Stripped Down CD/DVD Preorder

Rick Springfield Stripped Down cd/dvd is available for preorder on Amazon.

It will be released on February 24, 2015.

Ricki and the Flash

First Promotional still from Ricki and the Flash, due in theaters 6/26

Shows announced for 2015

February 22, 2015
Palace Theater
Manchester, NH
Stripped Down show

March 20, 2015
Uptown Theatre
Napa, CA
Stripped Down show

May 14, 2015
Deadwood Mountain Grand
Deadwood, SD
Stripped Down show

May 15, 2015
NIU Convocation Center
DeKalb, IL
Full Band show

Photo by Doreen Harkema

'True Detective' Season 2 Will Feature Rick Springfield

12/11/2014 by Lesley Goldberg - The Hollywood Reporter

The singer-actor will have a role on the HBO anthology

The casting for season two of HBO's True Detective just got a bit odd.

Singer-actor Rick Springfield has joined the cast of the anthology drama, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

The eight-episode sophomore season, now in production in California, centers on three police officers and a career criminal who must navigate a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder.
 
Colin Farrell stars as Ray Velcoro, a compromised detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him. Vince Vaughn is set as Frank Semyon, a career criminal in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner.

Rachel McAdams will play Ani Bezzerides, a Ventura County Sheriff's Office detective whose uncompromising ethics put her at odds with others and the system she serves. Taylor Kitsch is set as Paul Woodrugh, a war veteran and motorcycle officer for the CHP who is running from a difficult past and the sudden glare of a scandal that never happened. Kelly Reilly is Jordan, Frank's wife and a former D-list actress who is a full partner in his enterprises and ambitions.

Details of Springfield's role are being kept under wraps. Also unclear is if his role is as a guest star, recurring or series regular.

"Just finished my 1st day of shooting for season 2 of HBO's True Detective. What a great script. Working w/ Colin Farrell & Rachel McAdams!" Springfield tweeted late Wednesday.
Springfield's credits include the hit "Jessie's Girl," and acting roles on Drop Dead Diva, General Hospital and Californication, where he played himself. He recently completed filming Ricki and the Flash with Meryl Streep.

Season two will be written by Nic Pizzolatto and will be directed by a cadre of helmers — including Justin Lin — after the planned departure of Emmy winner Cary Fukunaga. Springfield joins a cast that also includes recurring players C.S. Lee (Dexter) and Castle's Jon Lindstrom.

Tour dates keep coming!

Selena Auditorium
Corpus Christi, TX
March 5, 2015
Stripped Down show

Jazziz Nightlife
Boca Raton, FL
Stripped Down show

The Good Life Festival at Trilogy Orlando
Orlando, FL
March 14, 2015
Full band show


Capitol Theater
Clearwater, FL
March 15, 2015
Stripped Down show

Neptune Theater
Seattle, WA
March 18, 2015
Stripped Down show

Arvest Bank Theater at Midland
Kansas City, MO
May 10, 2015
Stripped Down show

Photo by Renata Hearn

"Stripped Down" shows announced

 
Five additional "Stripped Down" shows have been added to the tour:

Zilkha Hall - The Hobby Center
Houston, TX
February 6, 2015

The Concert Hall
New York, NY
February 21, 2015

House of Blues
Boston, MA
February 25, 2015

The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center
El Paso, TX
March 6, 2015

Fox Tucson Theater
Tucson, AZ
April 9, 2015

Photo by Renata Hearn

Naperville, IL concert review

Review and photo by B. Minett

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Pfeiffer Hall/ North Central College

Naperville, IL 

STRIPPED DOWN

Set List:

I Get Excited

Affair of the Heart

Me and Johnny

Light My Fire (The Doors cover; first verse & chorus)

Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac cover)

Love is Alright Tonite

Rollin’ & Tumblin’ (Muddy Water cover/ blues song)

Sylvia (with guitar app)

Honeymoon in Beirut

Don’t Talk to Strangers

Baby Blue (Badfinger cover)

Painted Girl (one of first songs he wrote; 2 versions)

April 24, 1981/ My Father’s Chair

I've Done Everything For You

If Wishes Were Fishes (new song written for ‘Stripped Down’ tour)

Love Somebody

Written in Rock

Jessie’s Girl

Concert Notes:

* The Pfeiffer Hall is a very small theatre, a perfect setting for the more intimate “Stripped Down” show of songs interspersed with storytelling. The theatre looked to be at full-capacity, and, once the show began, it was evident that many fans were present, by the amount of audience participation during songs and the cheers of approval for the lesser-well-known songs.

