2009 Rick Springfield & Friends Cruise Day two-Part 1

The Second Annual Rick Springfield & Friends Cruise
Carnival Ship Destiny
Day Two Friday Nov 13th 2009-Part 1
Review & Pictures by Rosie Malthaner

We had a little leisure time Friday morning before our events for the day would start. First up.....

Rick Springfield & Richard Marx Unplugged
Palladium Lounge

Hosted by Mark Goodman Rick & Richard each performed a few songs and answered questions submitted before the cruise.

Mark once again welcomed us and asked how we liked Movie Night, a round of applause for that. He promised a great day of music ahead. Then he introduced Rick & Richard but before we would get started there would be some give aways. The prizes included a SDAA nit cap, one of a kind. A Japanese school jacked that Rick bought in Japan, Mark insisted it hadn't been dry cleaned but Rick assured us it was. A neckless from the VIO days. And last but not least the GH tag that Rick wore on The Ellen show for Halloween where he dressed as Dr Drake. He admitted he stole the tag! He joked you could get into hospitals wearing it and even perform brain surgery. And he even commented he better not see it on Ebay.

Rick introduced his good friend, Richard. Rick told us how they had just rehearsed some of Richard's set and hoped everyone would stick around for it. It would be amazing he promised. Mark had walked off stage for a minute and Rick was momentary confused as to what they were going to do but Richard set him straight! Since Rick was the host he should go first Richard assured him. Rick launched into Speak to the Sky. Rick commented that would be the comedy song. Richard said playing with Rick Springfield and his band spells fun and Rick reminded him that we all had a "fun pass".

Richard was unsure what to do first since we would be hearing most of his major hits later in the day but he said he would do something a little different with them. Endless Summer acoustically was great! Richard was very happy that the audience sang the chorus back to him. Rockin isn't it? Rick reminded.

Mark had to remind them it was a Q&A not T&A! Richard remarked he doesn't do comedy. But today would prove otherwise. Richard commented that it was the "Dick squared cruise". "Hey what did you do last week? Go on a cruise with a couple of Dicks" They would play off of this for the rest of the cruise. Mark asked if Richard was "Dick 1 or Dick 2?" Richard chose 2 as he is younger. He decided that made him "Little Dick" and Rick realized it make him "Big..... I don't think so he said, you saw me in red underwear, you make the decision"

Mark moved on to business after that and reminded us that it would be questions already submitted that would be asked and when they called your name to stand up. The first question was for Richard-Which comes first the music or the lyrics and explain why. Richard joked that he doesn't write any of his songs. All of his songs and may of Ricks are written by Regis Philbin and Rick added Diane Warren. Seriously Richard said its the music 99% of the time and proceeded to play Endless Summer Nights and mumbled the lyrics as an example.

Next questions for Rick-Do all songs have a real life basis? "No I just make it up" Seriously yes and he told the Jessie's Girl story about how and why he misspelled Jessie's Girl. His wife was wearing the original jersey with the name on it that day. He joked a bit more but then answered the question that yes they are all real life based. All songs are really written from a dark perspective. SDAA was probably the darkest record he had ever written. Ordinary Girl was about his wife, you remember the ordinary stuff. Rick and Richard commented on how Gary's Girl didn't sing so well. Mark tried to go onto another question but Richard reminded them that Rick was going to play Ordinary Girl. Its the simple and silly things that make up the song. Richard commented that many of the stupid things he has done are things his wife would like to forget.

Question to Richard aka Little Dick-How did working with Jason from Lifehouse and Chris Daughtry go? Richard talked about working with Chad from Nickleback in Canada and Rick and Richard went off making a bit of fun of Canada, in a good natured way. Richard talked about how he went to Canada to work with Lifehouse to work on songs. And there is a new album coming out soon. He then sang a bit of the new song, Everytime may be the title but I am not sure. He had a great time and hoped to do it again. A Rick commented there would be a song in Richards set later that he had written with another Aussie. Mark followed up with a question for both of them asking how its to work with someone else, its kinda like dropping your draws, is it an uncomfortable thing? Rick-Its a little embarrassing, he doesn't work much with others, insecurities. VIO with Matt was amazing and it clicked. Richard works mostly alone-co writes with other artists for their albums. You need to turn the ego off. Rick says its the most terrible and most wonderful. Richard is just afraid of sucking.

