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Biography: Getting to know Rick Springfield!
Have you ever wonder how it all started for Rick Springfield? Ever wonder how Rick grew up, came to be interested in music and got involved in the music world? Ever wonder where the motivation and material for Rick's songs comes from? How did Rick become the person he is today? How did the trials and tribulations of life contribute to his success?Rick's Formative Years
Our story starts long ago and far away in Guildford (NSW), Australia on a mild winter evening at about 7:00 PM, on Tuesday August 23, 1949. Young Michael Springthorpe went to his dad, Norman and asked him where his mum, Eileen was. "Michael," Norman said, "mummy is in the hospital, she'll be bringing you home a special gift" Excitedly Michael said, "what????" Norman replied, "a new baby brother for you, his name is Richard Lewis." So, baby Richard was brought home into a loving family.
Considering that Norman was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Australian army, the family had to move around quite a lot and Michael & Richard became army brats growing up all over the world. When they finally did settle down, it was in a small suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Prior to this, the Springthorpes had a brief stint in England where young Richard was subject to harassment from English children, due to the fact that he was a foreigner, Australian to boot! Even upon the family's return to Oz (Australia), an awkward Richard always found himself getting into fights with other children...this caused him to be more shy than he was to begin with. Richard the recluse is born.
The Beginning of Rick's Music Career in Australia He turned to the Springthorpe family past time of music and at 13, Richard got his first guitar. He played with many local groups, including, The Jordy Boys, which then followed a string of other bands such as Moppa Blues, MPD Ltd., Pete Watson's RockHouse (which sent Richard to Vietnam for 3 months) and Wickedy Wak... It was also during this time that Rick did a tour of Vietnam thinking he was doing a USO type of show but ended up singing at firebases in between incoming rounds.
In 1969, by the time Richard had joined the popular teen band, ZOOT, he had become Rick Springfield and his 6'2" height, combined with his dark brown hair and hazel eyes, sent young girl's hearts aflutter. Zoot found much success in OZ, especially with a hard rock rearrangement of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." While Rick played with Zoot, they released the albums "Just Zoot," "Zoot Locker" and "Zoot Out." Zoot broke up in 1971, and young Rick Springfield embarked on a solo career.
While still in Australia, Rick released a single, "Speak to the Sky" under the Sparmac label. It reached #5 on the Australian chart during November 1971. One month later, Rick left for the US. In May 1972, Rick represented Australia at the Tokyo Song Festival with "Speak to the Sky". He flew to the UK with producer Robbie Porter to record his debut album at London's Trident Studio. Rick wrote all the songs on the album as well as handling the entire lead vocal, guitar, keyboard and banjo parts!
Rick Comes to America
Rick became so popular that the US began beckoning him and in 1972, Rick finally had his "BEGINNINGS" in the USA. This album produced 2 Australian singles "Hooky Joe " which reached #17 in July 1972 and "What would the children think ?", which reached #40 in March 1973. Simultaneously, Capitol Records issued a re-make of "Speak to the Sky" in the US and it reached #14 in September 1972. Beginnings sold roughly 300,000 copies in the US alone.
Although the young girls of the US were head-over-heels for this import from Australia the record companies caused trouble. In 1973, Rick turned to his "COMIC BOOK HEROS" for support and earned himself the singles "I'm your Superman" in July 1973 and "The Liar" in October 1973. This album was also released in Australia by Rick's management. Capitol Records was attempting to promote Rick as a teen idol, attempting to have Rick follow the fate of others young singers. The songs on Comic Book Heroes, however, held their own merit, and proved to be more musically superior to those songs being sung by Rick's peers.
While Rick was focusing on his music career, he encountered much frustration, as many young musicians do, "So scared and isolated in the modern world!." Mission Magic, a collection of songs inspired by an animated TV series (see TV and Movie section) of the same name, which in fact, starred Rick, was released in Australia only in 1974. There were 2 singles released from this album, "Streaking the Australian Way" in May 1974 and "Mission Magic!" in July 1974.
In spite of Rick's record company, Columbia, deciding not to release his 1974 album, Columbia did issue a new US single "American Girl" and Rick Springfield made his US performing debut at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles at the end of 1974.
Rick was once again faced with disappointment when in 1976, his new record label, Chelsea, under which he released "Wait for Night, " closed its doors in the midst of a US tour. Fortunately, the single "Take a Hand" did manage to reach the US charts. By contrast, the album fared much better in Australia (under the Wizard label), thanks in part to musicians Dee Murray and Nigel Olsen, who at the time were part of Elton John's rhythm section. The Australian release spawned 3 singles, "Take a Hand, " "Million Dollar Face" and "Archangel." In February 1980, Wizard released the single "Bruce." This single would not be released in the US until later.