* Rick had his “band in a box” on his laptop to help with musical backing tracks for some songs – him playing all the instruments and singing background vocals, making it sound like an entire band was playing. He also used a guitar app on his phone to accompany ‘Sylvia’, but missed a few chords, and said he should practice more with the app. But some songs were just him and an acoustic guitar.

* He told stories of his life experiences to introduce songs, most of which are recounted in his autobiography. Though I’ve read – and heard, at other ‘Stripped Down’ shows – these stories before, I’m reminded each time what a good storyteller Rick is. He knows how to build up suspense and interest by listening, engaging, and interacting with the audience while he tells each story and he uses interesting facial and vocal expressions and gestures that add to the story. And he’s very funny, too!

* While it’s always nice to hear more songs written by Rick Springfield during a Rick Springfield concert, the covers he plays during the ‘Stripped Down” show are well suited to his storytelling arc and displayed his guitar-playing talents.

* Rick asked the audience if they liked his bearded look (met with a roar of approval), and briefly talked about the movie he just finished making with Meryl Streep, giving a brief synopsis.

* After the approximate 90 minute show, Rick returned to stage for a 15-minute question and answer sessions. Two microphones were set up at the side of the stage, and people lined up to ask questions, most of which were not the typical interview-type questions. What follows is some of what was asked with Rick’s answers paraphrased.

Q&A highlights

Q: meaning of “pretending sixes are sevens” lyric in ‘Honeymoon in Beirut’ song

A: when rolling dice, pretending one number is a better number; in song, it means the facade of a perfect life when there is turmoil inside

Q: How did the role in the Ricki and the Flash movie come about?

A: The director (Jonathan Demme) wanted the musicians to actually play during the filming, and not be dubbed in later, like is done in other movies with band scenes. Since his character was the boyfriend of the lead singer/main character (Meryl Streep), he was the only band member that had to have acting experience/ability (and he jokingly said how many other guitar-playing actors could there be?!).

Q: Personal best professional moment

A: Magnificent Vibration getting good reviews by literary world

Q: Where is the baby blue guitar that he played at other ‘Stripped Down’ shows? Was it damaged in the storm this summer (storm before outdoors Montana concert that damaged some of his guitars and equipment)?

A: He had a special guitar made for this set of shows. The baby blue guitar is with other touring guitars, and he still plays it in-concert.

Q: Did he write any original music for Ricki and the Flash? And will there be a soundtrack with that music?

A: Ricki and the Flash is a cover band, so they don’t play original music. He did write some songs, but they didn’t fit with the mood of the film (though one may be used at the end of the film). If the songs are not put on the movie soundtrack, he may release them on his next CD

Q: Any plans to write songs with other artists, like he did with Dave Grohl?

A: He likes writing with others, as avenue to new sound and inspiration, so he would welcome any opportunity. He mentioned continuing to write with Matt Bissonette (former bass-player in his touring band).

Q: Are his Star Wars toys ok? How is HeadMan?

A: Led to explaining his obsession with Star Wars toys (the part of him that’s still lives in his mother’s basement) and the rarity of the HeadMan figurine that he owns

Q: Will there be a preview of Ricki and the Flash at the Club Med fan event this spring?

A: It depends on what the production company will release. They might be able to show clips, as “it’s all promotion”. They also might use some scenes from the script to stage audience “auditions”. (This question also gave him the opportunity to promote the Club Med event.)

Q: Asked about how to find spiritual path

A: He continues to be spiritual seeker and reads everything he can to continue on his own path.

Q: Suggestions on how to discipline a new puppy (which fan named Zoot)

A: He gives Bindi (his Norwich terrier dog) everything she wants, so he’s not the person to ask about discipline of dogs. He then told a cute story about Bindi. 