Question to Rick-Who is Allyson? Richard commented this is one of his favorite RS songs. Rick went on to explain she was a famous Aussie singer and her husband was the producer of Zoot and he met her when he was 21. A guilty pleasure. And he is really sorry he didn't change her name. He usually changes the names and it was very public in Australia. Living in Oz is all about dealing with fame. Richard & Rick went on to play the chorus of Allyson.

Question to Richard-What is behind the name of Angelea? It was written as a piece of music on his first big tour in the late 80's (show off RS said to RM) all I had was the music and I knew it was a sad song about a girl that left me. I wanted a girls name, he hadn't written a song with a name. Everyone had done it! He was in a plane flying to TX somewhere and the flight attendant came up to him and her name tag said Angelia. He thought it was a great name. She doesn't know its about her. Richard joked she tried to sue him and Rick commented that Victoria Secret tried to sue him. Richard wanted to know what happened. Someone from the record company took it to them and they said no, we are not using it for a commercial and we may sue him! Nothing came of it. And that lead to the Kristina story. The song that Jim Vallence started writing. He wrote it as Jamaica first. Rick took it and made it into Kristina. And then he played part of it. When Jim Vallence heard it he said it was a life changing thing for him to see what Rick did with it. That led to a discussion of Areosmith as Jim has written for them and they talked about the impending break up.

Have they every written together? Yes! Wildlife-reggae vibe. When they first met. Just because they are decent songwriters doesn't mean they will write good together they joked. Richard went to Rick's house and Richard thought his park sucked. They joked how bad it sucks. They really need to write again they agreed. That led to a chorus of "two dicks at sea...." started by Rick, RM had a hard time coming up with a second verse so off to the next question.

What was the most difficult song to write? (To both of them) Rick-Simple, My Fathers Chair. It took him 3 years to write it and when he sat down he wrote it in like 2 hours. For Richard it was also about his dad. He wrote some music and new it needed to be about his dad. It was written about a year ago. He talked about losing someone and finding a place for loss. He also talked about writing with Luther Vandross and how incredible it was. The last song he wrote before his stroke was Dance with My Father.

Rick talked about Mad Cow, a DJ in Chicago. Richard really doesn't like him! Rick said he was a friend of his and Richard commented he was sad for him. Richard told him he would be his friend, he can replace Mad Cow with him. Richard joked that their passes that said RS and Friend were misprinted and he was really the "friend" not Doug Davidson! Doug is telling everyone its him. Richard is his friend and Doug is out after 30, he is so done with him. How cute is Doug really he asked us? Rick then played My Fathers Chair.

Question for Richard-For Better or Worse was a favorite, what do the lyrics really mean?
Richard commented he doesn't like to say what songs are really about. He really likes it when people interpret his songs differently. He loves when they miss interpret his songs. Rick commented they sometimes come up with better lyrics. He has written songs about his beautiful wife of 20 yrs, after 20 yrs he has learned a lot.

Question for Rick-What is Victoria's Secret? If you listen I'm still asking the question. Its about the mystery of women, the "ugh" in women. He then sings a chorus of a song about his wife.

Richard hadn't thought of it until now but he starts to play and sing Love Somebody, second verse sung by Rick, then together. Rick talks about how he wrote LS about Patti Hansen. Keith Richards was worried about Rick during the filming of Hard To Hold. He came to check out the set and all Rick wanted to do was hang with him.

Richard asks who was here last year and plays "I ain't Missing You"Richard commented on how Tina Turner recorded the song too. That launched them into a bunch of famous impressions singing the song. RM-Tina Turner, RS-Willie Nelson, RM-Julio Englasis-RS- his Mom, RM-Paula Abdul. Richard asks Mark for another question at this point. And Mark asks if there are anymore impressions. Richard feels the need to do If you Turn Back Time by Cher. Mark tires to get control back at this point but Richard has one more in him.....

