Two tickets to nostalgia paradise

Boston Globe
InSideKick
You can try to run, you can try to hide, but the '80s will find you no matter what indie-cool rock you try to crawl under. And with the Working Class '07 Tour featuring Rick Springfield (above) , Eddie Money, and Patty Smyth & Scandal stopping at the Bank of America Pavilion tonight at 7, now is the time to let your inner '80s-rock geek out to play. Go ahead, sing along with all the 40-somethings who always seem to be fawning over Springfield on morning talk shows -- "I've done everything for you . . ." Tickets: $20-$40. Bank of Ame rica Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., 617-728-1600. bankofamericapavilion.com [Nick A. Zaino III]

Catching up on articles

Below you will notice articles from the past couple of months. We wanted to go ahead and add them to have them in the archives, and for those who might not have caught them originally.

Vinton article

Singer, actor Springfield set to perform in Vinton this weekend
By Tommy Mann Jr.
The Orange Leader
(published June 10, 2007)

Rick Springfield has been performing rock music for the better part of four decades. However, he still rocks with the vigor of a man half his age.
Springfield is performing at 8 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Delta Downs Event Center in Vinton, La. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets for $50 or by phone at 409-833-7747.
Springfield called from his cell phone as he was en route to the airport to catch a flight bound for Las Vegas for two shows this weekend.
“We never stop touring,” Springfield said with a laugh during a telephone interview. “It’s endless. We never stop touring. We go out on the road for a couple of days, and then go back home for a few before we go out again. It’s pretty nice actually.”
Springfield said the reason he tours just a few days at a time is to accommodate his acting career since he returned to “General Hospital” in the role of Dr. Noah Drake on daytime television.
Springfield is touring in support of his December 2006 release, “Catch Me If You Can,” and the 2006 DVD release, “Live in Rockford.”
The DVD features 17 tracks recorded live at the Coronado Theater in Rockford, Ill. featuring hit songs such as “Jessie’s Girl,” “Affair of the Heart,” “Love Somebody,” and “Human Touch” along side new tracks like “Red House” and his remake of “Broken Wings.”
As much as Springfield is thankful to his fans for past success and the hit songs they helped make popular, it is the new songs which he enjoys introducing to his longtime fans.
“The biggest thrill for me is writing new material and playing it in front of people,” Springfield said. “The hard-core fans really know all of the old songs by heart, and a lot of the new material, but most people have never heard it before.”
Springfield came to the United States from Australia and had his first hit in 1972 when “Speak to the Sky” peaked at No. 14 on the charts. However, bad luck saw his debut album fall by the wayside as his record label folded in 1976.
In 1981, Springfield reemerged better than ever with the multi-platinum debut on RCA records, “Working Class Dog.”
The album spawned three Top 10 hits, including “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Love is Alright Tonight,” and the No. 1 smash “Jessie’s Girl.”
More hits followed in 1982 with the release of “Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet,” as songs like “Don’t Talk to Strangers”, which peaked at number 2 on the singles chart, “I Get Excited,” “Kristina” and “What Kind of Fool Am I” burned up the radio airwaves.
Springfield continued his string of succes with the 1983 release “Living In Oz.” The album still had the Springfield sound, but was much more of a rock album and less pop than his previous efforts, but the hits still piled up as “Affair of the Heart” broke into the Top 10 and “Human Touch” peaked at No. 18.
Springfield made his big screen acting debut in 1984 with the movie “Hard to Hold,” and released the soundtrack of the same name, which generated the Top 5 hit, “Love Somebody.”
He released two more albums, “Tao” in 1985 and “Rock of Life” in 1988, before taking a nearly decade-long break from recording to be with his family.
It was during the five-year span from 1983 to 1988 which saw Springfield perform in Beaumont on at last three occassions, including shows at the Beaumont Civic Center and the Montagne Center at Lamar University.
Once he resumed his music career, Springfield opted not to rehash the glory days of the ‘80s by touring strictly behind his hit songs, but decided to record new music.
Since he reemerged, Springfield has released a string of albums from “Sahara Snow” in 1997, “Karma” in 1998, “Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance” in 2004, “The Day After Yesterday” in 2005, and the 2006 release, “Catch Me If You Can.”
Throughout his career, Springfield has charted 17 Top 40 hits, sold nearly 20 million albums, and is a Grammy Award winner.
However, one thing has always remained constant for Springfield, and that is his stage show.
“We are very much a rock band,” Springfield said. “Our sound, the heaviness with which we play, really surprises people. I believe that is why so many people come back to see us show after show.”

Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com

"You Can't Deny the Fans"

Rick Springfield doesn't mind playing the hits
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/11/07
BY ED CONDRAN
CORRESPONDENT
Rick Springfield has released just three studio albums in the last 19 years. Much of the veteran singer/songwriter's material has been well-crafted power pop tunes.
But radio and MTV isn't crazy about airing pop-rock from the 40-plus set.
"It's so difficult to get on the airwaves that I don't think I should even concern myself with it," Springfield said while calling from his Los Angeles home. "I'll still make my albums and do my shows and basically do my thing, but I won't think about things I can't control. I still have a good group of fans that likes to come out and see me."
Those fans love the hits, and Springfield, who will perform Sunday at Six Flags in Jackson, delivers his smash singles at his shows and on his latest DVD, "Live in Rockford."
"You can't deny the fans," he said. "They want to hear the songs they love, and I love doing them still."
"Jessie's Girl," "Don't Talk to Strangers" and "What Kind of Fool Am I" are just some of the hits crafted by Springfield.
"I've always taken pride in my songwriting," he said. "That's an important part of who I am."
Some of Springfield's hits have come from outside sources, such as "I've Done Everything For You," which was written by Sammy Hagar. But most of the tracks were penned by the native Australian.
"I can do other people's songs, but when you get down to it, I rather do my own," Springfield said. "I think I've done a pretty good job."
Springfield, 57, has never received his due because during his heyday, he was written off as a pretty-boy soap opera star. But Springfield, who became a mega-star because of his work as Dr. Noah Drake on "General Hospital," has been a working musician since 1968.
"Music was always my thing," Springfield said. "I would have never become an actor if I weren't a musician first."
Springfield, who appeared in the 1978 film "Battlestar Galactica" as well as episodes of such '70s TV series as "The Rockford Files" and "The Incredible Hulk," never stopped touring and recording.
"That's always been a passion of mine," he said. "I could never leave music behind."
Unlike his halcyon days when Springfield was on relentless tours, the jaunts are shorter now.
"That's by design," he said. "During the '80s it was such a grind. I remember being on the road every night for four months, and that's torture. Most people have no idea what it's like. By the second month of such a grind, you're in the middle of a show and you wonder how many more songs are left in the set. You just want to get off stage. You're so burned out.
"I like playing a few shows and going home and then going out again. That keeps the energy level up. I want to do this for a while still. I don't want to burn myself out. I take breaks, and that way I can still be excited about performing."

Flashback Friday

We thought we'd try out a new feature, and see how it goes. On Friday, we'll flashback to a previous time in Rick's career and have some remembering back when. With the new hype that is surrounding the introduction of Eli Love, here's a piece from back in the 80's.

Rick Springfield: He's Just What the Doctor Ordered!

He's the sexy, sultry new doctor on "General Hospital" who's guaranteed to make your temperature rise - or double your money back! He's got what it takes - he's super gorgeous Rick Springfield!

You get lightheaded whenever you hear his name mentioned...your pulse starts racing at the mere sound of his voice...your heart skips a beat (or two or three) when thoughts of him drift into your mind...you feel your temperature slowly but surely rise at the very sight of him. Uh oh - sounds like you may have caught Rick Springfield fever!

Don't worry thought - it's a condition that's so deliriously exciting, you won't mind being under its spell at all! As a matter of fact, Rick has always been pretty terrific at casting magical spells over girls!

But here's fair warning...it's easy to catch his special fever but hard to break the habit of loving him! Rick's got an awful lot to offer a girl - he can be tons of fun to share a laugh with but serious when he needs to be. And he can treat a girl the way she wants to be treated - with kind words, gentle caresses and so much love, your heart will want more and more!

If you'd like to let him know what kind of effect he has on you, you can write him in care of STAR.........

He's got the prescription for love you've been waiting for! (Tiger Beat, circa 1980)

The original article can be viewed here.

Rick gets picked again!

For the second weekend in a row, Rick's show made it into the top picks for the week. Last weekend, Rolling Stone picked Rick's show at the Chicago House of Blues as one of "The Ten Best Shows this Weekend". This Weekend, Rick's show at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston, makes the Boston Globes "Picks of the Week" list. Of course, this isn't news to us, but it's nice to see his show getting the attention that it deserves!

Rick Springfield still a working-class rocker

There are certain things that those of us who came of age in the '80s can recall with certainty about Rick Springfield, who has sold 18 million albums worldwide and won a Grammy in his 30-year career. He wished that he had Jessie's girl. He was a working-class dog. And let's be honest - as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital, he was television's original Dr. McDreamy.

But there's stuff that folks of that era may not know about Mr. Springfield. He was born Richard Lewis Springthorpe in 1949 in Sydney, Australia. He is a fan of all things Titanic. And with an infectious energy, solid musical roots and the ability to not take himself too seriously, he is still rocking after all these years.

On Sunday night, Springfield joins tourmates Eddie Money and Patty Smyth and Scandal at Gilford's Meadowbrook.

We spoke with Springfield recently as he negotiated his way through an airport somewhere in the Midwest.

Monitor: Rick, I have to tell you I met you in 1981 at a record-signing you did in Manhattan. You probably don't remember . . .

Springfield: Did I do anything rude?