Question I’d like to have asked: is there a working title for Magnificent Vibration sequel? And how soon is the publication date?

"Stripped Down" shows announced

Six new "Stripped Down" shows have been added:

Charlene McCombs Empire Theatre
San Antonio, TX
February 7, 2015

Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield, CT
February 26, 2015

Newton Theater
Newton, NJ
February 27, 2015


Paramount Hudson Valley Theater
Peekskill, NY
February 28, 2015

Andy Williams Moon River Theatre
Branson, MO
April 11, 2015

Mount Airy Casino Resort
Mount Pocono, PA
April 18, 2015

Photo by Renata Hearn

Rick returns to Indiana

January looks like a very busy month. A new tour date has been added:

Honeywell Center
Wabash, IN
January 24, 2015

Tickets go on sale: November 25th


Photo by Renata Hearn

Good Life Festival

Rick will be performing with his full band at the Good Life Festival with special guest: Howard Jones.

Encanterra Country Club
San Tan Valley, Arizona
March 7, 2015

Photo by Joanne Orr

Tour date - Bloomington, IL

 


A new tour date has just been announced:

US Cellular Coliseum
Bloomington, IL
January 25, 2015

Full band show with special guests "The Romantics"

Tickets go on sale November 15

Photo by Angela Keating

Posted on Rick's Facebook page:

Tune in to see the broadcast premier of Rick Springfield "Stripped Down" -- this Monday, November 10 at 8:30PM on KERA-TV.

Stay tuned for more broadcasts on PBS as well as additional Rick Springfield "Stripped Down" shows in 2015.

Watch the trailer >> http://youtu.be/wM8OSxyBLFc
Where to watch >> http://www.kera.org/

Stripped Down in Dallas

A new "Stripped Down" show has been announced:

Majestic Theater - Dallas, TX
February 5, 2015

Photo by Lisa Caughhorn

Motor City Casino

Full band show:

Motor City Casino
Detroit, MI
February 15, 2015



Photo by Renata Hearn

"Three nighter" in Ontario!

Just announced on Ticketmaster:

The Avalon Ballroom Theater at Niagara Falls View Casino, Niagara Falls, ON

January 29, 30 & 31

Tickets on sale Friday, October 10


Photo by Susan Fortune

November shows announced

River Spirit Casino
Tulsa, OK
November 7, 2014
Full band show

Golden Nugget
Atlantic City, NJ
November 29, 2014
Full band show


Photo by Anissa Sherman

Macomb, IL concert review

Review & photo by B. Minett

Saturday, September 13, 2014

WIU – Q-Lot

Macomb, IL

Set List:

Living in Oz

I’ve Done Everything for You

I Get Excited

Our Ship’s Sinking

Affair of the Heart

Roar (Katy Perry cover)

Happy Birthday (asked audience sing to him)

I Hate Myself

 

Bop medley (Bop ‘Til You Drop/ Celebrate Youth/ Calling All Girls/ Jessie’s Girl snippet/ Don’t Walk Away/ State of the Heart/ What Kind of Fool Am I) 

 

Love is Alright Tonight

Surf guitar music

Wild Thing (The Troggs cover)

Don’t Talk to Strangers

Love Somebody

Jessie’s Girl  

Concert Notes:

* This FREE concert was part of Family Day at Western Illinois University (WIU). The stage was set up outside in the tailgating parking lot before the college football game (cars and tailgaters were set in the back of the lot). Many fans were waiting hours before the concert start time, to secure their place by the stage (though security wouldn’t let anyone stand right up at the stage, but wanted an emergency aisle left open between the stage and the audience). Those  who were there earlier, were able to watch the sound check, minus Rick. During sound check, George N said this was probably the earliest time (1:30-2:30PM) they had played a show, but Matty said maybe it was the earliest George had, but Matty remembered a concert years ago at 7:30AM. By the time the concert started at 1:30PM, the parking lot section set aside for the concert was full of people, many wearing WIU’s school colors, purple (which Rick noted during ‘Jessie’s Girl’ after the ‘where can I find a woman like that’ line, by saying, “I’m pretty sure she’s wearing purple!”).  