Question for Richard-Have you ever written with or for someone else and wished you had kept it for yourself? Not really, it's for them, kinda like being a surrogate mother Rick adds. Is there one that you gave away that you thought you could have done it better Mark asks? No not really Richard said. They also talked about the upcoming set with Richard and that Rick would be playing keyboards. The talked about how amazing Rick's band is. Rick joked that he wanted his keyboards set up right next to Richards mic which prompted Richard to launch into -"should have known better than to let Rick play for you. Rick-He only knows 2 cords."

Question to Rick-What is the story and will you play Written in Rock. Barbara and he were still dating and not married yet and coming back from Doug's wedding. They had a fight and broke up one the way home for the 15th time. Rick thought it was for good. He has never played it live before, Richard joined in. Richard wants to know if he gets props for knowing the harmony! Loud cheers.

Question for both Richards (both Dicks): Are your children following in your footsteps? Richard has 3 boys, the Marx brothers. Brandon 19, Lucus 17 and Jesse 16. Brandon and Lucus are both into music and love it. Jesse (spelled correctly by the way) has perfect pitch and plays drums, he wants nothing to do with the music business. Rick's boys-Liam is 23 is a comic and actor and amazing musician, has written a one person play. Josh 20 is in college and is into video games, a drummer but not really into the whole music thing.

Rick comments that the only thing he has ever truly been good at is being a dad! Toughest job you will ever love Mark adds. Richard remarks how he was at a benefit performance that his kids were at and afterward he got a text from one of his boys"Your a total bad ass". Rick reminds us that Richard show is coming up next. Mark tells us to stick around! Richard thanks us and on to the next show!

Set list:
RS-Speak To the Sky
RM-Endless Summer
RS-Ordinary Girl
RM-Everytime (Not sure of the correct title on this one) Lifehouse
Both-Chorus of Allyson
RM-Angelea
RS-Kristina
RM-Song about his dad (not sure of the title on this one)
RS-My Fathers Chair
RM-Song about his Wife
Both-Love Somebody
RS-Written In Rock

Upcoming TV Listings For Rick Springfield

Californication
SHOWTIME
Sun Nov 22nd 2009 10pm EST
(double check your local listings at www.tvguide.com)
I believe this may be the last episode of Rick's 4 episode arc.

Episode: Mr Bad Example
Later, Hank gets up close and personal with campus security when a distraught Charlie storms the college in search of cocaine for high-maintenance client Rick Springfield (RICK SPRINGFIELD). Felicia flexes her power to help save Hank from his own bad judgment. Meanwhile, Karen encourages Becca to make amends with Chelsea. As Marcy becomes increasingly infatuated with coke fiend Rick Springfield, Charlie valiantly tries to protect her from a relapse, jeopardizing his agent/client relationship in the process.

Holiday on Ice
NBC
Sun, Nov 29th 4pm est
REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield perform in this holiday-theme skating exhibition. Also performing: Brian Boitano; Jeffrey Buttle; Michael Weiss; Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon; Jozef Sabovcik; Shae Lynn Bourne; Elvis Stojko; Steven Cousins; Caryn Kadavy. Taped Nov. 19 at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Ark.

2009 Rick Springfield & Friends Cruise Day One

The Second Annual Rick Springfield & Friends Cruise
Carnival Ship Destiny
Day One Thurs Nov 12th 2009
Review & Pictures by Rosie Malthaner

The first day or I should say evening on the ship was jam packed with events. Boarding the ship, lunch and checking in for our wristbands that we would need to wear for the duration of the cruise. The first event of the evening would be the Welcome Aboard Concert.

Welcome Aboard Concert
Palladium Lounge

Mark Goodman welcomed us to the second annual cruise and promised it would be the best time ever. Mark said that Movie Night would be must see TV and gave a disclaimer that it was for mature audiences, there would be adult language, sexual situations and nudity which was met with cheers from the crowd. After drawing the winners for the Sunday night front row seats, the show quickly got underway with beachy music leading into Rodgers drum intro.

