80’s Pop Rock Icon Still Enjoys Recording Music, Penning Novels & Making Rum
Jeff Walker, Entertainment Interview
Although actor, singer, songwriter and musician Rick Springfield may have enjoyed the pinnacle of his success during the 1980's, he continues to write and record. Long since removed from the Top 40 charts Springfield says he continues to put out music because he feels he has something to offer fans and doesn't want to keep his creative emotions bottled up.
“I write when I'm motivated. It is important for me to play new music live and not just rely on the older hits. So, I record for lots of reasons. I know bands who don't even bother recording new albums anymore, but I still love the writing, recording, playing and the whole process so much that it’s something I really want to continue.”
Springfield’s 2015 album ‘Stripped Down' was departure for him, coming across rawer, paying tribute to blues greats like Muddy Waters. Recorded live, Springfield says it’s more about stepping outside his comfort zone and honoring the words in music, something he learned early in his career.
“The ‘Stripped Down’ CD is really just about storytelling. Having songs with a story were important for the show so I included some songs I used to play as a kid before I really started writing songs for myself. I was in blues bands for a while and love American blues so ‘Rollin and Tumblin' was a natural choice for me. Plus, I get to play slide guitar which I don't have a chance to very often.”
Over the past several years when he’s not part of a bigger 1980’s concert tour, Springfield delights in performing more personal shows. “If I’m out on the road paired with another band I’ll have full band, but I really enjoy the stripped-down shows because they’re more laid back. They are more personal, and I can interact with the audience.”
He adds, “I’ll show them family photos, take them on a journey through my career. Some of what I do is tongue and cheek. I’m a storyteller, so it’s fun just to let audiences see that side of me.” Springfield will bring his one-on-one show to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Thursday February 17th.
He followed ‘Stripped Down' with two studio releases in 2016. ‘Rocket Science' and ‘The Snake King' are harder-edge blues infused albums, the first irreverent and witty, with the later more cynical with lyrics that might be considered blasphemous. Both have a hint of pop, but mainly concentrate on the darker elements behind blues music, which may have helped Springfield overcome bouts of depression.
Springfield admits he’s of that generation that was influenced by blues music. “Almost every guitar player of my age has been raised on and first started playing guitar by studying the great blues artists like BB King and Robert Johnson. I love playing blues guitar and recording blues music. A lot of my recent albums may be considered bluesy, but there’s elements of pop as well. I enjoy mixing it up.”
72 years young, Springfield doesn’t envision slowing down anytime soon. “There are two elements of the entertainment industry that drive me. I absolutely still love playing live, and then there’s the creative side which is when I write and record. But honestly playing live is still my favorite part, because that keeps the party going.”
Last year was the 40th anniversary of Springfield multi-platinum album ‘Working Class Dog’ (1981). “That album definitely changed my life. Basically, there was life before ‘Working Class Dog’ and my life after it came out. It all changed overnight. I’m on a popular soap opera and have a number one hit. I started recording my follow up album, touring with my band, and getting movie offers. I was literally placed on the fast track.”
Many fans might not remember, but it was Rick’s dog on the cover of his breakthrough album and 1982’s ‘Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet’. “That was Ronnie. He was given to me by my old girlfriend. He was actually a stray she just found, and it became my dog.” Trying to distance himself from and teen idol fame, Springfield opted not to have his face on the album covers so he used his best friend. “Ronnie brought me a lot of good fortune. I miss that dog.”
Fans might be even more surprised to realize Springfield is an accomplished author. He penned his autobiography ‘Late, Late at Night’ back in 2010, and followed that with two novels ‘Magnificent Vibration’ (2014), and more recently its sequel ‘World on Fire’. The latter was released in January of 2022. “I have a creative itch I need to scratch. It’s different than writing songs, but it still fills a void for me. I just love to write.”
Both novels come from a environmentally conscious point of view, dealing with the misuse and or potential destruction of the planet. “They are dark humor. There not meant to be preachy, more tongue and cheek.” Springfield admits to being concerned about Mother Earth. “I think we’re bad caretakers of the planet. I’m hoping in some small way if people read my books, they will take stock on how we can reverse a lot of the negativity happening now.”
Not only did he find time to pen his third book during downtime from the pandemic, but he joined with fellow rocker Sammy Hagar in a new rum venture called Beach Bar Rum. “We’ve known each other since the early 80’s. Of course, I covered one of his biggest songs (I’ve Done Everything for You), so we have that connection.”
Springfield says creating his own brand is something he’s been mulling over for quite some time. “I had been thinking along those lines for years, and even more during the pandemic. Sammy came to me one day and said he was re-launching his rum line and asked if I wanted to partner with him. How could I turn down an offer from the ultimate beach bum, especially given the success Sammy has had.”
Hagar’s website says it best, ‘A partnership 30 years in the making. Born in music. Celebrated over rum’. To check out their Beach Bar Rum visit https://gacraftspirits.com/collections/sammys-beach-bar-rum-hi
Over a seven-year period that began in 1981 Springfield placed 15 songs in the Top 40 charts, including ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’, ‘Affair of the Heart’, ‘Love Is Alright Tonite’, ‘Human Touch’, and ‘State of the Heart’. Three singles from the soundtrack of his 1984 movie ‘Hard to Hold’ made the Top 40, with ‘Love Somebody’ climbing all the way to number five. His lone chart topper and perhaps his signature song ‘Jessie’s Girl’ spent two weeks at the top of the charts. “I had a good run. I don’t take it for granted. I’m glad to still be out here entertaining fans.”
For those who want more Springfield, he hosts Working Class DJ with Rick Springfield 8pm Fridays on SiriusXM Radio. Throughout the weekly show he plays eight songs corresponding with a theme of his choosing. “I have to admit, it’s tough. I couldn’t take it if I had to do it for real. I hope listeners know I do it for fun, and I’m trying to make them laugh a little.” The taped show repeats several times Saturday thru Tuesday.
Closer to home, low country fans of Rick Springfield can see him up close and personal when he plays the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Thursday Feb 17th. Springfield last played in the Holy City at the Music Hall in 2015. Does he have any fond memories of Charleston?
“I feel certain every artist says the same thing. We usually roll into town, play that night and head out the next day. I would welcome taking in some of the sites in the cities I play, especially a place like Charleston, but it doesn’t work out that way. For me visiting a particular town is more about the audience. That’s why I continue to tour. That’s why I do what I do, to feed off the crowds.”
