Arizona State Fair

Phoenix, AZ
Arizona State Fair
October 27, 2017
photos by Renata Hearn

Our plan was to go the fair a little early, get a decent parking spot, possibly get a little food then head to the show.  We left at 5:30 for what should have been a 10 minute drive and got stuck in traffic, finally got parked about 6:40 and made it into the venue about 6:55 (show scheduled to start at 7:00). Next time, if there is a next time at this fair, will definitely have a better plan on getting there. The show was a little late to start, which this time worked in our favor. You know when you hear Uptown Funk over the loud speakers, the start is near.

As we know, Rick had surgery in late August and was unable to play his guitar for the shows in September and early October.  He was coming off  a 2 week break so we weren't sure if he would be healed enough to play yet, or not.  It was obvious right away, you could see the glow from the "light up" guitar he has been using to open up the show.

After I Get Excited,  Rick handed off his guitar but did not get another one to take its place.   It seemed like a deliberate choice, and nothing to do with his previous injury.  He seems to have picked out a few songs to perform without the guitar, something he may have decided to keep going from the time he spent unable to play.  He also mentioned he had a new cd coming out - in January - I'm not going to get excited about that 2 month bump in the release date - everything else has indicated it won't be out until March.

Before performing Roar, the jacket comes off and he takes possession of the silver sparkle guitar - he likes to refer to it as his "girly" guitar, which seems appropriate for his "girly" song that has been "rocked up" with guitars and drums.

At the end of The Medley, during the State of the Heart segment, he flung the guitar to his side and sat down at the edge of the stage.

The gold guitar comes out for Wild Thing.

He took an audience vote - between Our Ship is Sinking and Don't Talk to Strangers.  First he asked who wanted to hear Our Ship is Sinking - loud cheers from the first rows of the venue.  Who wants to hear Don't Talk to Strangers - loud cheers from the rest of the venue.  Clearly that was going to be no contest.  Once again, he starts the song with no guitar.  It is common for him to get rid of the guitar part way through the song, but it is new for him to not use it at all.  He does a mini rose explosion against the monitor during the song.  His first attempt at getting someone from the audience to sing and there is no sound from the 2nd mic.  So Rick talks about Matty, the sound guy, comparing him to My Little Pony - along with a shot of MLP on the background screen - because of the multiple colors in Matty's hair.

Before going out to do Human Touch, he talks about his surgery and asks people not to grab on to the part of his arm underneath his arm band, because that is where the scar/healing is.

He has a new acting role now to add  during the beginning of Love Somebody, he can now add

American Horror Story to the list.  We see the red sparkle guitar for the first time during Love Somebody.

Off to the side of the stage while the Jessie's Girl montage plays, the crowd favorite Jessie's girl is performed as the light up guitar makes another appearance  and then Kristina. 
He then goes to the edge of the stage for a quick autograph of a WCD LP and the show is over.  The two week break since the last show seems to have been good - so much energy -although he never lacks that.  Playin g a few songs without the guitar, having free use of his hands and the full use of the stage has really added a nice new layer to the performance.

Light This Party Up
I've Done Everything For You
I Get ExcitedDown
Affair of the Heart
Roar
Jesus Saves
The Medley
Love is Alright Tonite
Miss Mayem
Wild Thing
Don't Talk to Strangers
Human Touch
Love Somebody
Jessie's Girl
Kristina

3 New Shows Announced

 

December 28, 2017

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Full Band Show
 
February 24, 2018

Belterra Casino Resort & Spa

Florence, Indiana

Full Band Show

 
April 14, 2018

MCC Amphitheater - Magic City Casino

Miami, Florida

Full Band Show 

Photo by Lisa Klann

Rick's American Horror Story Debut



 Rick made his debut appearance on the FX network's American Horror Story: Cult on October 24, 2017. It was a much anticipated episode by Rick's fans after he started announcing during his shows that he would be on this season. The only notice fans had was shortly before the show aired on the east coast. Rick posted "I suggest you watch American Horror Story tonight. Just sayin..." on his social media pages, leaving his dedicated fans scrabbling to set their DVRs.

The Judgement House, led by Pastor Charles (Rick), turns out to be a torture house where Pastor Charles keeps three victims he has kidnapped and is torturing to death in what he believes is appropriate punishment for their perceived sins.