Rick launched into the standard show starter of Mr PC. There wasn't much talking until after he played part of Sea Cruise and introduced "My Good Men" He mentioned that this year it really was Rick Springfield & friends as they really are his good friends. He went on to joke that Richard was 85, Doug was 12 or 13 and Brandon was the young stud, who he was sure would be his good friend and of course Mark. All the guests met with loud cheers and applause. Little did we know at that time how great they would all get along!

After I've Done Everything, Rick talked about how much they are looking forward to performing WCD in its entirety, in order and for the first time ever. Richard Marx would play with them as well and Rick would play during his set. Jet was introduced as their new single and always rocks the house. Rick decided he was too hot in his grey shirt with black vest and skinny black tie so we were treated to some stripper music and a shirt change. He asked us if we had gotten our luggage yet or the goodie bags, some baggage had been delivered but we hadn't gotten our great goodie bags yet!

Rick told us how hard they all had been working on rehearsing the WCD stuff and were going to give us a sneak preview of a song he had never done live.....Red Hot Blue Love! And they blew us away with it. After DTTS there was a little break and Rick broke out the harmonica and jammed to Love Me do without the vocals. Love Somebody was up next and we all know that means Human Touch will follow. Last year he did not venture into the crowd at all, would he this year? Yes indeed! He made his way through the center losing his balance and falling only once. He also ventured to the sides, climbed a bit and looked as if he was contemplating climbing up to the balcony. He though better, if only he had realized there were stairs on the side!

Back to the stage for Jessie's Girl (which much to my delight we only heard twice the whole trip. LOL) Back out for the encore shirtless!

Set List:
Mr PC
WVS
Affair of the Heart
Living in Oz
Sea Cruise (part of)
Introduction of Guests
IGE
I've Done Everything For You
Jet
Allyson
Stripper music
VIO
I'll Miss That Someday
Red Hot Blue Love
Crossroads
DTTS
Jam session with harmonica (I think it was Love me Do w/ no vocals)
Love Somebody
Human Touch
Jessie's Girl

Encore:
Wild Thing

Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party Lido Deck

After the first show we had a bit of time to go back to our cabins, unpack (if you were lucky enough to have your luggage) and change for the cocktail party and dinner. Then we were on our way to the cocktail hour. A very different experience than last year. This year the weather cooperated and we were able to have it on the lido deck, a little windy and chilly but much better than last year. Frosty free drinks were flowing. This year there was a huge difference as well. Rick and Company were all in attendance. A major change from last year. Rick made his way through the crowd, accompanied by security and took pictures and signed autographs. While he was doing this the other celebrities also took pictures and signed autographs for the fans on one side of the lido deck. I know I took this chance to meet Brandon Barash from General Hospital who was such a sweet guy and looked genuinely happy to greet the fans. They seemed to stay quite a while before being ushered off for dinner.

Movie Night
Palladium Lounge
Rick Springfield, Mark Goodman, Doug Davidson, Brandon Barash

The first thing that was shown on the screen at Movie Night was a MA-Mature Audience Warning, parental discretion advised, nudity, adult language, sexual situations. I hope anyone that had kids on the trip with them was smart enough to put them to bed before this because I know I sure wouldn't want to have to answer the questions that Movie Night would bring. lol.

There were a few trivia questions on the screen, similar to what is shown at movies. Mark introduced Rick, Doug and Brandon and the chemistry between them was immediate. Rick quickly informed everyone no wine, no show! Someone produced a "sippy cup" for Rick since he was spill challenged last year. The next thing to air was a video clip from Gomer and one from Rick's Mom, telling us how sorry she wasn't able to make the trip due to being sick.

Next up was what we were all waiting for and what we would be missing on TV by being on the cruise this weekend. Rick's Californication clips! ALL of them! After viewing the very revealing clips, Brandon commented that he didn't know Rick very long but felt like he had known him his whole life after seeing the clips! Rick's reaction was "Wow" He was asked what it was like to play the part. He responded that it was very freeing playing against type. Doug commented that he needed to change his name to "PrickSpringfield" Its all one word now thanks to Hank on Californication. Doug also joked that Rick gave his mom the flu so that she wouldn't be here to witness all of this! The audience was asked what they thought and it was met with great cheers. Rick commented that as a professional it was very bare bones because he used his real name.