I wish! Anyway. You've been at this a long time - you had success with "Speak to the Sky" in the 1970s and then hit big in the '80s with that long string of hits, from "Jessie's Girl" to "Don't Talk To Strangers" to "Hard to Hold." What is it that still draws you to take the stage?

Springfield: There is still nothing in the world like playing live. The audience charges me up, they keep me fresh. And now there's multi-generations out there. They used "Jessie" in the movie 13 Going On 30 and that has brought a new audience. I take writing seriously, but I take being on stage as being the time to really have fun!

You recently took a break from writing songs and released an album of cover songs - including kind of moody, melancholy versions of "Life in a Northern Town," "Imagine," and "Under The Milky Way." What led you to decide to do a cover album?

Springfield: Well, those are all songs I love. But honestly, recording other people's songs gives me a break from what is often a very traumatic process of trying to record my own stuff. Some people might say I have certain anal retentive features.

You've written some introspective, some dark, some spiritual and very personal lyrics, going back to your early song "April 24, 1981" about your father's death. Yet there's that perception out there that you are the pop, "Jessie's Girl" guy. At what point does that get on your nerves?
I don't get offended by that stuff. Really, at some point, I realized that it isn't all about me.

Springfield: Though of course it is! But you know you accept a little ego sting because we all do that. We are comfortable putting everybody into a box. I do it too. What you hope for, of course, is that if people like that first one or two songs then they delve in a little more. It's interesting you mention my father. I've had so many people mention to me over the years how they found comfort in my song "My Father's Chair" when they have experienced the loss of somebody very close.

Your music career and acting career took off simultaneously as "Jessie's Girl" got big at about the same time you joined the cast of General Hospital, but you were and are clearly a musician first. What is it that draws musicians to want to act and actors to want to be singers?

Springfield: Well, both are similar but not the same, but they are close enough to promote a sort of envy - an actor looking at a musician on stage and thinking, "Oh man! I want to be a god-like rock star too!" It doesn't always work out well, though. It's easier to go from music to acting than the other way around. There is an authenticity, a truthfulness you develop as a working musician, and only with that do you really connect with the audience. It's almost antithetical to acting because if you're playing a role it doesn't really go well in the long term. I look at American Idol. These folks can sing and they are given these contracts, but do they have the authenticity? That visceral connection?

Is the ego different in musicians and in actors?

Springfield: Let me tell ya! I had the privilege of meeting both Elvis Presley and Paul McCartney. And you know, they were decent guys. They didn't feel the need to remind anybody how important and talented they are. They were not jerks. And I think, then, of some actors on the soaps who are so, so the opposite of that.

Your mom bought you your first guitar when you were 13. Where would you be today if you'd been given, say, a hula hoop instead?

Springfield: A robot! It was almost a robot and not a guitar. I know I was the kid lip syncing along to the radio, pretending to play guitar with a very cool backwards tennis racket. So my mom decided to get me a guitar, but then right before my birthday she asked me what I wanted and I said I wanted a robot because I was really really into robots. And she goes . . . "Uh- oh. Wouldn't you rather have a guitar?" I figured out the guitar had already been purchased. So I graciously said I wanted a guitar. Which turned out okay.

Yes, it seems to have worked out. One last question: What do you think the audience doesn't expect when you take the stage at Meadowbrook?

Springfield: They probably don't expect that they're going to get all hot and sweaty. But they are. We have a powerful band and we put on a rock-and-roll show. And as the audience, they will participate. There is no choice! That's why I love this.

article appeared on the Concord Monitor website on 6/28/07 and was authored by Victoria Shouldis.

Ricky does Dallas

Rick Springfield
13th Annual Rowlett Festival of Freedom
Pecan Grove Park
June 23, 2007

The night after playing the House of Blues in Chicago, Rick headed to Dallas where he played the Festival of Freedom in Rowlett. The opening act for him was the band Ambrosia, which coincidentally, Rick covered one of their songs "Holding on to Yesterday" on his latest cd (The Day After Yesterday) . There was also a Fireworks show before Rick came on, so some people got two fireworks shows that night (because some people report seeing Fireworks whenever Rick appears).
The set list was reported to be:

Who Killed Rock And Roll
Will I
Affair Of The Heart
Alyson
I've Done Everything For You
Rock Of Life
Red House
Don't Talk To Strangers
Medley
Love Somebody
My Generation
Human Touch
Jessie's Girl
Encore:
Wasted
Love Is Alright Tonite

People seemed especially excited to see a two song encore and to hear Wasted, which seems to be a fan favorite.
(photo by Stacey Elliott)

Blog Contributions

If you are going to an upcoming show, and would like to contribute to the blog - please email me.
We are looking for details from the show - set list, interesting, funny moments,etc, and one photo to go with the report.

New Tour Dates!

A couple of now confirmed tour dates are listed on Ticketmaster.