* The weather was perfect for an outdoor concert, with sunny, blue skies and not-too-warm temperatures. The past few days before had been very gray, rainy, and unseasonably cold in IL, so it was nice to have a beautiful fall day for the concert.   

* The set list was shorter than usual, with no encore, as Rick was only scheduled to play for one hour.  Because this was an outdoor concert during the daytime, there were no screens and videos to accompany the songs. Nonetheless, Rick gave a very high-energy performance, so it didn’t seem as if anything was missing without the videos. After the concert, I spoke with a WIU college student, who raved how much he enjoyed the show. He said he attends to a lot of concerts, and this was one of the best performance-wise he has ever seen – something he wasn’t expecting. He said he’d even PAY to see Rick again! 

* As much as I enjoy hearing Rick perform the cover songs, with a shortened set list, I wish he had left them out and played a few more of his own songs. When he started playing ‘Roar’, I heard some fans behind me trying to figure out what song it was, because although they knew Rick’s music, they hadn’t seen him in concert in a while, and didn’t know Katy Perry’s song was a part of his current set list (and he didn’t really introduce it except to quickly say he liked a girl anthem as much as the next guy). 

* Rick asked the audience to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him, because he said he likes to celebrate his birthday the month before and after his actual birthday. He also commented how birthdays seem to arrive faster now. After asking the audience if they knew how old he is – fans up front yelling out the correct age - he said he still feels 17.  

* Because the stage was set very high, with no stairs at the front of the stage, Rick wasn’t able to go out into the audience for ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’, but instead stood at the edge of the stage and motioned for people to come forward; he said he wasn’t calling to anyone in particular, just anyone who was brave enough to step forward to sing. He only had one person from each side of the stage sing, and then a 6-year-old girl was boosted onto stage to dance and sing with Rick. There didn’t seem to be many young children in the audience, which was surprising since this concert was part of WIU’s Family Day. 

* As Rick was leaving the stage at the end of the concert, he stopped at the far left side of the stage to sign autographs on things people were holding out to him. Since he didn’t play ‘Human Touch’, wasn’t able to go out into the audience and wasn’t coming back for an encore, it would have been nice if he had walked along the entire length of the stage for high-fives and autographs. I’ve been to concerts where other performers will do this, walk the length of the stage for handshakes, autographs, and even selfies, at the end of the show. People on the right-side of the stage started holding up things for Rick to sign, too, and were disappointed that he didn’t head back that way before walking off the stage.  

* Who was there: Rick on lead guitar and vocals, George B on guitar, George N on bass, Jorge P on drums,  Paul on keyboards and guitar, Matty (sound guy), and guitar tech, Ruben – so nice to see him back doing what he loves! And all of Rick’s guitars were tuned right, with no obvious guitar issues. 

* What he wore: Rick came out in a black leather jacket, red tee, black jeans, black high-top converse sneakers, and sunglasses. He took the sunglasses off after the first song, and he took the jacket off after the first three songs.

 

* Rick had a full beard (peppered with gray), which he said he had grown for his upcoming movie role. He joked that he would be in the movie with an “up-and-coming actress”, saying “I don’t know if you heard of her? Meryl Streep? I hear she’s gonna be pretty big.” He also was constantly having to hike his pants up, and said that was because they wanted him to “get skinnier” for the movie role and he forgot to bring his belt.

Albany, NY show added

A new tour date has been added to Rick's schedule:

The Egg
Albany, NY

November 21, 2014
Stripped Down show

Australian tour cancelled

Cameron Adams National music writer

From: News Corp Australia Network          

       

RICK Springfield has cancelled his first Australian tour to film a movie with Meryl Streep instead. 
   

The Jessie’s Girl musician and actor was due to start the tour in October. Springfield has some of the most patient fans in Australia; they have waited 30 years to see the Sydney-born musician tour here.

Australian promoter Aldo Lennard has stated the axing was not due to low ticket sales.
“I don’t use excuses like ‘scheduling conflicts’ or ‘routing difficulties’,” Lennard said.
“The shows had actually sold really well, most venues were half full if not almost sold out. We’ve had female fans crying on the phone today.

