Back in 1981, I discovered Rick Springfield. I loved his song, “Jessie’s Girl,” which hit number one in August that year.
About the time that song hit the top of the charts, I figured out he was Dr. Noah Drake on on the soap opera, General Hospital. That soap opera help him push his music into the spotlight. It was number one that summer because of the Luke and Laura story.
It was that summer that I fell in love with Rick Springfield. He played a good looking surgeon on the soap opera. He romanced a couple of the nurses and another woman who wasn’t a nurse. Unfortunately, he left the show at the beginning of 1983.
But seeing him on GH wasn’t the only thing about him I loved. What made me fall in love with Rick Springfield?
1. Seeing him in concert
While I didn’t see Rick Springfield perform in concert back in the 1980s, I did finally get to see him when he started touring again in 1999. I saw him at a little bar called Piere’s in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
And since that time, I’ve seen Rick seven more times. I even met him after a show in downtown Indianapolis in July 1999. I got his autograph on a couple of things and took some great pictures.
I haven’t been able to be that close to him since, but I hope someday soon I will get a closer seat to the stage.
2. Cares about his fans
When Rick toured in the 1980s, he didn’t go out into the crowd. The girls were too crazy. But now he does. He usually does this during the song, “Human Touch.”
I can tell how much Rick cares about his fans. The fan base have lost a few to various things. I haven’t been there when Rick talks about the deaths at his concerts, but I can tell from other fans’ comments that he cares.
For instance, one little girl named Sahara had cancer and died at the age of seven or eight I believe it was. Rick wrote a song called “Saint Sahara,” which is on Venus in Overdrive.
When 911 happened, we lost a fan in a second tower that day. Other fans mentioned how Rick sang Marni’s favorite song, “Love Somebody” at concerts after that.
These two examples show how much Rick cares about his fans. I’m sure there are many more stories to share.
3. Suffers from depression
Rick has dealt with depression all of his life. I can relate to this because I too have dealt with it off and on for most of my life.
In his autobiography, Late Late at Night, Rick calls depression Mr. D. Rick was so depressed at one point at the age of 17 he tried to commit suicide by hanging himself in the basement of his family’s house. Back in the 1980s, he took time off from touring to deal with his depression.
4. Writes books
Rick not only writes songs, but he writes books. He has written his autobiography called Late Late at Night as well as a fiction book called Magnificent Vibration.
Of course, I love the fact that he has written books. I am a published writer myself so the fact that my favorite rock star is a writer is pretty awesome.
5. Loves dogs
For the cover of his album, Working Class Dog, Rick used his dog Ron as the picture. Since then Rick has had other dogs in his life.
I am a dog lover myself. I grew up with a poodle. My family had a black lab when I was married, but unfortunately, we had to get rid of him when I filed for divorce. Now I have two dogs, and I love them dearly.
6. Writes songs I can relate to
Whenever I am down or I feel the need, Rick’s music is always something I listen to. He inspires me, and he motivates me. His songs are all something that I can usually relate to in one way or another.
When I had a miscarriage between my two children, I’ll never forget listening to his album, Karma, on the 45-minute drive home as tears streamed down my face. It was the only thing that got me through that horrible situation.
When I was having a bad time at the start of my divorce, Rick’s music was on my stereo constantly. Even if I couldn’t relate to the songs, his music always makes me feel better.
7. Still rocks all of these years later
You would never know that Rick turned 67 years old this year. And he still rocks not only at is full band concerts but as his solo gig touring.
He has the energy of a 30-year-old at times. Most people, who don’t follow him, don’t believe me when I say he’s as old as he is. But the fact that he can still rock like the younger rock stars out there is good enough for me.
8. Loves his family
Like me, I can tell how much Rick loves his family. And in his autobiography, we learn about things that happened during his touring years. I give his wife kudos for sticking by him through thick and thin and gave him two handsome boys.
9. Never gave up on career
Again if you’re not a fan, you may not realize that Rick tried and tried to get his music career off the ground back in the 1970s. His first album in 1972 called Beginnings did fairly well.
However, his next two albums didn’t do as well. In fact, his third album called Wait for Night didn’t even get released because the record company closed up overnight. It wasn’t until 1981 when “Jessie’s Girl” hit it big that Rick finally succeeded as a singer.
My motto this year has been “I am determined.” Like Rick, I am not giving up on my dream to be at least a part-time writer by the end of the year, but my ultimate dream is to be a full-time writer. I’m not giving up on this dream.
10. Is good looking
Of course, I can’t walk away without saying how good looking Rick is. I know he doesn’t want to be famous because of his looks. He never wanted to be on the teen magazines and be compared to such people as David Cassidy. He didn’t want to be known as a pretty boy.
But you can’t help and notice the smile on his face. His smile melts my heart.