Rick Springfield
Fri, Sep 14, 2007 08:00 PM
Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville, TN
Public on sale 7/9/07 10:00 am CDT
Access Presale 7/2/07

Fri, Oct 19, 2007 07:30 PM
House of Blues Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
General Admission
HOB Presale going on now
tickets go on sale to the public 6/30 at 10:00 am PDT

House of Blues in the Windy City

Chicago, IL
House of Blues
6/22/07

Rick Springfield played the House of Blues in Chicago on Friday. Fans in attendance got a special treat when he showed up and talked to Roe Conn during his radio broadcast from there at around 4:30 pm. While it was a "typical" interview, Rick did seem very talkative and seemed to be in a great mood. He did say that he was having to do diaper duty on his pug, having to cut out a hole so the tail would fit. He said he had been pushing his wife to possibly having another baby since both his sons were grown and he was wanting another "butt to diaper", and he kind of got his wish, only this butt happened to have a tail.

The set list was pretty typical, as follows:

Who Killed Rock N Roll
Will I?

Affair of the Heart

Alyson
I've Done Everything For You

Rock of Life
Red House

Don't Talk to Strangers

The Medley

Love Somebody
Jesus Saves

My Generation

Human Touch

Jessie's Girl

Love is Alright Tonite

And now, for some real news (ha). Apparently Rick ripped his jeans during the show. Which means that he's down to one pair. So the big question is - will we be seeing some new jeans soon, or will we just be seeing more of the cargos?

(photo by Carey B./ccr)

"Love" in the Afternoon on GH

Rumors and Spoilers

Lots of rumors and spoilers have been posted lately about Rick's upcoming appearances on General Hospital. The next confirmed date that Rick will appear is the week of July 2nd, and he should have multiple appearances that week (and it's always possible he'll pop up before then, but there has been no indication of that).

Tying together all the reports that have been flying around, it seems as if Rick will be playing a second character on GH, possible name - Eli Love; possible occupation - Rock Star/Spy. He apparently is the spitting image of Dr. Noah Drake, and Noah has to fill in for him when he is put out of commission. It's very likely that Eli will have some kind of an accent. Stay tuned to General Hospital to find out how this really plays out.

Double Shot in Vinton

Vinton, LA
6/16 - 6/17/07
by Amy LeBlue

6/16/07
Who Killed Rock N Roll
Itsalwaysomething
Affair Of The Heart
Alyson
I've Done Everything for You
Living in Oz
Gloria
Daytripper (?)
Redhouse
Don't Talk to Strangers
Medley
Love Somebody
Jesus Saves
My Generation
Human Touch
Jessie's Girl
Encore
Love is Alright Tonite

6/17/07
Who Killed Rock N Roll
Will I ?
Affair of the Heart
Alyson
Rock of Life
Kristina
Fire
Redhouse
Don't Talk to Strangers
Speak to the Sky (partial)
Gloria (part of Pretty Woman, part of Can't Get No Satisfaction
then finished Gloria.....very interesting how he did this part)
Beautiful You
Love Somebody
My Generation
Human Touch
Jessie's Girl
Encore
Love is Alright Tonite
(photo from 6/16 by Amy LeBlue)

L.A. to LA

Shreveport, LA

Sam's Town
6/15/07
By Christa Riolo

Opening video on screens on either side of stage
Set List:
Who Killed Rock and Roll
Living in Oz
Affair of the Heart
Alyson
IDEFY
Rock of Life
Red House
DTTS - didn't get off the stage, just leaned as far as he could to reach people - picked on Shreveport, said it wasn't much of a big city....
Medley
A little surfer music
then he told us he was coming "out there" and got hooked up to go... but he ended up doing all of Love Somebody on stage
He finally got off the stage for My Generation... during the middle of My Generation, he did a little bit of a birthday song.... not positive but I think it was It's Your Birthday (Beatles)
then did Human Touch out in the audience....
back on stage for Jessie's Girl.... during the heavy breathing part, Matt and George snuck up from the sides and started pretending to hump him during this part.... it was really funny and Rick lost it.... after he finished laughing, he finished the song...
Encore:
LIAT

Hhe seemed to be in a really good mood.... but not very talkative, just his regular spiel before Love Somebody about Hard to Hold and his butt.... tons of rose explosions...

(photo by Christa Riolo)

What Happens in Vegas......

Henderson, NV

Green Valley Ranch

Ovation Lounge

6/09/07

Fortunately we were in Henderson, so I guess we'll spill the beans.

There was a new opening to the show - a screen came down and then a montage of footage was shown starting very early in Rick's career up through now (well, up through SDAA and his return to General Hospital, not sure if there was anything even more recent than that).