“We were about to do a second burst of promotion for the tour when we got wind this movie role was coming up. We didn’t want to cancel the tour until Rick signed the contract, which he did today. He’s filming in New York at the exact same time as he was meant to be touring in Australia. I’m positive if he hadn’t got this role he would have toured here. He was born in Australia, his mum still lives in Melbourne, he was really keen to get back here and tour the country for the first time.”

  

"Ricki and the Flash"

Rick Springfield to Rock Out With Meryl Streep in 'Ricki and the Flash'

The Hollywood Reporter - Aug‎ ‎06‎, ‎2014  

By Rebecca Ford and Borys Kit

 

The Jessie’s Girl singer will play one of Streep’s bandmates in the TriStar Productions film.

 

Meryl Steep will have a musician with more than four decades of experience appearing by her side in her upcoming film, Ricki and the Flash.

  

Rick Springfield, the musician behind hits like “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and “Affair of the Heart,” has been cast in Tom Rothman's TriStar Productions film, which is in pre-production and will begin shooting in October.

 

Written by Diablo Cody and to be directed by Jonathan Demme, Ricki and the Flash centers on a rock n’ roll loving woman (Streep) who chased her musical dreams at the price of her family, but is given one last chance to, perhaps, make things right.

Springfield will play a band member who has a crush on Ricki (Streep), and he’ll be showing off his skills on the guitar in the project.

 

Marc Platt and Mason Novick are producing the film. TriStar, which has several high-profile projects in the works including Jodie Foster's Money Monster starring George Clooney and The Lady in the Van starring Maggie Smith, has slated the film for release on June 26, 2015.

 

 

Rock for Ruben Benefit Concert

Rick will be performing at a benefit concert to raise funds for his guitar tech, Ruben Velasco who is battling cancer. 

When: Wednesday, August 20 - 8 pm
Where: House of Blues Sunset Strip

For more information visit Rick's website:
Rock for Ruben Benefit Concert

Sweatin' in Louisville

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Louisville Palace Theatre

Louisville, KY

Photo & Review by B. Minett

 

Set List:

I’ve Done Everything for You

Living in Oz

Will I?

I Get Excited

Our Ship’s Sinking

Affair of the Heart

Roar (Katy Perry cover)

Happy Birthday (had audience sing to him)

I Hate Myself

 

Bop medley (Bop ‘Til You Drop/ Celebrate Youth/ Calling All Girls/ Jessie’s Girl snippet/ Don’t Walk Away/ State of the Heart/ What Kind of Fool Am I)

 

Love is Alright Tonight

Surf guitar music

Wild Thing (The Troggs cover)

Human Touch (in audience without guitar)

You and Me (acoustic)

My Father’s Chair (acoustic)

Love Screws Me Up (acoustic)

Don’t Talk to Strangers

Love Somebody

Jessie’s Girl

 - encore

We Can Work It Out (Beatles cover – acoustic)

I’ll Make You Happy

Kristina

 

Concert Notes:

* Opening act: Berlin. They are a new wave band best known for the song “You Take My Breath Away”, in the Top Gun movie from the ‘8os (and I think may have opened for Rick for some shows during the ‘80s, too?). Again tonite, they gave a very hard-rocking show, and were a good preparation for Rick’s music (in case anyone in the audience thought Rick was going to give a laid-back nostalgic performance). The lead singer, Terri Nunn, walked out into the audience again for one song, and really played to the audience during the entire performance. Tonite, they had two video screens set up at the sides of the stage with videos that really added to the performance.

 

* This was the final show in a five-day run of concerts for Rick (two with Pat Benatar followed by three full-band shows), but Rick’s energy level didn’t seem to be lagging at all (though he got laughing about something at the start of the show, and missed singing the first few lines of the first song). The guys in the band seemed a little goofier tonite, and during the final encore song, they all (except the drummer) came to the front of the stage to play and seemed to be imitating Rick for fun.

 

* A few more rose explosions tonite that yesterday nite, though most of the roses were saved for the encore.

 

* Rick took his shirt off before playing the surf guitar music, saying he’s used to it being hot in California, but not as hot as it was here. I heard later that the temperature in Louisville was 98 degrees, with a heat index (ie, “feels like”) temperature of 102 degrees.

 

* When he got back on stage after his walkabout in the audience for ‘Human Touch’, he asked a lady in the front row to hold his acoustic guitar while he put his shirt on. Lucky fan!

