Rick Springfield Rocks Rockville

Rockville Hometown Holidays

Rockville, MD

5/25/08
Review & Photo: Dancy Zahn

What a long, hot day anticipating our favorite rock star’s performance! This festival was a very popular place to be yesterday. The weather was beautiful, and there were so many things to see, taste and do. (And I don’t just mean Rick, haha!)

There were a select group of die-hards who had been holding their spots at the stage all day. As early evening approached, the outer areas for chairs and blankets really started to fill up. The Navy Cruisers band opened up, and they were fantastic. Playing everything from the Beatles to Van Halen!

As Rick’s guys set up, we noticed that guitar tech George was absent, replaced by someone we’ve never seen. And will probably never see again.....more to follow about that. The band took the stage and Rick came out right after them! He had on the new jeans that we love, a long sleeved white shirt, and black leather jacket. And of course, the new brown boots. The standing-only area up front immediately became a swarm of people pushing towards the stage. Rick was really dancing around, lots of jumps and spins and cute moves. It’s the new boots, I tell ya.

As the show progressed, there were some technical difficulties. When Rick threw his guitar to the tech, it made a rough landing and cut the poor guy by his eye! Good thing there were paramedics on hand. We didn’t see him the rest of the show. Buzz filled in with tuning and tweaking equipment. Rick came out to the VIP section for DTTS, this section was reserved for city officials and event staff, I believe. Among the people who sang was a woman named Nirvana! Rick really liked that! He said, "That’s like me saying, Hi, my name is Heaven Springfield!" He brought the cutest little girl named Faith on stage, to sing and dance a little.

At some point, a life sized cut-out of Rick made it’s way onto the stage, and he joked around pretending it was playing the guitar. This cut-out had been the prize of a raffle that several of us entered earlier in the day. The cut-out also spent some time beside Rodger during the show.

After the Bop Medley, it was time for Rick to strap on the power pack and headset. It didn’t work! Off came the gear, and Rick headed out with just a mic in hand, and no guitar to shield him from the masses. Turned out he didn’t get far, because the crowd refused to part and allow him through. He sang Love Somebody, Human Touch and JG standing in the front of the crowd, and worked his way back on to the stage.

For the encore, we were treated to the addition of I’ll Make You Happy before Love Is Alright Tonight. Rick had shed the white shirt and came out in the new WKRR tshirt, nice and tight. He thanked us all and gave his trademark self hug.

The crowd was still dancing and screaming as What’s Victoria’s Secret was played over the sound system after the guys left the stage. I could hear people discussing the cruise and the upcoming cd all around me as people gathered their belongings and made their way out of the square. I am certain that all who were present would have to agree, Rick put the rock in Rockville last night!

(...This fan’s husband came to his first ever RS show, and had to admit it was a fun time!)

Who Killed Rock and Roll

Its Always Something

Affair of the HeartAlyson

I've Done Everything For You

Rock of Life

Kristina

Red House

DTTS

Bop Til You Drop Medley

Love Somebody

Human Touch

Jessie's Girl

Encore:

I'll Make You Happy

Love is Alright Tonight