Doug's clips were up next and there was a 31 years with Young & The Restless clip. They all commented how Doug's love screens were quite different from Rick's and it was decided that was the difference between broadcast TV and cable.

Mark Goodman had a few clips up next of MTV and they were all amazed at his hair! Doug asked Mark why they made him wear a helmet on his head? It was his trademark he responded joking. They showed us a clip of Mark talking about Rick's Grammy nomination and went into the clip of his acceptance.

Clips of Wonder Woman and Human Target were also shown. Brandon's scene from GH was one with Claudia after her miscarriage. He commented that he was shot 5 times and 2 days later he was at a wedding. They all realized that they had all been on a soap at one time or another. Mark talked about his cameo on One Life To Live as a DJ.

They showed a Battle Star Galactica clip and Rick talked about how cool it was to have Lorne Greene play his father. He had grown up watching Bonanza. How may of you are old enough to know that show he asked. A Nick Night clip was meet with cheers (this would be playing quite a bit on the Rick Springfield channel the cruise line had provided on tv in our cabins for us!)

Mark had another clip up next from a show he had been in called Parker Lewis Can't Lose. A connection was made between Rick and Mark. Both had acted with the same actress. Rick in Wonder Woman and Mark in Parker Lews.

General Hospital clips from the 80's and today were show next. Brandon commented on the Bobbie clips "So that's what she used to look like!" Rick commented after the Anne, Patrick and Robin clip where he is pretending to be Eli that he isn't a rock star, he is a nuro surgeon. He also said what a great guy that Jason Thompson is.

Doug's Price is Right clips were up and he commented on how he had said that "this is not your fathers Price is Right" and he had to write a letter to Bob Barker apologizing for the comment. Mark's OLTL clips as a DJ were shown and the story of how Jessie's girl made it to #1 was told. As Rick's Legion clip was coming on he decided it would be a good time to run to the bathroom and Doug took full advantage of this to make fun of Rick's acting. Hard to Hold was our last clip of the night.

They guys all seemed to have a great time joking and making fun of each other all in good fun. The chemistry was apparent from the start and it was quite different from last year. They all played off of each other and truly seemed to be enjoying each other. This would be a theme that would carry though out the trip. We were off to a great start! It was then time to finally get some sleep. And we would need it!

Rick Springfield-TV listing update

Updated TV listings for the week of Oct 26-Nov 1st


BIO
Linda Blair-Biography
Mon Oct 26 9am & 3pm est
In honor of Halloween, BIO is airing Linda Blair's biography. Catch Rick talk about his first love.




Syndicated
Fri Oct 30th
Rick Springfield is scheduled to appear on Ellen to discuss his appearances on Californication among other things. Check your local listings on www.tvguide.com

Sunday's
(check your local listings)

SHOWTIME

Californication

Rick's guest appearances continue on Showtimes's highly rated Californication. It looks like his next episode will be Nov 1st but you never know so tune in each week!

New Tour Dates For Rick Springfield

Rickspringfield.com
announced new tour dates today:

March 26, 2010
Harris, MI
Island Resort & Casino

March 27, 2010
Harris, MI
Island Resort & Casino

Rick Springfield in TV Guide

Check out Rick Springfield in the
Oct 26 - Nov 1 issue of TV Guide.

On page 42 Rick discusses his
new role on Californication.

Rick Springfield Rocks Canada!

