Flashback Friday

Go-Set November 20, 1971
"I'm Two Different People"

When I think back on the few occasions I've met Rick Springfield at the occasional pop reception or party, I've never seen him speak more than a few words.
With Speak to the Sky raising a storm on the charts and a contract with America's Capitol Records, Rick has a lot happening. However, the thought of interviewing him seemed a tough one: I imagined that getting a few words out of him would be like pulling a wisdom tooth.
Luckily, that wasn't the case. Rick readily admists that he's shy, but he can talk intelligently and enthusiastically on any subject.
He's one of the few people in business who seems genuinely unaffected by the several scenes he has been trhough. At 22 he has had a very chequered past and probably has an even more exciting future ahead. "I first became interested in music by miming Shadows records, using a tennis racquet as a guitar", he says. (continued)

Rick Springfield in Melbourne

Rick Springfield
Countdown Spectacular 2
Melbourne, Australia
Rod Laver Arena
8/30/07
By Rebecca Cruchley

After waiting for months, it was Melbourne's turn for the Countdown Extravaganza and what a show it was!!! Joining me and my Rick mates Michelle, Tracie and Caralyn (plus two partners) who came from all parts of Australia, we made our way to the 2nd row with personalised SDAA tshirts, roses and signs. We were told on the night that the Melbourne concert was the only concert that was going to be taped for the DVD special, so there were heaps of cameras and felt that we had to be on our best behaviour, but being loyal Rick fans that wasn't to be once Rick came on!! LOL!!! The concert was hosted by the efferversent Mr Ian "Molly" Meldrum who also originally hosted the Countdown tv shows back in the 1970's and 80's. But as much as all the performers were really, really good it was a very long three hours to wait for Rick!!! LOL!!! Finally .... Rick comes on after a very glowing introduction from Molly and he starts off with "Affair of the Heart". We go wild and he immediately sees us and smiles and then I can't take it anymore and lucky I know the people in front of me in row 1 who lets us through and we head to the stage. He then sings "Don't Talk to Strangers" and keeps looking down at us and by this stage heaps of people have done the same thing and crowds the stage. Rick goes off and is so enjoying himself (likewise) he then sings "Speak to the Sky". I look out into the crowd and everyone is on their feet dancing away, not a single person is sitting which is absolutely brilliant. Of course the finale song is "Jessie's Girl" and the place errupts but I was surprised to see that Rick stayed only in the centre part of the stage the whole time. He eventually did give the microphone to a few people to yell out JG and he did go out to the front of the stage for a few minutes but quickly went back on stage to finish the song. I think the stage was not equipped for Rick on the night to go "wandering" like he normally does with DTTS so he was confined to the stage. Rick comes back onto the stage for the finale of Countdown with the other performers to do "My Generation" but Rick keeps a low profile playing guitar towards the back near Rodger on the drums. All in all, it was a magical night and it was so surreal to see Rick back in Melbourne.

How Good Is Rick Springfield?
by Paul Cashmere - August 31 2007
photo by Ros O'Gorman
Believe it or not, Rick Springfield's current Australian tour as a part of Countdown Spectacular 2 is the very first time the pop star/actor has toured his native Australia and guess what … he was fantastic.
Springfield was the headline act for Countdown Spectacular 2 and gave the audience a rock show complete with a smashing guitar and decapitated roses.
The real surprise was how powerful the performance was, leading to many a question today about when and if he will ever do his own shows in his own country.
Springfield opened with a tsunami charged version of 'Affair of the Heart', went into 'Don't Talk To Strangers', performed his 1971 solo hit 'Speak To The Sky' and finished with the signature song 'Jessie's Girl'.
For Springfield fans in his adopted USA, he finally performed a song on his soap opera General Hospital. Rick played two characters in the show last week, Eli Love, Rock Star and his regular Dr. Noah Drake.
In the show, Eli is told he will never perform again. Dr Drake steps in and pretended to be Drake so that the concert could go ahead.
Eli/Noah performed 'Who Killed Rock 'n' Roll' in the show. The song will feature on Rick's next album, due in 2008.
original article source: http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=2740

TV Listings for Rick Springfield

I'm sure there is withdrawal going on after all the screen time that Rick got on GH so here are a few things to get you through it.

13 Going on 30

Fox Friday, Aug 31st 8pm est

Teen comedy in the "Big" vein, with geeky Jenna waking up the day after her 13th birthday as a 30-year-old and discovering her life is not what she'd expected. Stars Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Kathy Baker.

While Rick does not act in this movie, the main charater, Jenna has a huge crush on him and the Jessie's Girl video and song is featured in this move. (if you buy the dvd, the Jessie's Girl video is included in the extras)

Dying to Dance

Directed by Mark Haber. Starring Kimberly McCullough, Mary-Margaret Humes, Rick Springfield, Natalija Nogulich, Les Porter, Mimi Kuzyk.

Anorexia afflicts an ambitious teenage ballerina who's overwhelmed by competitive stress and parental pressure. Romantic discord adds a further complication. 107 minutes- NR, USA, 2001,

Sun Sep 2 09:18A on Lifetime Movie Network

Biography-Linda Blair

A profile of Linda Blair, best known for her role in the thriller “The Exorcist.” Among those commenting: William Friedkin; Rick Springfield. 60 minutes- TV-G, USA, 2003, (CC)

Tue Sep 4 09:00A on Biography Channel
Tue Sep 4 03:00P on Biography Channel

Wed Sep 5 04:00A on Biography Channel

Rick Springfield ROCKS Port Charles!