The set list was nicely mixed up from the night before. This was a pretty small venue and many of the people had been the night before, so it was perfect for that situation. After IDEFY, there was a request for Souls and Rick's response was "you guys suck, that's a lot of pressure you're putting on me, these guys don't know it". Then he said "maybe we'll give it a shot". After Kristina he told this story - He said about an hour after they checked in, and when they went to get him to bring him down for sound check there was no security guards, just employees from the venue. They told him they couldn't spare any security guys because there was a fight at the topless pool. He said he and wife looked at each and went "our kids are here". He said "Both my boys Liam and Josh are here. They're the two really handsome dudes strutting around the pool. You may have seen them". Josh was actually sitting on stage and Rick looked back there when he said it and Josh was just kind of shaking his head rolling his eyes. Then he said they were walking down to sound check and there was his oldest son Liam, and he said "hey, we just got in a fight." Rick then says "part of me went 'damn' and the other part went 'YES'! (as he pumped his fist in the air)". During DTTS, Rick sang "how's life in the big sin city.....every man's a gambler, every girls a hooker". George brought out his extra microphone and Rick said "they sing pretty good, I think we know they sing pretty good. We're going to skip the sing-a-long bit, I think you're done with that, aren't you?" Then he said "alright, maybe just one Georgie". So he got George to throw him back the mic. After he was done with DTTS, he asked how many had been there last night (a bunch cheered) and then said "so you don't want to hear The Medley again, right? You've already heard it". So they went into Souls. He mentioned that they had seen Love the night before and then went into "Get Back". In the Middle of Gloria Rodger sang a bit of "Nowhere Man".

Set List:

Who Killed Rock N Roll

Living in Oz

Affair of the Heart

Alyson

I've Done Everything for You

Rock of Life

Kristina

Fire

Red House

Don't Talk to Strangers

Souls

Get Back

Gloria

Love Somebody

Jesus Saves

My Generation

Jessie's Girl

Wasted

Love is Alright Tonite

(note: No Human Touch)

A new TV apperance for Rick!

TV Land Confidential

For the nostalgic, this will be a great series. There is no telling which episodes Rick might just show up in so mark your calender and tune in and find out.

TV Land Reveals The Untold Stories Behind Favorite TV Shows, Music, Movies And More When TV Land Confidential Returns On Wednesday, July 11 At 10 PM ET/PT This six-episode series, premiering with back-to-back episodes -- "Oddballs" and "Movies" -- airs every Wednesday at 10 p.m. through August 8


Each 30-minute episode of TV Land Confidential is filled with anecdotes, interviews and clips, bringing viewers the tales behind their favorites in entertainment. Told by the people who were there - the stars, producers, network executives and others in the know - viewers will laugh alongside these insiders as they share their stories, from love blooming on the set between a guest star and the star of a popular sitcom to what inspired the pop hits "Jessie's Girl" and "I Will Survive," to the secrets behind filming some of pop culture's most memorable movie scenes.

Celebrities slated to appear in the series include: John Amos, Danny Bonaduce, Todd Bridges, Kirk Cameron, David Cassidy, Tony Danza, Fran Drescher, Josh Duhamel, Marla Gibbs, Jorge Garcia, Louis Gossett Jr., Pat Harrington, Melissa Joan Hart, Judd Hirsch, Shirley Jones, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Knight, Cheryl Ladd, Robert Loggia, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Wilson, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, John Ratzenberger, Phil Rosenthal, Rick Springfield, Alan Thicke, Marlo Thomas, Frankie Valli, Jon Voight and Billy Dee Williams

The rollout for TV Land Confidential is as follows (all times ET/PT):

Wednesday, July 11, 10 p.m.
ODDBALLS: They are the oddball characters you rarely meet in real life, but find all over the TV dial. The things they do and say are unforgettable.

Wednesday, July 11, 10:30 p.m.
MOVIES: The silver screen is a goldmine of untold stories.

Wednesday, July 18, 10 p.m.
FINALES: Even in the world of television all good things must come to an end - from the hit shows that go out with a bang, to the series that are quietly canceled there's always a story behind the send-off.

Wednesday,July 25, 10 p.m.
GUEST STARS: They show up, do their bit and then they're off to the next show. They're the guest stars who spice up your favorite shows.

Wednesday, August 1, 10 p.m.
LOCATIONS: What happens when your favorite TV shows leave the safety of the studio and go out on location?

Wednesday, August 8, 10:30 p.m.
MUSIC: What does it take to make a song a number one hit? Featuring # 1 songs and stars from the 60's, 70's, and 80's, this episode looks at the world of pop music. What happened when the Monkees met the Beatles? How did Motown turn out so many hits? Which Woodstock performer wrote a song in front of the half million people in attendance -and why? Viewers will hear inside stories about song-writing and get the real story behind songs like: "December 1963 (Oh What A Night)", "Jessie's Girl" and "I Will Survive."

To view the entire article: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070611/nym112.html?.v=87

Rick Springfield on TV!

Soapography
Rick Springfield & Kimberly McCullough

Rick Springfield and Kimberly McCullough (“General Hospital”) are profiled. 30 min- 2006


Sat Jun 16 05:00A on SoapNet
Sun Jun 17 12:30A on SoapNet


100 Greatest Songs of the 80's 20-1
Saturday Jun. 23 08:00 PM EDT
VH1
Catch the #20 song-Jessie's Girl

And the dates keep coming!