 

* The audience tonite seemed to be more local people and not as many hard-core fans, and I think Rick may have noted this, also. When introducing ‘My Father’s Chair’, he didn’t talk about how when the song first came out, many who heard the song at the time hadn’t lost a loved one, but now those same fans listen to it with a new meaning (the intro he’s given in previous shows). Instead, he introduced the song with the story of how he came to write the song (a condensed version of what he wrote in his autobiography) – perhaps realizing that many in the audience didn’t know the story behind the song. At the end of the song, while he wiped away his tears, he said it always gets to him when he sees the picture of his father sitting in his chair (the last photo shown on the video, which Rick turns to look at as he finishes the song).

 

* Also, what made me think that this audience was filled with more local people, was that, while they rocked along and really seemed to enjoy the songs from the ‘80s, they didn’t seem to have the same recognition factor for Rick’s newer music, (from Shock and End of the World CDs) – which are the songs that fans seem to react to more.

 

* During ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’, he brought only one little boy on stage, 6-year-old Mason, who was on stage last nite also. There didn’t seem to be too many young kids in the audience tonite, and Rick recognized Mason and called him on stage by name. Mason got crazy with his dancing tonite; Rick said that he probably didn’t even need to sing with dancing like that (though he did have him sing, too). 

 

* No promotion of his book, Magnificent Vibration, tonite.

 

* There were a few technical issues with guitars again tonite, with guitars having to be changed in the middle of songs. At one point, I noticed George N, the previous guitar tech (and now on bass), look toward the new guitar tech, Nick, as if to say, Come on, already! Get out here and fix this guitar!

 

* Who was there: Rick on lead guitar and vocals, George B on guitar, George N on bass, Jorge P on drums, Paul back on keyboards and guitar, Mattie (sound guy), and new guitar tech guy, Nick.

 

* What he wore: Rick came out in a black leather jacket with zippers, a white v-neck tee, black jeans, black high-top converse sneakers, sunglasses, and 2 bracelets stacked on his left wrist (so what happened to the 10 other bracelets he was wearing just last night?!). He removed the sunglasses after the first song; he took the jacket off after the first three songs; and he took his shirt off for the surf guitar music solo. He remained shirtless until he returned from singing ‘Human Touch’ out in the audience, at which time he put on a light grey v-neck tee. No shirt change for the encore. (I wonder if he might have run out of clean/dry shirts by this time, as after the show for the meet and greet, he was wearing a light-weight jacket zipped all the way up, with no shirt underneath.)

 

[Final note: Another totally inebriated woman at this show (possibly from more than just alcohol ?). Fortunately, the security at this theatre removed her early on into the show, after she had been warned several times when climbing over seats, trying to run on-stage, posing for her mate to take photos and yelling at him when he wasn’t, and grabbing Rick when he started out into the audience (after which, Rick avoided that side of the audience).]

"You take my breath away" - Indianapolis

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Murat Theatre

Indianapolis, IN

Photo & Review by B. Minett

 

Set list:

I’ve Done Everything for You

Living in Oz

Will I?

I Get Excited

Our Ship’s Sinking

Affair of the Heart

Roar (Katy Perry cover)

Happy Birthday (had audience sing to him)

I Hate Myself

 

Bop medley (Bop ‘Til You Drop/ Celebrate Youth/ Calling All Girls/ Jessie’s Girl snippet/ Don’t Walk Away/ State of the Heart/ What Kind of Fool Am I)

 

Love is Alright Tonight

Surf guitar music

Wild Thing (The Troggs cover)

Human Touch (in audience without guitar)

You and Me (acoustic)

My Father’s Chair (acoustic)

Love Screws Me Up (acoustic)

Don’t Talk to Strangers

Love Somebody

Jessie’s Girl

 - encore

We Can Work It Out (Beatles cover – acoustic)

I’ll Make You Happy

Kristina

 

Concert notes:

* Opening act: Berlin. They are a new wave band best known for the ‘80s song “You Take My Breath Away”, from the Top Gun movie (and I think may have opened for Rick for some shows during the ‘80s, too?). They gave a very hard-rocking show, and were a good preparation for Rick’s music (in case anyone in the audience thought Rick was going to give a laid-back nostalgic performance). The lead singer, Terri Nunn, even walked out into the audience for one song, and really played to the audience during the entire performance. 

