Halfway by means of my interview with Rick Springfield, I requested the ‘80s icon an unusually pointed query for what’s finally a puff piece selling his ongoing tour.
“What would you say to critics that call you a one-hit wonder?” I inquired, biting my lip.
It’s not precisely a good query — he’s had 5 songs hit the highest 20 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart over the course of his 50+ 12 months profession — however relatively than write me off as a two-bit journalist not price their salt like lesser rock stars would possibly, the singer/actor/creator/soon-to-be grandfather thoughtfully answered.
“I’d say you obviously weren’t listening in the eighties,” Springfield coolly replied. “[You know] there was a point where Elton John and I were tied for the most top 20 songs of the eighties…which is a funny thing to say. Elton has been following me all my career.”
The rocker, at all times fast with a a quip, isn’t off-base right here. Whereas primarily recognized for the mega-smash, ubiquitous-to-this-day “Jessie’s Girl,” he not solely dominated the airwaves within the early ’80s but additionally starred in “General Hospital” (which Brian Wilson, Elizabeth Taylor and Sammy Davis Jr. all let him know they religiously watched whereas he was on), appeared alongside Meryl Streep in Jonathan Demme’s 2015 movie “Ricki and the Flash,” penned a pair of humorous, considerate novels and delivered a brand new album as not too long ago as 2023.
But, above all, he’s a requisite showman who has been touring tirelessly since his ’80s heyday.
Nowadays, Springfield is halfway by means of his ‘I Want My ’80s Tour’ with particular visitor hitmakers John Waite (“Missing You”), Wang Chung (“Dance Hall Days”), Paul Younger (“Every Time You Go Away”) and John Cafferty (“Sleep Walk”).
This week, the quartet of MTV period vets are scheduled to cease into Atlantic Metropolis’s Exhausting Rock Resort and On line casino on Friday, July 11 and Newark’s New Jersey Performing Arts Middle on Saturday, July 12.
Forward of the reveals, The Submit requested Springfield all concerning the tour, again catalog and, sure, “Jessie’s Girl.”
Under, you’ll discover the multi-hit surprise’s tour schedule, an in-depth interview, factoids about his tour-mates, a current set listing of his and extra.
Rick Springfield tour schedule 2025
A whole calendar together with all tour dates, venues and hyperlinks to purchase tickets may be discovered beneath.
| Rick Springfield tour dates |
|---|
| July 11 on the Exhausting Rock Resort and On line casino in Atlantic Metropolis, NJ |
| July 12 on the New Jersey Performing Arts Middle in Newark, NJ |
| July 13 on the Wind Creek Occasion Middle in Bethlehem, PA |
| July 18 on the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, TX |
| July 19 on the Riverwind On line casino in Norman, OK |
| July 20 on the Music Corridor at Truthful Park in Dallas, TX |
| July 25 on the United Wi-fi Enviornment in Dodge Metropolis, KS |
| July 27 on the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA |
| Aug. 1 on the Thunder Valley On line casino Resort in Lincoln, CA |
| Aug. 2 on the Mountain Vineyard in Saratoga, CA |
| Aug. 3 on the Frontwave Enviornment in Oceanside, CA |
| Aug. 6 on the Pink Butte Backyard in Salt Lake Metropolis, UT |
| Aug. 7 on the Fiddlers Inexperienced Amphitheatre in Greenwood Village, CO |
| Aug. 9 on the Speaking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, AZ |
| Aug. 10 at Lee’s Household Discussion board in Henderson, NV |
| Oct. 3 on the Ruth Eckerd Corridor in Clearwater, FL with Richard Marx |
| Oct. 4 on the Kravis Middle in West Palm Seaside, FL with Richard Marx |
| Oct. 5 on the King Middle for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, FL with Richard Marx |
| Oct. 7 on the BJCC Live performance Corridor in Birmingham, AL |
| Oct. 8 on the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, TN |
| Oct. 11 on the Newton Performing Arts Middle in Newton, NC |
Rick Springfield Q&A
What does a Rick Springfield present appear like in 2025?
Very excessive power. We play all of the hits plus some deep cuts and preserve it fascinating sufficient for us as properly. I’ve an incredible band and all of us get alongside, which interprets on stage. You’ll be able to at all times inform if there’s some animosity occurring within the band.
Plus we have now a brand new ten-minute medley now the place I throw in numerous songs so we’re not doing the identical factor on a regular basis and retains me on my toes. We get to suit extra songs in and play 25 songs as a substitute of 18.
I by no means considered a medley because the Tiktok-ification of a live performance, however that’s 100% correct.
Completely.
What’s your favourite monitor to carry out proper now?
It’s often the latest music since you haven’t performed it 30,000 occasions but.
We’re enjoying a music known as “I’ll Make You Happy, which is on my “Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance” album that we haven’t performed a lot dwell. It’s heavy starter. There’s a whole lot of heavier stuff in my dwell present, which surprises folks as a result of they consider me as pure pop.
Lots of people assume I stroll on a cleaning soap opera and mentioned, ‘hey, I can sing.’ They don’t know my musical background. I’ve been by means of the golf equipment and performed music since I used to be 13.
What retains you coming again to the street?
Going onstage is my Prozac and all my worries don’t come onstage with me.
It’s a excessive you’ll be able to’t get every other manner until you do acid or drink closely and that has an actual draw back. I really like enjoying dwell. I at all times say I receives a commission to journey. I play totally free.
Inform me about John Waite.