10.20.07
Primm, NV
Primm Valley Resort
with special guestEddie Money

Family Affair

Henderson, NV

Green Valley Ranch

Ovation Lounge

6/8/07

This trip is a family affair for Rick. He was joined by his wife, his Mom, his kids and some of their friends. He made a joke during the show that if anybody's friends had trouble getting tickets it was because half the room was his family. He said that his mom was out there and that she was the old lady with her fingers in her ears. He said "The only problem with playing a place this small is I think I know most of you by your first names." There was a license plate frame on the stage and Rick picked it up and started to read it - "My dream ride is...." then he said "That's rude, I can't say that, my mom is in the audience. Where is that old broad? Don't start me on my mom, she's so great now, but boy you should have seen her when I was 15 or 16. She was tough." Someone was wearing an EFX t-shirt and he said "did I really think that was a good looking shirt? I look like a girl and I'm holding a pink guitar." He offered to give her money back. He said "I think I look better now, don't I?" (actually he looked pretty good back then). "I think that was my gay period." (hey, what about the 70's?). Then Packy and Sal (his assistant at EFX and a member of the EFX cast) were also in the audience and he had Packy sing during DTTS (and she sang "born in the USA" and Rick laughed). He said this was kind of like playing in his living room, only his living room was bigger. He also said that he needed to finish early because they were going to go see "Love". Then he said "I'm kidding, I am going to go see "Love" but I won't finish the show early, I promise" (the show seemed pretty short). While Rick was out in the audience, he said "Hey, who pinched my ass? Hey my Mom is in the audience, you can't pinch my butt! and then he said "Mom, they're pinching by butt, what should I do?"

Set List:

Who Killed Rock N Roll

Will I?

Affair of the Heart

Alyson

I've Done Everything for You

Rock of Life
Red House

Don't Talk to Strangers

The Medley

Love Somebody

My Generation

Human Touch

Jessie's Girl

Love is Alright Tonite

Oh yea, one more thing. Once Rick noticed the big screens over to the side, he kept looking up at them. Not sure what he was looking at, though.

A Voice in the Dark

Bernard Zuel

June 9, 2007

RICK SPRINGFIELD IS still a very good-looking fellow. The kind who Jessie's girl, or her mother, wouldn't ignore any more. The man is nearing 60 but looks 15 years younger. He has hooded eyes, dark hair and is obviously fit. While quite polite and gentlemanly, he has lost neither his Australian accent nor the ability to take the piss.
"I don't think that sense of humour ever goes, does it?" smiles the LA-based, Sydney-born performer. "And the accent. Still, I got my fair share of beatings [over the accent] in England when I was a kid."
Springfield's father, Norman Springthorpe, was in the military and was posted to Britain in the late 1950s for several years. "Being an Australian in England at that time wasn't the most popular person to be."
Later in Australia he went on to wear a pink suit in the band Zoot, when all around him sideburns, beards and denim were de rigueur in any rock band. Clearly, this was a man asking to be beaten up.
"And we were," he laughs. "We got into a couple of fights backstage, one with Billy Thorpe and his band. I met Billy Thorpe when I came over here and I was telling him how I was always scared of him because his fans were always trying to beat us up."
Springfield laughs easily but his laugh is not a full-bodied one. Like his eyes, there's always a shadow behind it. Nothing dramatic these days - the man has been married for 23 years, has two adult sons he clearly adores and declares himself blissfully happy - but it doesn't take much to see or hear the touches of something darker not far beneath the surface.
We're upstairs in a seriously trendy LA restaurant. Outside, tourists in cars slow down and take photos of its front door. Springfield will be in Australia soon for the nostalgia-fest of the Countdown tour, but America has been his home for 35 years, during which time he won a Grammy, released four platinum albums and scored a US No. 1 single with Jessie's Girl. He became a daytime soap star as Dr Noah Drake in General Hospital (a role he landed in 1979 and recently reprised to much viewer delight) and then a film actor.
There were also dark times in the early 1970s when, despite the success of his first solo single Speak To The Sky, he realised he was a floundering little fish in a very big pond.
"In those first three years ... teen magazines started calling my manager and saying, 'We're giving him all this press and he's writing songs about suicide and families breaking up."'
Springfield split from his managers. "All my friends, who were their friends, disappeared, so I was truly on my own in Hollywood at that time, 1974. I was really getting suicidal. At one point, I thought, 'I can't go home beaten, so the next best thing is to shoot myself.' I was really starting to think thoughts like that, sitting alone in my apartment."
A friend talked him into acting classes - "it saved my life," he says. Better yet, he met another friend who took Springfield into his family; living in LA without any roots or support, it was something he desperately needed.
"I don't know if that is drive or prescience or blind idiocy, but I knew something was going to happen and that was the rock I clung to," he says now, adding with a chuckle. "But one of the great things about being depressed or having dark times is you write a lot of music. All my stuff is like that.
"Jessie's Girl is about a [real] unrequited relationship, Don't Talk To Strangers is about sexual paranoia. They are all on the darker side. I always was a very dark kid. They used to call me moody in the Zoot.
"I had this image as the happy-go-lucky popstar but it's never been the case, really."
You would never have known it from Countdown.
The Countdown Spectacular 2 is at the Acer Arena on August 24.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/a-voice-from-the-dark/2007/06/07/1181089228047.html

