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Rick SpringfieldSFlbRocker’s hits unite generations
By JOHN BENSON
5Suffice it to say, that’s not what fans should expect when the “Jessie’s Girl” singer comes to Youngstown on Friday for an outdoor show at Covelli Centre.
“No, I’m very different, thankfully,” Springfield said, calling from his Malibu, Calif., home. Still, the 61-year-old Australian native admits he knows plenty of his peers who are still living the sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll lifestyle.
“Yeah, it’s kind of sad, but honestly, people think they’re still 20 years old, which is what the character I play feels,” Springfield said. “When I played that role, I had to find something real. So I had to find the part of me that — while I’ve never done blow like that ever, but I was involved in drugs — was involved in something similar. You don’t have to kill someone to play a murderer, but at times I’m sure you wanted to kill somebody, and that’s what you use.
“As for the dialogue, it was very funny and very natural, and it fit me pretty well. I found the character pretty easy, and so it was a lot of fun to be outside as that guy. It’s fun to play someone against type and play someone big and bad. So it was great to do that.”
Up next for Springfield is the release of his memoir “Late, Late at Night,” which is due out in October. The performer characterizes the autobiographical experience as very therapeutic, with the book ultimately being a love story between Springfield and his wife, Barbara.
Also in the mix is a new album, which will be a follow-up to 2008’s “Venus in Overdrive.” That effort actually debuted on Billboard at No. 28, his highest chart position since the mid-’80s. Granted, diehard fans are always looking for new material. But the mainstream remains dedicated to Springfield’s hits “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Love Somebody” and, of course, “Jessie’s Girl.”
“There’s just something in ‘Jessie’s Girl’ that catches people,” Springfield said. “When I wrote it, I thought it was a good album cut and that was about all. I didn’t know if it was a single. I think it’s been treated well throughout the years and has had some good placement in movies, and a lot of people like the song so they’ve carried it on. It’s still one of the most played bar-band songs. And according to Rolling Stone magazine last year, it’s the No. 1 karaoke song, which is kind of a double-edged sword.
“It’s one of those songs that always gets people up at the clubs on the dance floor. It’s one of those songs, and I see it when I start playing it, where you see all age groups. It’s pretty wild seeing people my age and kids all know the words to the verses. ... So it’s something that I’m proud to have written. I don’t understand the longevity, but I’m happy for it.”
Springfield is also happy about his current tour, which he said includes a mix of old and new with some surprises to boot.
“We do some songs by Jimi Hendrix and Cream from my childhood that I loved when I was growing up and starting to learn to play the guitar,” Springfield said. “We cover a lot of the hits, and we cover the new stuff. And we do some album cuts, some of the ones I like. So we do a pretty good repertoire, keep it interesting for everybody. And on this Friday the 13th in Youngstown, just come out, enjoy the show, and I guarantee you’ll get lucky.”