Rick Springfield
Juice Newton
St. John’s – Oct 14, 2009
Mile One Centre
Review by: Daniel Martin

Whether the dramatic build-up to Rick Springfield’s explosive 90 minute set last night at Mile One Centre was the result of chance or not, it worked perfectly. Minutes before surprising warm-up act Juice Newton & the Regenerators took the stage, a local radio host was up there announcing there was a slight problem. The 2,500 or so in attendance gasped in unison, then uttered a sigh of quasi-relief as the MC advised them not to worry, it was only a minor delay. RickSpringfield had decided that morning to accept an invitation to appear on Oprah – an invitation that, admittedly, no one can decline – and had taken a late flight into the Newfoundland capital. We all knew the weather was too bad for a flight to land at St. John’s airport. So what had happened? Dr. Noah Drake’s flight was re-routed over 3 hours away to Gander. The star of the evening was in a taxi en route to Mile One Centre. We collectively worried about the nasty weather –snow, sleet, high winds – and the ever-present army of moose lurking roadside.

Not to worry we were told, we would be well entertained whilst we waited for the arrival of Rick, torch bearer of the great lost art of the straight-ahead pop rock, that was a force on the charts in the early portion of the 1980’s.

Shortly thereafter, an unrealistically young looking Juice Newton took the stage with her incredibly tight and rock solid, if mainly motionless, band of mostly heavy-set, grey haired dudes. The set opened with a pair of more recent songs that didn’t get the crowd overly enthused but were good nonetheless. Her amazing teal colored DanElectro guitar was eye catching in the early moments. The show really took off minutes later when she performed a 2-ballad medley of “Hurt” and “Break it to Me Gently” that featured shockingly powerful vocals. She still has the voice. The crowd was instantly won over. The momentum waned only slightly over the next 2 or 3 songs but the crowd warmed up to her, thanks in part to her slightly loopy in-between song banter. But at this point one had to wonder if she wouldn’t be better off playing those two big hits everyone came to hear and just getting it over with. Only that’s when she pulled out the unexpected 1-2 punch of “Cheap Love” and “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me”. Well, well, she DOES have other great songs. A fast-paced block of 5 songs followed and featured more jaw-dropping vocals. She totally had the audience in her back pocket by the time she closed out the opening set with “Angel of the Morning” and an inspired, high-energy version of
“Queen of Hearts”. The crowd was on its feet, their anxiety appeased, perhaps willing to wait a bit longer for the main event of the evening.

The MC came out to inform us that the headliner was on his way, safe, but not yet arrived. We were then treated to a brief set from a local cover band. Their name was Blue Eyed Blonde but on this night they were the Gap Fillers. They did a respectable job but this wasn’t their night and as such, the high point of their set was when they announced, “We’ve just been told we have one more song…you know what that means!” Just over 20 minutes after that, the stage was ready and the house lights went down. But Sir Rick was not done creating tension in the room. We stood through an entire song on the PA system and a brief montage of song clips and sound
effects until HE finally took the stage.

Rick Springfield is exactly 60 years old. This fact alone is astonishing as he first appears before our eyes. They guy looks no older than 38. No hair loss, very few wrinkles, and a slim yet buffer physique than in his early 80’s heyday. He’s been hitting the gym pretty hard and if he’s had any work done on his face, the surgeon did a fantastic job. It looks natural. He easily still fits into his old stage attire and no, he hasn’t changed his wardrobe in the least. Untucked button-up shirt with sleeves ripped off, fitted sleeveless leather vest, fitted black trousers and black shoes. Early 80’s rock dude in the house. But can he still play, sing? 30 seconds into the opening number, a recent track called “Mr. PC”, the answer is a resounding YES. Two things are apparent now: this is one surprisingly great song and man, Rick’s band is unbelievable. Is that Matt Bissonette on bass? Why, yes it is! Rodger Carter on drums? Again, yes! And though I don’t know the guitarist and keyboardist by name, they are equally virtuosic. Springfield is wise to surround himself with such a solid supporting cast. Their awe-inspiring 3-way backing harmonies allow the leading man to shine without blowing out his voice or over-straining. These guys replicate all the backing vocals from the recordings with amazing precision. And their playing is brilliant. This clearly adds to the overall concert experience.