Baltimore review

Baltimore's Pier Six Pavilion
"Working Class Dog" tour
June 1, 2007
By Timothy Elliott

Overview:
First show: Patty Smyth / Scandal
Second show: Eddie Money
Third show: Rick Springfield
Beautiful summer evening on Baltimore's inner harbor, great open-air venue, and a three-band line-up - lots of fun and a study in contrasts. Patty Smyth sounded great, Eddie Money put on a serviceable-but-stiff show with paramedics on alert, and RS and the band seemed to be having a good time during a slightly shorter than usual set.
Details:
Scandal / Patty Smyth
Only caught the last couple of songs, but Patty Smyth's voice seemed strong as ever. Wardrobe: She was in a white baby-doll shirt that might not have been the most flattering choice for her.

Eddie Money
I enjoy many of Eddie Money's songs when they pop up on the radio. He had a large, enthusiastic crowd who sang along and enjoyed the show. That said, Money's approach to live shows embraces the worst of airport hotel lounge-ish tendencies. Money's habit of interrupting himself midsong for goofy asides and canned banter grated on me. During nearly every song, he urged the crowd for more and better enthusiasm. You know the gesture, the Morpheus-to-Neo-come-here hand waggle... It was like watching a 60s-era Playtone show with an Applause-o-Meter.
Wardrobe: Money jammed himself into a dark suit with a light-colored tie. During the encore, he made a joke about wrapping up quickly: "This girdle is killing me..." In fact, the encore ("Shakin'") was the highlight of the show - Money finally sounded engaged and energized. It's too bad the whole set wasn't like that.
#1. Two Tickets to Paradise (interrupted half a dozen times for lounge chatter)
#2 Think I'm in Love (only two asides)
#3. Want To Go Back (solid Money sax intro, beginning of annoying "gimme some love" hand signs)
#4 Take Me Home Tonight (daughter Jessica handling the Ronnie Spector lines nicely)
#5. Jessica Money lead on "Midnight Rider" Allman Brothers cover
#6 Ain't No Mountain High Enough duet with Jessica
#7. You Don't Know Me (weak cover of classic Ray Charles tune with "EVERYBODY knows EDDIE MONEY!" aside plus BS shout-out to Baltimore schtick and references to "American Idol")
#8. Sorry, don't know the song. "Lucky One," maybe? "East Coast, West Coast" references
#9. Lose Control (removed jacket; shirt sleeves intact)
#10. Walk on Water (2.5 inch vertical leap on stage; three separate urges for applause; "Are we having FUN tonight or what!")
#11. Baby Hold On (crowd took care of the "...money can't buy you looooooooove" extended note)
#12. Everybody Rock and Roll The Place
Encore
#13. Shakin' (best performance of Money's set)

