Rick's biggest fan?

Last year I went on the 1st annual Rick Springfield and friends cruise. It was a serendipitous experience for me because it was 26 years ago to the day that I had first met him on the set of General Hospital in Hollywood. I was thrilled to talk to him again and get my picture with him (finally)!

This year, my boyfriend (ex) surprised me with purchasing the same cruise…the 2nd annual Rick Springfield and friends cruise. But, he did not purchase the whole thing. You could do the cruise without doing all of the Rick Springfield events. We were just going to be on the same ship as him.

Well, I thought that would be ok. I really had gotten what I wanted last year (a picture). Besides, most of his current fans are a lot more fanatical and zealous than I am now.

We left from Miami. Then cruised into Cozumel. It was a nice trip. Rick gave a free concert of cover tunes on the ship’s deck. But, I knew that there was one event I really wanted to see…he was going to perform his first hit album in its entirety. This was the one that made him a star. He had recorded several before, but his ‘Working Class Dog’ album was the one that had his first hit ‘Jessie’s Girl’ on it and it was his breakout album. It was even played on hard rock radio stations. It was quite respected in its day. But, since we had not paid for the concerts, I doubted I would get to go.

It was Sunday…and we were at sea all day. The ship got all of he Denver news stations for some reason, so we saw a wonderful snow storm going on in Denver…while I was sunning and enjoying cruising the Caribbean!

I decided to go to the spa and workout and have a steam. As I was in the locker room…who comes in but Barbara Springthorpe (aka Springfield), Rick’s wife. I was dressing/undressing right next to her! I had run into her a few times while living close to them in Toluca Lake, California in the 80s. I even remember being right next to her at a gas station. She was filling her black Mercedes convertible…I was filling my brown El Camino! Now, here we are side by side once again...me in my rags and her in her riches!! (I had written a song about her, ‘Barbara Knows’…I was always so envious!). They have been married for 25 years. I can't help but think of how different her life is from mine...or mine from hers. Could she have ever endured what I have? I don't know what life with Rick is like...but, Barbara knows.

Anyway, she went her way and I went back to drinking on the deck! Later, as I was walking by the theater where the concerts were held, I saw they were setting up. I had no idea what was going on but the door was open, so I walked in like I knew what I was doing. It was THE concert that I wanted to see. The ‘Working Class Dog’ concert! Soon Rick was performing my favorite album…the album that I fell in love with him to…the album that I played over and over and over. The album that I owned several copies of (for some odd reason, I just kept buying them!). The album that I knew every word of every song to…

I stood at the top of the theater where no one was sitting … and danced and danced and danced. I did remember almost every word of these songs. I remembered (and screamed out) the order of the songs. He did them in perfect order and exactly as they were on the album. I was thrilled.

Still, I was also melancholy. This album was the one that made my dreams come alive. It was why I moved to LA and really wanted to be a pop singer, performer and/or actress. I wanted to be like Rick! And God blessed me with just enough talent (not as much as him) that I thought I could do it. I didn't want to marry the man (besides he was already taken!)...But, I wanted to work with him. Well, I still do! (I did get to be an extra in his movie in 1984...but, that's not enough!).

So, by the time the last song was played…a slow love song…a beautiful song…I started to cry. I had this song looped on a cassette tape (remember, it was 1982)…and sometimes…many times…fell asleep with this song playing in my ear. Over and over and over.

As he played it... I cried, and cried, and cried. You know, it was a little cathartic. But, it also made me sad. So sad. Why did my life take such weird turns? What a long strange trip it's been.

I have been thinking that I might have lost my love and admiration for this man. I used to be certain that I was his biggest fan…the one who appreciated him the most. Once more, after hearing this album performed...and dancing and singing my heart out, I think I still might be…

Hooky jo

PS - I didn’t start up a conversation with his wife, but did with her companion in the spa. She informed me that there would be a 3rd annual Rick Springfield and friends cruise. Shall I go???? Maybe next year…I will be his peer, not just a fan?!?

jojo