 

* When Rick was playing the surf guitar music, scenes from High Tide (the TV show Rick starred in during the ‘90s) were playing on the video screen. This is the third show I’ve seen with this similar set list, but the first time I noticed the video – guess I was always too busy before watching Rick play guitar to notice what was on the screen behind him!

 

* During ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’, Rick called up two girls who were sitting near the stage - then was surprised when two other kids showed up on stage, one from each side of the stage. He arranged the kids on stage by size and age (12-, 10-, 8-, and 6–years-old), before having them dance and sing.

 

* I was sitting near the 10-year-old girl, and when Rick played Katy Perry’s song ‘Roar’, she was singing along, more so than anytime else during the concert. At one point was Rick was in the audience, this girl gave him the tiara she was wearing, and Rick put it on his head, and asked if it was a good look for him (then gave it back to her).

 

* No promotion of his book, Magnificent Vibration, tonite. Not many rose explosions, either.

 

* Who was there: Rick on lead guitar and vocals, George B on guitar, George N on bass, Jorge P on drums, Paul back on keyboards and guitar, Mattie (sound guy), and new guitar tech guy, Nick. 

 

* What he wore: Rick came out in a black leather jacket with a lapel, a white v-neck tee, black jeans, black high-top converse sneakers, and 12 bracelets stacked on his left wrist. [Read reviews for previous nite and next nite to see why I noted the number of bracelets he was wearing.] He took the jacket off after the first three songs. He came out for the encore wearing a light grey tee with Malibu printed on it (and a hole under one sleeve), and his glasses; he took off his glasses after the first encore song. 

 

[Final note: I don’t recall as much about tonite’s show because I spent a good part of it trying to dodge the two drunken women beside me, who were constantly jumping around, flaying their arms, flinging their hair, screaming at Rick and each other, and almost hitting and bumping into those around them. One finally sat down when Rick was playing the acoustic portion, only to first pass out, then vomit – at which point, security finally decided to carry her out of the theatre.]

Waukegan, IL review

Friday, July 11, 2014

Genesee Theatre

Waukegan, IL

Photo & Review by B. Minett

 

Set List:

I’ve Done Everything for You

Living in Oz

Will I?

I Get Excited

Our Ship’s Sinking

Affair of the Heart

Roar (Katy Perry cover)

I Hate Myself

 

Bop medley (Bop ‘Til You Drop/ Celebrate Youth/ Calling All Girls/ Jessie’s Girl snippet/ Don’t Walk Away/ State of the Heart/ What Kind of Fool Am I)

 

 

Love is Alright Tonight

Surf guitar music

Wild Thing (The Troggs cover)

Human Touch (in audience without guitar)

Happy Birthday (had audience sing to him)

You and Me (acoustic)

My Father’s Chair (acoustic)

Love Screws Me Up (acoustic)

Don’t Talk to Strangers

Love Somebody

Jessie’s Girl (shirtless for this song only)

 - encore

We Can Work It Out (Beatles cover - acoustic)

I’ll Make You Happy

Kristina

 

Concert Notes: 

* Opening act: William Beckett. He is a local Chicago musician who opened for Rick during the Chicago “Stripped Down” shows, and is also an opening act for some of the Rick with Pat Benatar shows this summer. Rick’s guitar player, George B, joined William for one song, ‘Ordinary World’ (a Duran Duran cover).

 

* There were several technical problems tonite, the first of which was that the opening video did not play, though the audio could be heard. Having seen this new opening before, it lost all the dramatic effects without the video, and just the music seemed like a strange way to open the show (though with the video, it’s explosive! – those of you who have seen it, know what I mean).

 

* There was also a problem with the ‘Jessie’s Girl’ intro video, where different clips of shows that have used the song are shown. Again, the audio was playing without the video for most of the intro, and the video was in and out, so it lost the effect that it usually has.

 

* And, before beginning to sing ‘You and Me’, Rick said, I should see rose petals here, because the video that plays during the song had not started. Those are just the video problems that were most noticeable to me; there may have been others, but my focus was usually on watching Rick!