Although Rick continued to write and record music, his next release would not be until 1981. Finally, Rick was able to secure a deal with RCA and "Working Class Dog" was released in the US. This album not only sold over 2 million copies, but it enjoyed the success of the singles "Jessie's Girl", which went to #1 in August 1981. Rick also won a Grammy Award, in 1982, for "Best Male Rock Performance" for this single. In addition, the singles "I've Done Everything For You" and "Love is Alright Tonite" could be found in the US top 40 in October and December of 1981, respectively. It was through this release that Rick's music became to be known as a personal reflection of his own life, as opposed to songs written via experiences of others or stories he had heard.
Rick's sophomore platinum album would be "Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet", released in 1982, This album continued in the fashion of "Working Class Dog" in terms of being indicative of Rick's life. The single "Don't Talk to Strangers" went to #2 in May 1982, "What Kind of Fool Am I" reached #21 in July 1982 and "I Get Excited" reached #32 in October the same year. It was also 1982 that Rick received the American Music Award's Favorite Male Rock Vocalist.
On a streak that seemed would never end, Rick again released an album the following year, Living in Oz. This album contained a much harder sound than the previous two releases, and although not widely received by critics, it was by Rick's fans. The singles "Affair of the Heart" went to #9 in May 1983 and "Human Touch" went to #18 in August 1983.
In the meantime, Mercury released "Beautiful Feelings" in 1984, without Rick's permission. This album contained vocals recorded by Rick in 1978 with new musical tracks added by Mercury. The album did produce the single "Bruce" in the US, which went to #27 in December 1984.
Even though Rick had been working non-stop for almost 3 years of recording and performing, Rick managed to accomplish things like make a movie, "Hard to Hold" (see TV and Movie section) and soundtrack, and even enjoy the finer things in life by getting married and starting his family. Then, in 1985, Rick found a deep belief in the spirituality of the meaning of "Tao".
"Tao," often referred to by Rick as his favorite album, demonstrates Rick's ability to convey messages about the human spirit, not only about his own personal experiences. The songs are deep and meaningful, and while they do not preach to listeners, they do have the ability to make one think. In support of this album, Rick embarked on the Cathode Ray Tour in 1985. "Tao" earned Rick singles for "Celebrate Youth" which reached #26 in May 1985 and "State of the Heart" which reached #22 in July of that year.
Although things seemed to have been going great for Rick, he had been on the fast track for some time, he felt burnt out and needed a break, so he took a 3-year hiatus to 'find himself' and raise his son.
By 1988, Rick was itching to get back into the game and let the world know that he had returned. "Rock of Life" was released in March of 1988. The first single, "Rock of Life" reached #22. This multi-platinum album differed greatly from "Tao" in that the material Rick wrote about dealt with his personal demons that he had been attempting to conquer for most of his life. It was almost as though this album provided Rick with a cleansing experience. Oddly enough, an unforeseen accident sidelined Rick and ruined all his already planned tour dates in support of this album. After this accident, Rick seemed to go into a permanent hold and focused mostly on made for TV movies and TV shows.
In 1993, Rick decided to do a small tour and it was enough to give him the desire to dip into his music again.
In 1997 Rick's fans were treated to the gift of Rick's music yet again when he told us about "Sahara Snow". Rick teamed up with Tim Pierce, who had recorded the albums released in the 1980s with Rick, and his friend, Bob Marlette. This album was received with open arms by Rick's fans and achieved some success.
This, was not enough for Rick and not enough for his fans...we all wanted and needed more. In 1999, after 11 years of waiting for solo music by Rick, he was letting us know that his life had come full-circle, he had matured gracefully, he had experienced "Karma" and he was willing to share this with his ever faithful adoring fans. "Karma" is a culmination of Rick Springfield. It incorporates his mind, heart and soul. The songs are soulful, and force one to reflect on things that are important to every individual's life, i.e., death of a loved one, relationship with your spouse, the birth of children, the trials of being a friend. Rick has been touring since late 1998 in support of "Karma" and has not only strengthened the fan base he always had, but has acquired many new fans along the way.
What's next? The Year 2001! Alive - The Greatest Hits! Rick Springfield's first ever live recording of the songs that put him on the map and in the hearts of his faithful fans.