Talk about going out with a bang! OK, the vocals are still out, Noah looks back stage where Eli is in his wheelchair with head set ready to go. You can see Matt & Derek in the background. Patrick runs over to the crew. "Whats the problem?" "Audio glitch" "Fix it!" He goes back to Robin freaking out that his father is out there on stage alone. Everyone is going to find out he is a sham he is sure. The band starts tuning up (Kudos to GH for giving Rick REAL band some screen time and several closeups!) and Anna runs out on stage to save the day. "I know your all super anxious to see the fabulous Eli Love, but your going to have to wait a tad longer because I'm not through with him yet" and pulls him into a kiss. Eli smiles at them from the stage side. Robin wants to know why her mother is kissing Noah on stage. "She's vamping, she's actually quite good at it" Patrick explains, impressed. The long wet kiss, wait, that's they lyrics to the song. LOL The kiss ends and Anna realizes they need more time. So she starts to thank "The man of the hour" for donating his time & talent to LIFEBeat. She then explains that she is the mother of a daughter living with HIV (near tears). She talks about HIV, education and prevention for a few minutes. This journey were all on she says is gonna end in a cure! With that Noah hugs her and we see an impressed Eli clapping from the side.

Show time

The crew tells Patrick & Eli "The mike's on people!" and Eli gives Noah & Anna the sign its a go. Anna tells Noah "It's now or never". Eli checks the head set, gives the band the signal and we are off! "Who killed Rock & Roll" full force. I don't really think I can do this justice but I will try. lol It was pure Rick on that stage. Patrick, Robin, Anna, Epiphany and Eli are all on stage side rocking out. All totally enjoying it. We flash a few times to Eli singing in the head set but the music is totally coming from the mike Noah is singing into no doubt. We pretty much get the full song, minus a few choruses of WKRR. The band even got several well deserved close ups throughout. I have to say it was like seeing Rick live! He even gave someone the "eyes" as Rick is known to do to someone in the front row. Signature moves were aplenty. Eli from the sidelines looked like he was really enjoying it too. Oh go watch the video clip! LOL ELI ELI ELI was the response when he was done! "Thank you Port Charles, good night" No, thank you Rick, for a great month of GH!

The high

Noah leave a chanting crowd and grabs Anna for another kiss as they head back stage to see the waiting group. Noah asks Eli what he thought "You were great, your moves were almost as good as mine, almost (with a laugh)" Noah: "Well, I'll take that as high praise from Cesar!" Patrick & Robin are both impressed as well and let Noah know. Eli continues "A lot of people weren't disappointed who were counting on me, if you ever need anything all you have to do is shout out ok?" Noah "I will".

More bonding

Patrick & Noah share a moment alone and Patrick asks him "So how does it feel?" "Oh man, it's so much higher than alcohol ever made me feel. I take back every criticism I ever said about Eli Love & his music" an elated Noah says. Patrick says it probably isn't going to end soon. Noah says he doesn't want to come down, as a matter of fact, he is going to call Eli and tell him if he ever needs him to stand in for him he up for it and goes off to call him. He leaves Patrick with that familiar look of concern.

The sweet goodbye

Back on an empty stage, crowd gone, Patrick, Robin and Anna gather. Noah doesn't want the night to end. They hear a helicopter and Noah thinks its Eli's being sent for him, no such luck. It's for Anna. She just got a call for an assignment to London. Time to say goodbye. She hugs "handsome" (Patrick) and tells him to take care of her little girl, looks at Robin and then turns to Noah, looking sweetly at him. A sweet goodbye kiss follows. He's not saying goodbye. "We don't say goodbye in the music business" "What do we say?" asks Anna. "I don't know, I tell you next time" (could we see them together again someday??) "You be good" she says as she looks at him longingly and turns and walks off with Robin for a private goodbye. Left with Patrick, Patrick says that was some kiss, you just keep surprising me. "Well, I learned a lot walking in Eli Loves shoes this last couple of weeks" Noah explains. "Such as?" Patrick asks him. "Take your life off hold, find your dream and hold onto it. Live life Eli Love style" Noah says. "Ah, groupies & rap sheets" Patrick teases. "Whatever goes with it" a smiling, laughing happy Noah says and he hugs his son!

If ever there was a day to call the GH comment line, today is it!

323-671-4583

818-460-7477

General Hospital - Who Killed Rock N' Roll

Direct Link to YouTube

Flashback Friday

Rick Springfield - Hide in His Suitcase
Imagine the surprised look on Rick Springfield's adorable Aussie face when - off on an exciting rendezvous in the fabulous European cities of London, Paris and Madrid - he opens up his suitcase and out pops YOU! Sound incredible? Well, read on, li'l world traveler and find out just what it could be like!

London
It's 8:30 am and Rick's plane is just landing at London's huge Heathrow Airport. Through customs and into the city you go - with Rick for a guide! It's going to be an unforgettable trip! First, you're off to see Buckingham Palace, where the Queen of England lives. there's a beautiful little park across the street where Rick and you eat a picnic lunch. Rick ten whisks you away to see the Changing of the Guard, the House of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London and Mme. Tussaud's Was Museum! And of course, you couldn't leave London without a few trips to the famous London theatre in the evenings. It's all so exciting - Rick spends a few days taping an English rock 'n roll TV show and you sit in and watch. Much as Rick loves London and the hectic pace of this city, he decides that your next destination should be.......
continued.....