RS
Security reinforced at stage following Eddie Money. Stage re-set almost guaranteed a short set. They were still tinkering at 9:42, and the venue has a firm ending time of 11 p.m.
Aha! 9:45 and the soundscape intro music's up...
#1. Who Killed Rock and Roll?
Wardrobe: Plain black jeans with minor red accents; wide black leather belt with intricate silver icons; pale pink skull shirt with short sleeves; black boots with silver accents; shorter summer 'do. Pale pink latex band on one wrist - Sahara support?
Lean and muscular. RS looks like he's training for a triathlon, as opposed to Eddie Money, who appears to be training for a heart attack. They were born within a few months of each other.
Not too sure about this song; didn't grab me the way hearing pre-release versions of "idon'twantanythingfromyou" did.
#2. Affair of the Heart
First rose explosion with one stem in mouth tango-style. He picked up another bunch later in the song, but he either missed the window or just decided to save 'em for later. Could be that he noticed a woman close to the stage wearing a thong - on her head...
Easy for RS to see people in the pit; the security was serious all night about keeping stage rushers without first two row tickets out of the pit. Many of the security guards were women, so they were polite and *completely* immune to the wiles of errant women who often sweet-talk the male guards. Smart move on the part of venue's management.
#3. Alyson!
Yea! Alison Durbin's been in the news for a harsh, Ozzie prison term for marijuana. Sorry to hear her bad news, but delighted to hear the song. Good guitar intro by RS, the first of many extended solo guitar arrangements during the evening.
Rose explosion right before "Star-crossed lovers/I really felt the part..." verse.
#4. IDEFY
Off-mic for second and third chorus, but it hardly mattered given the volume of the audience's singing. Guitar toss and drop, followed by an overhead smack on the stage and a one-blow-to-the-drum-kit kill. He tossed pieces of the red ax into the pit and front rows.
#5. Rock of Life
Gazed at his hands during the "little boy in my hands..." line. Not wearing a wedding ring tonight; maybe it slows down the fretwork. Speaking of which: nice feedback at end of song that segued into the pre-"Red House" solo and rose-explosion de-tuning. He seemed to be enjoying the solo work. He also seemed to enjoy the attentions of a pretty, curvy blonde girl in the pit. She waved a small, battery-operated fan up at him. Its spinning blades had tiny red LED lights that spelled "YOU'RE SO HOT" as they flailed. He leaned down into the breeze and let her fan him. Switched to a new guitar and launched into...
#6. Red House
George Bernhardt on lead guitar managed a quick cigarette during this song.
#7. DTTS
As usual, RS introduced it as a "new song" in relation to "Red House" vintage. Also as usual, offered a resigned, amused grin as he botched the lyrics: "I always forget these words...." He was adjusting to the sparsely populated pit - no more than 20-25 people close to the stage the entire evening. He tinkered with the arrangement a little - "Use you up, use you up, use you up" three times to lead into another expanded guitar solo and the sing-a-longs. Put "Joe" on the spot for the "Don't talk" line from the stage, then waded into the audience. He expanded the spotlight sing-a-long standing atop the front-row seats stage right.
Someone handed him an image of Scooby's face mounted on a tongue depressor. He held up the mask, announced it was his dog, and then noted the creation was bizarre. (The lady with the thong on her head had let it drop around her neck by this point.)
RS lurched further into the crowd - "Don't let me fall!" - and made it out another five rows or so in the center section. He threw another twist into the mix on the way back. He stepped from the front row seat backs onto the arms of a young man's sleek wheelchair, got a delighted response from the guy, then rolled from the chair onto the stage. Excellent!
#8. Medley
a. Bop ’til You Drop
b. Celebrate Youth
c. Calling All Girls (large, perma-shaped bra hits the stage at this point)
d. Jessie's Girl tease
e. Don't Walk Away (noticed bra, picked it up on neck of guitar, started to toss it back but abandoned it when it fell off)
f. State of the Heart (either off-mic or just mum for all lyrics up to "If I seem a little strange...")
g. What Kind of Fool
h. I Get Excited (I Still Don't Miss the Chorus Line on Stage)
i. Bop (redux)
#9. Love Somebody
Guitar change and wireless mic switch routine. Backlit with simple but blinding white lights until beginning of lyrics. A blonde stage crasher rushed out from the wings during the wireless mic set-up. Wasted opportunity, really, because RS never entertains such goofs while he's in the middle of something else like a guitar switch or mic change.
He started the song on stage and drifted to stage left. A lovely girl in white shorts and a turquoise "Patrick" (of "Spongebob" fame) shirt handed up her groovy white LaCoste sunglasses. RS put 'em on and continued the song, leaning down into the pit to let the owner snap a quick shot.
Mid-song, he left the stage and the wireless mic cut out. The crowd and the band kept the song going as the tech scrambled to bring another mic. The headset drifted back into the mix about then, though, and RS picked up without a hitch.
#10. My Generation
Still in the audience, about five rows out to start, eventually about 10 rows deep for cell phone schtick. He signed a "Working Class Dog" LP cover in a nano-second, set off another rose explosion. Then he managed to get a clear cell phone connection with a nice lady, so both sides of the conversation - "Who is this?" "What? What?" - broadcast.
As "My Generation" segued back in for a finish, two women raised green, 80s-lettered "Bobbie Spencer" t-shirts.
#11. Jessie's Girl
RS was still in the audience about 10 rows from the stage. At this point, one of the "Bobbie Spencer" women upped the ante and had a plastic cup of beer...balanced on her head. What? She was desperate for RS to touch her. She angled through the crowd, green "Bobbie Spencer" shirt held up across her chest, beer still atop her head, one finger on her free hand reaching out like Michelangelo's Adam (or was that E.T.?) RS was within a few feet of her, recoiled slightly when he noticed the oddity, then pointedly refused to play along.
He moved back toward the stage for band introductions.
Encore
#12 Love is Alright Tonight
"You guys are still here?" Changed skull shirt for blue plaid sleeveless number - very Paul Westerburg-ish shirt, that one. At the end of the song, RS leaned over, slid out of the guitar strap, said his goodnights and made a low-key exit. The lady with the thong went gently into the good night with it still wrapped around her neck. :->
(photo by Caralyn W.)
Additional photos

More new Tour dates!!

And the dates keep coming! Fall 2007 and beyond!

2007
11.03.07
Tacoma, WA
Emerald Queen Casino
2008
02.23.08
Dearborn, MI

Ford Community Center

Photo by: Susan Fortune, Tacoma 2006

Oh Canada!

Another new tour date! Lucky Canada
07.08.07
Calgary, AB
Calgary Stampede

ACCESS-RS presale 6/4
Public onsale 6/8

This is a General Admission/STANDING ROOM ONLY show.