SHOW REVIEWS: Rick Springfield

By Sandy Zimmerman

(Photos shot by Sandy Zimmerman during the concert.)

The audience filled the Mandalay Bay’s beautiful beach while some people were even standing in the shallow part of the pool which was the closest you could get to the stage. Rick Springfield’s concerts are always special yet this tropical atmosphere made it even more spectacular. Instead of sitting in an enclosed showroom these lovely warm summer evenings, the Mandalay Bay had an alternative.

I enjoyed Rick’s performance and complete dedication to his audience. As a first timer to Rick’s concert, I was totally impressed by his powerful performance. Everything Rick did seemed to rev up the audience and built until they were screaming his name. Rick kept moving around while playing his guitar, seemingly caressing it then frantically flinging the instrument in all directions as he played. Rick continued to move more and more, kicking his foot in the air, and suddenly surprised everyone by lying on top of one of the member of the band’s backs.

An airline stewardess carried a sign with a special message for Rick. She mentioned, “After attending 10 of his concerts, he would know what it means.”

Born in Sydney, Australia, Rick rose to fame as easily as a comet flies across the sky. It all began on his 13^th birthday when he was given a guitar. Rick’s many talents were first recognized in Australia with a Top 10 record, in 1971. After moving to the United States in 1972, Rick’s acting talents were recognized in the Rockford Files, Wonder Woman and Battlestar Galactica. Mission Magic, a cartoon on ABC, was created to showcase Rick’s music as a popular songwriter.

He wrote Working Class Dog, recorded with RCA Records, showing his dog Ronnie on the cover. Rick’s appearance on General Hospital, as Dr. Noah Drake drew more fans. He won Best Male Vocal, in 1982, and Working Class Dog went platinum. Success o spoiled me yet, multi-platnm; Living in oz, 3^rd plat slg album;

Coming up in November will be the third annual Rick Springfield & Friends Sun Dazed & Star Filled Nights cruise, setting sail Nov. 15-20 from Miami.

Special guests include Springfield’s good friend Doug Davidson (Paul Williams of “Young and the Restless”) and Eric Martsolf (Brady Black of “Days of Our Lives”). Musical guest will be Kevin Cronin of REO Speedway. Springfield and Davidson have been pals since the 1970s when Springfield had a stint on Y&R. He played a karate instructor in scenes with Davidson.

Springfield is currently doing about 80 to 100 shows a year and has had a recurring role on Showtime’s “Californication.” “General Hospital” fans will not be happy; as of now, Springfield has no plans to return to his role of Dr. Noah Drake.

With the Mandalay Bay’s romantic atmosphere and Rick Springfield on stage, what an evening!

Mandalay Bay Resort always has great entertainment:

Concerts: Marco Antonio Solis & Pedro Fernandez, September 18; 3^rd Annual Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Event, September 23-25;

Continuous Shows: Disney’s The Lion King, House of the Blues restaurant night club;

Beach: UB40 live in concert, Sept. 24; 5^th Annual Wine Amplified Festival featuring Third Eye Bblind, September 25;

For information, call 631-7777. The Mandalay Bay Resort is located at 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard, South. www.mandalaybay.com

Sandy Zimmerman is a syndicated show & dining reviewer/ features columnist as well as talk show host of the Las Vegas Today Show and Discover the Ultimate Vacation.