Craig Allen recaps: Rick Springfield’s candid Memoir

All weekend, New Jersey 101.5 is giving away tickets to see Rick Springfield, Loverboy and The Romantics to the PNC Bank Arts Center Sept. 13! We will be playing hits from all 3 artists all weekend long. When you hear one of their songs, be caller 10 and you win a pair of tickets to the show!

If you sign up for our free NJ Insiders club, you can even get the inside scoop on when your chances to win are coming up!

Did you know that Rick Springfield burst onto the music scene in the 1970s?

Recently, I read his candid, tell-all-autobiography called "Late, Late At Night."

The book title comes from a line in "Jessie's Girl," the biggest hit in Rick Springfield's recording career (#1 for 2 weeks/1981).

This song, one of "Jersey's Favorite Hits" is written about a couple that Rick meets in a stained glass class that he is taking!

It starts out as "Gary's Girl," but in Rick's words "it doesn't have enough of a rock-and-roll ring to it," so he proceeds to name it...after the Los Angeles Rams' Ron Jessie T-shirt that he is wearing! You can't make this stuff up!

Rick talks about his early life in Australia, as Richard Springthorpe (he was almost named Howard...but his dad said: "Howard rhymes with coward").  And, the life-long depression  ("my darkness") that he suffers from, which causes him to attempt suicide in his teens.

Eventually, his outlook would turn around, and he would head to America to chase his dreams of musical stardom.

Rick Springfield hit it big with "Speak To The Sky" in 1972 (#14/1972).

Above: Check out Rick "unplugged," before the term even existed!

When subsequent songs didn't race up the pop charts, Rick turned his attention to picking up small acting gigs.

In the meantime, he played cover songs in bars through the rest of the 1970s, hoping for his "comeback."

Out of the blue, a struggling RCA Records wants to hear some demos.

The album "Working Class Dog" is the result.

While the album is being recorded (1980), during "off hours" (overnight) because its cheaper, Rick gets a call to audition for "General Hospital," a network TV soap opera, which he has never heard of.

Getting the part of "Dr. Noah Drake" gives him the financial stability he knows that he desperately needs, just in case the album "flops."

"I've Done Everything For You" hits the top-10...#8 in the fall of 1981.

Within a year, the album and the soap opera hit critical mass, simultaneously.

"Love Is Alright Tonite" is the third (and last single from "Dog") reaching #20 in early 1982.

Rick Springfield's "comeback" is greater than he could ever dream!

And...the HITS...just keep coming!

"Don't Talk to Strangers" (#2/1982).

And this is just a small sample of what you will learn in this revealing autobiography.

Rick Springfield's inner thoughts and dreams, demons, and philosophies...like: "What's the point of getting a tattoo that only people you have sex with can see?"

"Affair Of The Heart" (#9/1983).

The writing style is breezy and conversational. This memoir is loaded with humorous asides. It is a quick and fun read!

WARNING: if a bit of blue language turns you off, be aware that a 'hell and damn quotient' (and more) is in full effect. Like I said, its candid and conversational...

"Love Somebody" (#5/1984).

Bottom line: If you've ever wanted to live the rock and roll lifestyle vicariously...Sex, Drugs & Rock And Roll...Rick Springfield takes you there, in "Late, Late At Night."

Its also a very "positive" book, as Rick has worked hard to conquer his inner demons. He has overcome infidelity, and has been married since the mid 1980s, and has two sons (which he took time off from his career to raise).

Here's a preview of the show that you will enjoy, when you WIN Rick Springfield concert tickets from New Jersey 101.5:

Rick Springfield is working the crowd...feeling the love...earlier this year!

"Late, Late At Night"...read it anytime, day or night!