Rick Springfield, who went from soap opera star to rock star in the 1980s, is one of the featured performers this weekend at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. In 1981, the Australian native left his role as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital and hit the top of the Billboard charts with songs like "Jessie’s Girl" and "I’ve Done Everything For You."
Now, 27 years later, Springfield says he still enjoys the crowd reaction when he kicks into those tunes. "That never gets old for me," Springfield told Radio Iowa. "I mean, I certainly don’t sit down in my living room and play Jessie’s Girl to myself, but it’s always fun to see the reaction to well known songs…I enjoy that too." Springfield will take to the Grandstand Stage on the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Saturday night.
"It’s a real high energy show. I have an amazing band. I think a lot of people are amazed at how hard the show rocks," Springfield said. "It’s very audience driven." The Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter released a new album in July titled "Venus In Overdrive."
Springfield believes the songs are similar to the ones he wrote for his debut, "Working Class Dog," which sold millions – thanks in part to MTV, which also debuted in 1981. "Some things certainly came together in the ’80s, you know, (MTV) and the right music at the right time. But I always had a lot of faith and a lot of drive," Springfield said. "It’s what kept me in the game so long before anything started. I’ve been playing guitar since I was 12 years old."
Patti Smyth and Scandal will be the opening act for Springfield. The show starts at 8 p.m. Saturday.