The show contains very strong language and mature content. It is definitely not for the faint of heart.

These are a few reactions from US: 

I only watched up until he was killed, but he was amazing in that role. He knows how to deliver the creep factor.  ~Sherri H

I loved it. Already watched the show anyway this just made it better. Rick was super creepy and was super impressed with it. Would love to see AHS JUDGEMENT HOUSE to see how Pastor Charles got so crazy   ~Terry B

I have been a loyal AHS watcher for all of the seasons, having first gotten into it mid-way through Asylum. I really am enjoying most of what this season has to offer, especially the creepiness and twist factors that have been more prevalent than the most recent seasons. Rick Springfield as Pastor Charles brought the creep to the nth factor tonight. *Shudder* (in a good way) :)  While I may not like all the gore in the series, this was another great twist and I could truly see the next installment as AHS Judgment House, and they could explore Pastor Charles and his past and what brought him to that point in more depth. And if they brought back Jessica Lange to the series to look into that alongside him, that'd be even better!   ~Allycen F 

Creepy goodness!!!  ~Monique K

Love the depth of his acting and amazed how creepy he was! Ha!  ~Paula E

He did such a sinisterly fine acting job that I actually forgot he was "Rick" & that is hard for me to do . He completely embodied the character and I couldn't look away . Captivating , I believe he deserves an Emmy nomination.  ~Dawn M

 

He was creepier in this one than in his Lucifer and Dr. Wacko roles put together!  ~Lisa H

His performance was stellar!! Outstanding! Loved the accent, really convincing. Too bad he died   ~Denise K

 

 

 

New Shows Announced

Two new Full Band Shows have been added to Rick's tour:

November 4, 2017
WMMO Downtown Concert Series 
Orlando, Florida
Full Band Show
FREE Concert - VIP Tickets Available to Purchase



February 23, 2018
Four Winds Casino - Silver Creek Event Center 
New Buffalo, Michigan
Full Band Show




Photo by Michelle Porchia

Verona, NY Show Review

Turning Stone Casino
October 1, 2017
Review by Mufi Hayes

It had been over a year since I was able to attend a full band show of Rick Springfield's.  There are advantages to that. New set list. Heart has grown fonder aching for a full band show and all the fun it is. The fun? Getting away for a girls' weekend. Me time. Getting to know local friends a little more. Seeing faraway friends I have not seen in forever. Getting their human touch all.

My inner 18 year old (the age I was first smitten by his voice on AM radio and then the images on TV and in magazines) vibrates. I made a few bracelets for him just in case I had the serendipity of running into him. I have done that before. Quick, here you go. He smiles. I might get a hug. That didn't happen. Here is what did. All at the show:

I was fortunate to have a front row center ticket thanks to the good graces of friends. You ladies rock!  You know who you are! The first time I was at Turning Stone in April of 2005, the concert was in the showroom with the tables. Interesting some years a back. Remember him crown surfing walking on those tables. This time it was in the event center. Very nice set up with stage high but not too high to kill the neck. Security at first would not let us stand up at the stage! I talked to them as did others, they told us it was band rules. I said never mind the band’s contract riders, look at Rick and sign language him. He did motion it was OK. We were then right up there after a few songs. Behaving for the most part. I always behave. No grabbing. Yes, there were some who were too raucous I heard after. I only saw two. The people around me were cool for the most part and not pushy. My thing is to get some photos on my phone and then put it away and enjoy the show. Eye contact. Watching those around me. Totally in the moment. Yes, I had props this time. The bracelets? He came and was by me a few times. I showed him I had them. At one point, he sat down on the low speaker thing in front of me and put his hand down so I could put them on him. Still letting that sink in. He let me put them on him. Oh, human touch! Yes, after all these years I still get all "squeeeee!" inside while staying calm with a silly grin on my inner 18 year old face shining out. I put them on carefully but quickly. Oh yes, he came out with the sling on. That got shed early. As did the sport coat (very natty sport coat, Rick. Like it!). I liked he had a button shirt on. Not a tee. I love it when he gets new to me clothing. He worked that stage. Back and forth giving those up front attention as well as the rest of the entire hall. You just know he is soaking it all in. I swear he absorbs energy from it all. I thought he might be antsy without a guitar. But it's obvious he is working it, doing it well without one and not awkwardly. Someone to my left had a blow up party store guitar and gave it to him at one point. He "played" it. Handed it back to the giver. Roses? Of course! A few had been put on the stage before the show by set up crew. Nothing was sacred from his aim with those rose explosions! I did enjoy getting showered with petals a few times and had a few shreds in my hair friends were kind to try to remove. I left them in. Inner 18 year old. I also gathered up some petals to add to a vase of them I have at home. Since 2002 EFX show. 
 