Television and Movies
Who knew that in 1973 Rick would be transformed into a cartoon character named "Rick" who told us to "Believe in Magic, Cause if your Mission is Magic your love will shine through." All of us who watched his Mission Magic cartoon on ABC's Saturday morning believed and enjoyed the song of the week (which led to the Mission Magic album). But alas, not really acting, the cartoon was more a vehicle for his music.
When he hit a musical dry spell Rick went to acting school in 1977 and met his best friend, Doug Davidson. He scored a two-year contract with Universal Studios. During these two years he appeared on Nancy Drew Mysteries, Wonder Woman in an episode called Screaming Javelins and again on Wonder Woman in an episode titled American Hot Wax. Not to be out done by the female super-sleuth and super hero, The Incredible Hulk, lured Rick onto their set to play a rookie cop with psychic ability. Impressed by his appearances, another "Super Human" the Six Million Dollar Man wanted Rick on his show. All of this super power and so little Rick to go around. Rick left the realm of super heroes and went to the world of detectives. He sang for a little girl named Jessica on the Eddie Capra Mysteries and appeared with James Gardner on the Rockford Files.
A very busy two years for Rick. He was also promoting his music and did appearances on the Sonny and Cher Variety Hour and a Cheryl Ladd Special. Did we mention that during these two very busy years he also appeared in the sci-fi pilot for Battlestar Gallactica? Well, if you blinked you missed his role as a fighter pilot that was shot down by the Armada.
Acting was a way to be seen and seen he was when he scored the plumb role of Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital. For 18 months, starting in 1981, he had pulses racing on and off the set. This was not his first soap gig though because he appeared, prior to GH, for a very limited run in The Young and the Restless. He left us soap addicts high and dry when he left daytime to concentrate on his music and lament about wishing he had Jessie's Girl. However, once bitten by the acting bug you can never go back to just watching TV or going to the movies. It was on to the movies for Rick after his stint on GH. He hit the big screen in Hard to Hold (1984). He didn't get critical acclaim for playing rocker Jamie Roberts...
Then came a string of rolls in made-for-TV movies that included: a vampire cop, Nick Knight (1989), a man we loved to hate in Dead Reckoning (1990), a supportive mate in Silent Motive (1991) and In the Shadows Someone Is Watching (a.k.a.: With Harmful Intent) (1993), an incredibly sexy businessman who knew how to seduce a model (great love scene) in A Change of Place (1994), a Senator who is a Vice-president's husband in Loyal Opposition (1998) and a soldier turned very UGLY monster in Legion (1998).
Episodic TV missed Rick and apparently Rick missed doing TV. He ventured back on to the small screen with a short-lived but out-of-this-world sci-fi series called Human Target (1992) that aired on ABC TV. Rick guest starred in the pilot for the Fantasy Island like show Just Desserts (1992). He worked for Aaron Spelling when he did a guest spot in four episodes of Robin's Hoods (1994) in syndication. Rick enjoyed success in syndication with his very own series High Tide (1994), where he played Mick Barrett the surfing PI. This show ran for three seasons! Once High Tide was over Rick fell back on his music. When his current music project, Karma came out it was back to TV for him.
He went one-on-one with Leeza Gibbons; went Behind the Music on VH1, got Politically Incorrect with Bill Mahr; went Out to Lunch with E; shared his Life and Times on TNN; helped a dream come true for Richard Simmons' DreamMaker; and rocked out promoting Karma on Donnie and Marie, Howie Mandel, Regis and Kathie Lee; and Today with Matt, Katie and Al.
This all coupled with: lending his voice to an animated beach boy surfer dude in an episode of Johnny Bravo (1997) on the Cartoon Network, playing a semi-sleazy recording industry dude on NBC's Suddenly Susan (1999); an even sleazier double agent dude on CBS's Martial Law (1999) and his guitar playing self in an AT&T commercial (2000) has almost made his late 1990s comeback complete. But wait...there's more. Coming soon to a TV near you is NBC's movie of the week Dying to Dance where Rick plays the Dad of an anorexic dancer.
To put the icing on this Multimedia Cake our Mr. Springfield appeared in Smokey Joe's Cafe (October 1999) on Broadway. Yes, a seasoned stage actor too and he is gracing the stage in another musical production EFX-Alive in Las Vegas January 2001 - January 2003! - Stay tuned!!
A songwriter, a musician, a 70s character actor, a cartoon character, a soap star, a movie star, a TV star, a talk show veteran, a guest star, a TV commercial newbie and a Broadway actor. The man has done it all proving once and for all he is a Renaissance Man Of ALL Media!
Contributed by: Kristi, Paula and Tracey
Contributor e-mail: ricktopia4rls@ricktopia.com
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