The singer who turned up the heat and racked up the hits in the 1980s should pack the park when he headlines St. Petersburg's Ribfest on Sunday.
By RICK GERSHMAN
Published November 11, 2004
Twenty-three years have passed since Jessie's Girl made Rick Springfield a household name, so it might be a long time since the 1980s heartthrob has crossed your mind. But you'd be surprised at the legion of fans - mostly 30-something and 40-something women - who follow the former General Hospital star's every move. They've even started a grass roots organization to help promote his most recent album, Shock/denial/anger/acceptance.
Perhaps the Rick Springfield Shock Street Team, as they are known, will be out in force when the 55-year-old headlines the final day of Ribfest in downtown St. Petersburg at 6 p.m. Sunday.
But for those who have lost track of Mr. Springfield over the years, here's a little rib-themed overview of his career to get reacquainted.
PRE-1980
THE MEAT: Springfield is born Richard Lewis Springthorpe in Sydney, Australia, in 1949. He scores several hits - okay, Australia hits - with the teeny-bopper group Zoot through 1971, then goes solo and reaches No. 14 on the U.S. charts with the single Speak to the Sky.
THE BONE: We've never heard of Speak to the Sky either. Or Zoot.
SUCCULENT SAUCE: Handsome guy with solid musical chops. Minor recording successes and looks get him a shot at acting in Hollywood, where he lands bit roles on such shows as Wonder Woman, Battlestar Galactica and The Incredible Hulk.
THE 1980s
THE MEAT: In 1981, becomes an "overnight success," landing the role of sexy Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital and releasing the hit album Working Class Dog. Followup Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet also blows up with the single Don't Talk to Strangers in 1982. Makes feature film debut in 1984's Hard to Hold.
THE BONE: Quits popular soap gig in 1983. Critics find Hard to Hold hard to stomach. Stars as a vampire cop in the TV movie Nick Knight, which years later becomes the popular syndicated series Forever Knight, but sans Springfield.
SUCCULENT SAUCE: Dog is anything but, an enormous hit with such songs as Jessie's Girl, I've Done Everything for You and Love Is Alright Tonite. Success and subsequent releases Living in Oz, Tao and Rock of Life, while uneven, produce numerous hit singles. And he still looks good.
THE 1990s
THE MEAT: Springfield basically stops recording to focus on acting, which mostly amounts to roles on short-lived TV shows and bit parts in TV movies. Finally records new album, Karma, in 1999.
THE BONE: . . . That's TV movies with such titles as In the Shadows, Someone's Watching, which everyone agrees is at least much better than the Tori Spelling star vehicle, Mother, May I Sleep With Danger. Karma produces no hits and is ignored by radio.
SUCCULENT SAUCE: Music catalog continues to sell well, with '80s hits popular on adult contemporary radio. Royalties continue to flow in. Lands some regular exposure starring in the syndicated detective show High Tide. Karma gets good reviews, considered a solid, mature work. And at 50, he still looks good.
2000-PRESENT
THE MEAT: Acting career dried up, Springfield releases Greatest Hits . . . Alive in 2001 to good notices and okay sales. Enjoys a little self-therapy with the February 2004 release of the cathartic Shock/denial/anger/acceptance and does rounds on the national talk shows.
THE BONE: Jessie's Girl shows up on the soundtrack to a film called Mrs. Death 2: Hells Fury. Sole TV credit is in the TV movie Dying to Dance. Its tagline: "To be a prima ballerina, she was willing to sacrifice anything. And everything."
SUCCULENT SAUCE: Retains the pull to headline Ribfest over other such national acts as former Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm and twin Ricky Nelson offspring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson. Jessie's Girl gets much better exposure in Jennifer Garner's recent flick, 13 Going on 30. And at 55, he still looks mighty good.
PREVIEW
Gates open at 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday for Ribfest. Highlights include a Corvette show noon-4 p.m. Sat., Harley Davidson show (noon-4 p.m. Sun.) and Kidszone with entertainment, butterfly experience, crafts and more daily. Vinoy Park, Seventh Avenue NE at Tampa Bay, downtown St. Petersburg. $10, kids free. No coolers, cameras, alcohol or pets may be brought in. (727) 528-3828; www.ribfest.org
The entertainment schedule:
FRIDAY
6:15 p.m. Damon Fowler Group
7:15 p.m. Willie Lomax
8:30 p.m. Jonny Lang
SATURDAY
1 p.m. Family Stone Experience with founding members of Sly & the Family Stone
2:30 p.m. Trick Shot
3:30 p.m. Jefferson Starship
5:15 p.m. Point 6
6 p.m. Gregg Rolie
7:45 p.m. Billy Norris Project
8:30 p.m. Lou Gramm, lead singer of Foreigner
SUNDAY
1 p.m. Dirty Secrets
2 p.m. Dave Mason
3 p.m. Heat Seeker
4 p.m. The Nelsons, featuring Matthew & Gunnar
5:15 p.m. Sunburn
6 p.m. Rick Springfield
RIB VENDORS
The real stars of Ribfest are the ribmasters, who'll vie for the titles of best sauce and best ribs. Bring a big appetite, there's a whole world of barbecue awaiting.