Now, you know a new album is in the works, The Snake King. It's Halloween in the stores.....you know all those skeleton figurines? Never saw a snake one before last week. You know I bought that sucker just in case. Put a snake skin patterned bow on it. After a few songs and he says: “...have a new album coming out.” Slowly put the snake skeleton on that low stage speaker cabinet in front of me. He took it. Said something about us guys being ahead of the curve and it really is not about a snake, but a character.

The music mix was great (as if Matty would ever disappoint in that regard working the soundboard). George N is something to watch on guitar and more than stepped up with guitar parts as Rick was not playing. Jorge has his own patented drumming style for sure and is just so much fun to watch. Siggy on bass. His energy, I want it bottled and shared. Tim on keyboards is solid. Just solid. (Yes, you know I miss Derek). No buts, Tim is first class pro in his own right. This time, I did not really look at the back screen. Being that close it was all about the people on stage and around me. There was a boy with headphones on (go mom! protecting his ears!) who was sort of pacing behind us. Just in motion the way boys can be. His mom and grandmother trailed him and would correct his course when it was going to go into others. They kept him corralled without tying him down. Rick did have him up on stage for Don't Talk to Strangers. Kid rocked it. Anyone get that on video? His mom was overjoyed. I grabbed her from behind me and put her up to the stage so she could get better pics or video of her son, whatever she was doing with her phone. She talked to me afterwards. She said it was a miracle her son even got up on the stage let alone get into it. That it was a really huge breakthrough for him. I bring this up because it is yet another little story showing that everyone has a story. Things are rarely what they seem to be on the surface at first glance. Glad for her I grabbed her. I got another hug from a cool human being out of it. So....he at some point does Human Touch! Woot! I have this thing about the stuffies claw machine at my local Kmart. I nail that thing every other time. There was a little rust colored monkey. You know that came to the show, too. He's just to my left when he starts Human Touch. I quietly hold the monkey up. He looks, then decides to take it. *grin* Hugged it. Sang the “monkey on her back” lyric and tossed it back to me. I immediately gave it to the boy who got up on stage earlier. Asked him if he'd like it. Asked his mom at same time if it was OK. I don't need it. I have my cherished RS stuff. It is so much fun to pay it forward! He liked it and now has a cool memento of that show. Really charming boy actually in his own way. Rick did go through crowd for Human Touch, too. I did get a hand touch. As he had mentioned about his right arm surgery at the beginning, and why he could not play guitar yet. I think people were for the most part careful of that arm. He had his left hand out for side 5's as he walked along. A security guy was in front of me and Rick, stopped at him, stared him down until the guy high 5'd him. LOL!

I wrote up to here Tuesday morning. Real life at work. The after-show glow is different this time. Because of Sunday at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas - It is possible to compartmentalize. Grab onto the good times, the positive while simultaneously taking stone cold sober hold of other realities and dealing with it. You can light this party up in the moment. To re-energize to be stone cold sober for the realities of this planet. He did play a song from SDAA (my personal favorite album). "Jesus Saves." I will just leave that there.

I love the screen backdrop with various video accompaniment for each song. The lights from that add an energy. My summary? Not a show to be missed if you can help it. Lighting the party up for me with a show like this fills me up for real life! Woot!

This was the set list: (Thanks Darla!)