 

* Many guitar issues tonite, also. Rick had to change out guitars several times in the middle of songs, and for the final encore song, after two guitar changes, he didn’t use any guitar at all. During the guitar solo part of that song (‘Kristina’), he went behind George B and messed with his guitar as George was trying to play.

 

* When Rick returned on stage after his walkabout during ‘Human Touch’, he held up his book, Magnificent Vibration, that was set on his stool, and said he said he guessed now was the time to promote the book – but he didn’t say much else about it.

 

* During ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’, he brought only one little girl on stage, 5-year-old Faith. She had been sitting on the floor up front with her mother, and had a flashing/spinning light she played with all night (which Rick said had kept distracting him). There didn’t seem to be too many other young kids in the audience tonite.

 

* Rick has begun introducing ‘Love Somebody’ by saying that the movie Hard to Hold was the $10-million video for this song.

 

* Rick’s energy level seemed to be very high tonite, with lots of kicks and jumps and bouncing around the stage.

 

* There was an explosion of rose explosions throughout the show tonite.

 

* Who was there: Rick on lead guitar and vocals, George B on guitar, George N on bass, Jorge P on drums,  Paul back on keyboards and guitar, Mattie (sound guy), and new guitar tech guy, Nick.

 

* What he wore: Rick came out in a black leather jacket with zippers, white v-neck tee, blue jeans with holes worn in knees, black high-top converse sneakers, and 9 bracelets stacked on his left wrist. [Read reviews for the next two nites to see why I noted the number of bracelets he was wearing.] He took the jacket off after the first three songs, and he took the shirt off for ‘Jessie’s Girl’. He came out for the encore wearing a light grey v-neck tee, and his glasses; he only had the glasses on for the first encore song. 

Holy Toledo

Hollywood Casino

Toledo, OH 7/10/14

Review by Darla Gerken

Photo by Mike Gerken 

This was another Rick and Pat Benatar show. Things seem to be right on the mark time wise with these shows.  We had a "Rick Virgin" with us tonight, makes for a fun time to watch their expressions. She now is a Rick fan, our job is complete!

There seemed to be a few technical difficulties at the beginning of the show as Rick announced that they would be taking a short break after only a couple songs.  He came back on stage and said they had too many umbrellas over the equipment causing the left side sound to be lost. He then said we're doing the rest of the show naked, I'll start and he opened his shirt. Sorry girls, that never happened!  

As Rick reminded us about his ADD, he said the trucks going by were freaking him out. He asked, "am I playing on a freeway?" The casino is actually right along Interstate 75 and the concert was in the parking lot.  

He said that he had a birthday coming up soon, well not for a while.  He asked us if we knew how old he was going to be. A lot of us screamed 65 and he shushed us.  Rick said he would be eligible for Medicaid.  Wrong.....we need to tell him it's Medicare. He's a long way from being eligible for Medicaid..........too rich for that! Can you imagine him walking into the Social Security office and saying "I'm Rick Springfield and I'd like to apply for Medicaid".  I'd love to be there for that one.

During the BOP medley (Celebrate Youth) where he points to the "younger and older woman, it seems he always points my way.  I must be paranoid because I'm quite a bit older than most of you gals.   

Rick introduced Mitch his new guitar tech, the ladies should love him, cute blond. I have to say that I miss Rodger, but Jorge is an awesome replacement. He really seems to enjoy his job.   

The sky was beautiful last night when he sang My Father's Chair. The clouds opened up a hole as if our loved ones were looking down on us. I think Rick would agree with me, that was a special moment.  (See picture with this review).   

Unfortunately Neil Giraldo did not come out and play with Rick on Jessie's Girl. Neil did mention that it is going to happen. My thoughts are that maybe their last show of the tour may be the perfect time.

 

Set List

IDEFY

I Get Excited

Our Ship's Sinking

Affair of the Heart

Roar

Happy Birthday

I Hate Myself

Bob Medley

Love is Alright Tonight

Surf Music

Wild Thing

DTTS

My Father's Chair

Love Screws Me Up

Human Touch

Love Somebody

Jessie's Girl