I’ve been mates with John for fairly some time, really. We used to rub shoulders at Sound Metropolis when he was with The Babys. He’s simply acquired one among my favourite voices. After we first began this tour he had a little bit of a chilly and nonetheless sang like a bastard.
Wang Chung.
I used to be an enormous fan of their first album again after they have been “Huang Chung.” I used to be listening to it once we began touring. They nonetheless sound nice and have some nice songs.
Paul Younger.
The quintessential English gentleman. I used to be a fan of his first document, too.
John Cafferty.
I hate to sound like this however one of many sweetest human beings I’ve ever met. You simply wish to hug him like a teddy bear. He’s so superior.
What’s the craziest factor to have occurred at a dwell present of yours?
Having (famed male ballet dancer) Rudolf Nuryev watch from the facet of the stage was fairly on the market. I performed half a present with my fly open — I assumed everybody was taking a look at my my mighty man bulge and going — however my fly was open. That was humiliating.
I used to have folks come up on stage. Once I began out, I’d deliver one girl up and he or she’d get beneath the guitar and I’d do the music “I Get Excited.” As soon as I acquired extra fashionable, the hardcore followers who adopted us would soar onstage and attempt to get beneath the guitar. In some unspecified time in the future there have been like 30 ladies onstage and it collapsed.
Do you bear in mind the second “Jessie’s Girl” got here to you?
I had the music first and I had the phrases to the B-verse “she’s watching with those eyes.”
I nonetheless have the lyric sheet that I wrote out as I used to be writing the music and “Randy’s Girl” was the unique title, which fortunately didn’t make it.
What was the second that you simply knew “Jessie’s Girl” was a success?
I used to be at Sound Metropolis within the rehearsal room preparing for my first tour, and my supervisor, Joe Godfrey, got here in with an affordable bottle of champagne — which was very Joe, God bless him — and mentioned, We simply hit primary.
What’s the craziest place you’ve heard “Jessie’s Girl”?
Strolling previous a bar as a bar band was enjoying it. That was enjoyable. Individuals will at all times ship me video in the event that they’re in a retailer or one thing and so they hear it. One pal heard it in a bit store within the North of England. That was so weird.
Had been there every other songs of yours that you simply thought would have actually blown up?
“Carry Me Away” was music. “Everybody’s Girl.” I assumed “Light of Love” was a powerful music. Actually all my songs that have been three minutes lengthy, with an enormous coronary heart and about intercourse. That’s what you consider whenever you’re that age.
“Love Somebody” was a extremely distinctive music and I bear in mind opinions saying, “this is a game changer.”
My ’60s band Zoot lined The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” which was a success in Australia however I heard someplace — though I’ve no proof — that somebody heard John Lennon say ‘I like that version better than The Beatles.’ I’ve no proof and no motive for anybody to ever say that to me both.
Favourite “General Hospital” behind-the-scenes story?
I can’t let you know that one.
Do you may have something new within the works?
I’m writing a brand new album now. I’ve my guitar, keyboard and little recorder out right here. I put headphones so my spouse doesn’t should take heed to the identical musical phrase time and again. It’s my remedy and interest.
The brand new album can be a bit heavier. Extra adventurous. I wish to write a bunch of significant songs to me with massive hooks and a few taste of what’s occurring.
What do you wish to say to folks on the fence about coming to see you reside?
It’ll put an enormous dent in your a– and possibly provide you with hemorrhoids. No, come down and see the present itself. You gained’t be sorry. It’s wall to wall hits and an actual bundle present with 5 acts. Everybody’s on the prime of their sport and, and there’s no wasted moments.
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
Rick Springfield set listing
Though Springfield has a deep catalog, he sidesteps the highlight at his dwell reveals to ensure everybody will get a second within the solar.
Do you have to see him in live performance this 12 months, right here’s what he’s been enjoying at ‘I Want My 80s Tour’ gigs, courtesy of Set Record FM.
01.) “I’ll Make You Happy”
02.) “Affair of the Heart”
03.) “I’ve Done Everything for You” (Sammy Hagar cowl)
04.) “Living in Oz / Bop ‘Til You Drop / Souls / Two Tickets to Paradise / Jessie’s Girl / What’s Victoria’s Secret? / What Kind of Fool Am I / Rock of Life”
05.) “Love Is Alright Tonite”
06.) “World Start Turning”
07.) “State of the Heart” (Mondo Rock cowl)
08.) “Don’t Talk to Strangers”
09.) “Love Somebody”
10.) “Human Touch”
Encore
11.) “Jessie’s Girl”
’80s stars on tour in 2025
If you happen to have been nervous that Springfield was the one ’80s icon on the street this 12 months, we’re right here to ease your fears.
Lots of the greatest names from the shoulder pad decade are touring these subsequent few months.
As proof, listed here are simply 5 of our favourite ’80s stars on tour you gained’t wish to miss within the close to future.
• Daryl Corridor
• Richard Marx
• Styx
• Steve Winwood
• Foreigner
Need to go additional again? Take a look at our listing of all the largest basic rockers on tour in 2025 to search out the present for you.
This text was written by Matt Levy, New York Submit dwell occasions reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the most recent tour bulletins out of your favourite musical artists and comedians, in addition to Broadway openings, sporting occasions and extra dwell reveals – and finds nice ticket costs on-line. Since he began his tenure on the Submit in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen live performance and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to call a couple of. Please notice that offers can expire, and all costs are topic to alter