After “What’s Victoria’s Secret?”, another solid selection from his most recent release, comes our way, we expect nothing less than a string of classic cuts. Dr. Drake delivers the goods, as first the instantly recognizable keyboard intro for “Affair of the Heart” booms through the big speakers. Great version. He follows with 82’s “I Get Excited”, introduced with “I bet when this song came out you were all too young to know what it was really about, but now you probably know”. Then ensues the unheralded Sammy Hagar classic to which Springfield gave new life, “I’ve Done Everything For You”, and the room is now ON FIRE. The already breathless crowd is floored by a fourth consecutive smash, “Allyson” from the “Living in Oz” album.

All the songs are delivered with incredible precision from the band and much passion from Springfield. I guess when the tunes are that good you don’t get At this point I’m expecting a break and a few tracks from his newest record, “Venus in Overdrive”. But instead he introduces, “A song written by somebody else, someone we really love.” The band then bursts into a stunningly powerful rendition of the McCartney & Wings classic “Jet”. The lead and back vocals are sickeningly good and the band sounds HUGE.

We are then treated to a pair from the aforementioned new release. He knows that’s not what we’re there for and he acknowledges, “We have a new album and any song we play tonight that you don’t recognize is, well, from that one.” Just before the energy level starts to dip the band breaks into an uber-heavy version of “Love is Alright Tonight”, the opening track from the 1981 classic “Working Class Dog”. The roof almost blows off the arena and it is unclear whether it’s the tornado-level winds outside or this 5-man rock machine on stage The evening wouldn’t be complete without a healthy dose of gourmet cheese and Springfield delivers as he sits on the edge of the stage, surrounded by screaming ladies, pounding out a bluesy solo with, at times, impressive fretboard dexterity (you mean to tell me he looks that good, can sing really well, write pop rock classics AND shred on guitar?!), followed by a short cover version of Crossroads”. Does Clapton do this song? I bet Springfield’s guitar playing is better. It’s less boring for sure. The bluesy interlude is thankfully short-lived. However, at this point all in attendance have taken such a liking to the ultra charismatic frontman, with his perfect mix of rock god poses and goofball antics on stage, that he can do no wrong. I can walk the walk, talk the talk, but I don’t take myself that seriously.

Witness: At one point, he mentions that it might be cold as hell outdoors, but it’s getting damn hot up onstage. The guitar tech then runs out with a sleeveless t-shirt and Springfield asks the ladies in attendance to close their eyes while he changes. It was just an excuse to reveal a chiseled upper body. Seconds later the black sleeveless T is slipped on and the show rolls on.
Then comes a laid-back version of “Don’t Talk to Strangers”. For this song only, the band shifts into a looser mode, yet they are so good they can toy around with this crowd favorite without diminishing it. This is when the audience-participation portion of the show begins. Rick is down in the crowd trying to coax a 70-year old lady to sing along with him. He says, “This lady is like, who IS THIS GUY? Is that Noah Drake?……..Yes, it is.”

Another massive keyboard intro. It’s the opening notes of “Human Touch”. During the extended version of the ’83 single, he roams through the entire audience, up rows of seats and across the floor on chairs. At one point he passes only a couple of rows up from us and that’s when I get visual confirmation that he is a freak of nature. He looks like a kid, even from real close. After a series of female embraces, he makes his way back to the stage to finish the song and blasts into “Love Somebody”, the last major smash single of his early 80’s chart You can sense that the set is coming to a close and the inevitability of what comes next is palpable. “Is it that time yet?”, he interjects, as he chugs out the opening riff for “Jessie’s Girl”. The crowd is going completely berserk. I liked how tight the song was performed, how faithful it was to the original. The most highly anticipated moment of the evening was delivered with the utmost respect. The band pours every ounce of their high level of skill into these few minutes.

The house lights don’t come back up so we know we’re in for an encore. Dim red lighting covers the stage and ambient sounds emanate from the PA. Rick returns for a so-so rendition of “Wild Thing”. Admittedly not the most inspired choice of covers, but at this point we don’t care, we’ve already gotten our money’s worth and then some. He closes with a monster rendition of “Kristina” from 82’s “Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet”. No, apparently it hasn’t. On this bitterly cold and slushy October night on the East Coast, Springfield and his bandmates delivered in a huge way. They came to rock and we are grateful.