40 years.
That’s a long time. Or at least to me, it is.
Yesterday, 40 years ago, “Jessie’s Girl,” the song I’ve heard the most in my life, or I’m pretty sure I have, hit number one.
This is the song that helped me that summer way back in 1981.
The summer of 1981
Right after school was out my sixth grade year, my family and I packed up our whole house and moved an hour away from the town where I was born. I had to leave my good friends behind and start over again, and I wasn’t happy about that fact.
But what did make me happy?
Sitting in the backseat of our Buick Century, I heard “Jessie’s Girl” on the radio as we headed south on Highway 31. At that time, I didn’t know much about the singer, Rick Springfield, or the story behind the song. I only knew it was quickly becoming one of my favorite songs and could put a smile on my face.
Once we were moved into our new house, I started buying those silly teen magazines, you know the ones—16 Magazine, Teen Beat.
That same summer, I started watching General Hospital and fell for Dr. Noah Drake. Sure, I knew he was an actor on television, but he was so good-looking, not to mention the show itself was high in the ratings. I think everyone was watching it because of the Luke and Laura storyline.
“Jessie’s Girl” and more
One day, I was sitting in my room and listening to Working Class Dog, the album with “Jessie’s Girl” on it. I was glancing through the magazines I had already read and stumbled across a short article about Rick.
My a-ha moment.
Rick was Noah on GH. Why hadn’t I made that connection before?
I didn’t know, and at that point, I didn’t even care.
All I knew was the hottest doctor on one of my new favorite shows sang my favorite song.
40 years later
Rick toured for a few years back in the 1980s, but sadly, I never got to see him. I could only hope that one day I could. However, he disappeared for a few years after his first son was born. He was also dealing with his depression.
I was sad for him because of his situation. At the same time, I was sad for me because I thought I might never see him in concert.
But I did.
In 1998, Rick did a concert in Decatur, Illinois, and that developed into even more concerts—one that I finally got to see him.
I remember that concert at Piere’s in Fort Wayne like it was yesterday.
A good friend of mine had gone with me, and we stood in line outside the venue waiting to get in for the general admission “seats”. I use the term “seats” loosely because there were no seats. We stood waiting for the concert to begin.
My heart pounded so hard when Rick finally came onstage. I was standing so close to him. The man, who I admired on GH and who sang one of my favorite songs of all time, stood 15 feet away belting out songs I had heard over and over again for close to 20 years.
For the last 40 years, I’ve been a devoted fan of his. I’ve seen him a total of 10 times now, and every show is different.
While some fans go crazy buying him gifts and going backstage, I’m content just seeing him perform on stage and hoping I’m sitting in a seat where he might give me the “human touch.”
After one concert, I did get the brief chance to meet Rick backstage, courtesy of his fan club, which no longer exists. The photo you see with the title is from that encounter.
Final thoughts
Back in 1981, or 40 years ago, I never thought a song as simple as “Jessie’s Girl” would change my life. It got me through not only that move, but the move between my sophomore and junior years in high school as well.
Being a fan of Rick’s isn’t just about him as a person. It’s about the songs he sings and how I can relate to what he’s singing.
And personally, I don’t know what I would have done without his songs all these years.
If you’re a fellow Rick fan, share what makes him special to you in the comments and/or go check out the short memoir I wrote.