Light This Party Up (excellent way to launch full speed into his show!)
IDEFY 
IGE  (I…..do not miss having folks on stage.  Means more time in show for more songs!)
Down
Affair of the Heart
Jesus Saves
Alyson
Roar
Bop Til You Drop
Love Is Alright Tonight
Our Ship’s Sinking
That One
DTTS
Human Touch (was amazed he braved the audience surfing with the arm still healing.)
Love Somebody
Jessie’s Girl
Kristina

Photos by Darla Gerken

 

Review of Atlantic City Concert

Atlantic City Full Band Show
September 23, 2017
Review by Lisa Howell

I know this is a little late…but better late than never!

I bought my tickets for the show in April, so this was a highly anticipated concert!  Of course, Rick didn't disappoint…even without his guitar!  I'll admit I was a little disappointed to hear that Rick wouldn't be playing the guitar for this show and I thought he would look and feel awkward without it.  Boy, was I wrong!  I actually liked that he didn't have a guitar in front of him all night.  I think it allowed him to have more interaction with his fans.  Don't get me wrong, I love Rick's guitar playing, but I did like him without it for this particular concert.

The first time I saw Rick in concert was May 21, 1982 when I was 14. It was also my very first rock concert....and my first unchaperoned date.  It was a BIG night for me and turned out to be the most exciting night of my life up to that point.  The surge of excitement I felt when Rick came on stage along with the thrill of the roaring crowd was like nothing I had ever experienced before.  It's a feeling I'll never forget!

Now, back to the Atlantic City concert......

The minute Rick walked onto the stage, the excitement rushing through me was hard to contain!  I had an awesome front row seat and was thrilled when Rick came over and sat down on the edge of the stage in front of me….TWICE!

He started the concert with “Light This Party Up” and the party was ON!  He did all of the great ‘80s hits, including my favorite (from the 80s) – Alyson.  Actually, he did most of my favorites…including “Our Ship’s Sinking”.  I did miss the guitar on that one - I love watching him play the guitar on that song!  If you haven't seen the YouTube video of it, you should – he totally ROCKS it!  He included a couple songs from my favorite album, shock/denial/anger/acceptance, including “Jesus Saves" and “I'll Make You Happy”.  He DOES make me happy and judging from the audience's energy and excitement, he makes them happy too!  He also did a couple songs from the Rocket Science album – “Down” and “That One”. He said that he had planned to do “Miss Mayhem” but because of his injured arm, he substituted it for another song from the album.

It was Siggy’s (bass player) birthday, so of course, we sang Happy Birthday to him.  Rick loves singing Happy Birthday!  And speaking of birthdays, Rick recently celebrated his 68^th birthday, but even 30+ years later, the electrifying energy is still ALIVE and well!

Since Rick wasn't playing the guitar, I didn't expect there to be rose explosions.  Oh, there were rose explosions - on speakers, guitars, the mic stand and even the drums - sending Jorge running for cover a few times!

The highlight of the show was "Don't Talk To Strangers" when Rick brings the kids on stage to sing and dance with him.  Rick recognized one of the kids from a previous Stripped Down Show - four year old Jake.  Jake was wearing a shirt that said, "I've had Jessie's Girl" which everyone, including Rick got a kick out of.  Apparently Jake had scolded Rick at a previous Stripped Down show for "saying bad words" which I won't repeat.  I believe there is a video on YouTube (I love YouTube!)  Jake has to be the cutest kid I've ever seen!  After Jake "stole the show", Rick says he wants to take him on the road and after some dancing - and the kid has some moves too - Rick jokingly boots Jake off stage, with a standing ovation from the crowd.

Rick later mentioned that he will be on the upcoming season of the FX channel TV series “American Horror Story” and that he'll also continue his role as Lucifer on the CW channel TV series “Supernatural” this season.  When does this man sleep? Lol

He finished the night with “Kristina” and “Jessie’s Girl”.

This was hands down the BEST concert I've ever been to!  And unlike my 1982 concert, I didn't spend the next two weeks crying myself to sleep every night because I couldn't be his girlfriend! (True story)

As usual, he left me wanting MORE, so I can't wait to see his Annapolis show in December!

Photo of Jake and Rick by Denise Bozarth    (used with the permission of Jake's parents)

New Tour Date in Indiana

New date added to Rick's 2018 touring schedule:

Blue Gate Theater

Shipshewana Event Center

Shipshewana, Indiana

May 19, 2018

Solo Stripped Down Show

Photo by Renata Hearn