remembrance — 2 Comments

  1. This made me really sad too. This was my favorite TV show growing up. I know Danny Bonaduce must be very sad b/c during the PF years when his father (TV writer Joe Bonaduce) was abusing him, Danny would often stay at Dave Madden’s house on some weekends, and they got to be good friends. RIP Mr. Kincaid. :o(

    • Something about Madden’s style really connected with me. I suppose I should have related to Danny or Chris at the age I was watching ‘The Partridge Family,’ but Reuben Kincaid was always my favorite.