Issue No. 1

I am looking for an introduction to Rick Springfield.

When I was 15, I was allowed to go to my first all-alone rock concert. I took my best girlfriend, Wendi, and we danced the night away with Night Ranger (I swear the keyboardist was staring at me the entire time) and Rick Springfield (oh, my racing heart). After the concert my mom picked us up at the corner and drove us to our house where Wendi and I stayed up most of the night reliving the joys of being merely 8 people away from the stage which held... Rick Springfield. We hardly noticed the stinky masses throging around us as we were hypnotized by classic hits like Jesse's Girl, Bop 'Til You Drop, and Swimmin' at the Pool. At one point, Rick even swung that mane of black, black hair around and his sweat hit me on my cheek - still haven't washed that spot. Come over and you'll see.

Anyway, I swore to Wendi that night that I would meet Rick Springfield. There was no doubt in my mind that I would. Well, Wendi and I grew up and went to college far away from each other, and slowly lost touch. I haven't heard from her in years until.... now, through the magic of email, we have found each other once again! And do you know the first thing she wrote to me? After 12 years?

"Have you met Rick yet?"

I think it goes without saying that, no, I have not met Rick Springfield. Yet. But I am now on the hunt. I have put out the word to everyone I know and am hoping through six degrees of separation and Kevin Bacon that someone I know will know someone who knows him. This challenge has reached out to me across the years, and across the country. Somebody's GOT to know the guy who cleans Rick's pool or SOMETHING.

Issue No. 2

A coworker sent me the following email: "Once upon a time, (probably about the time you were going to his concert), I worked a summer job during college at a theme park here in Charlotte called Carowinds.  Carowinds has a huge outdoor amphitheatre where they hold concerts.  My weekend job at the park was as a "ramp roadie".  A ramp roadie helps unload the trucks brought in with sound, lighting, and band equipment for the various performing bands.  We did such hot acts as: a flock of seagulls, Duran Duran, Jefferson Starship, April Wine, Charie Daniel, and of course Rick Springfield.  The park employees also had an annual day-long party called "cheek leak" (that is a whole different story that I will tell you later).  Well... it just so happens that Ricky S. performed the day before the cheek leak party and was staying over in Charlotte for a day or two due to schedules.  We invited him and his band and staff to come to our party, and, lo and behold they accepted.  The big day arrives and here they come.  I don't think anyone really thought that they would show up, which made it even more fun when they did.  All of the girls spent the day drooling over Ricky S.  I did end up spending about 1.5 hours on a ski boat with him.  All in all he is a really nice guy.  Although he did end up sweeping 2-3 of the best looking girls off with him upon his departure.  (bastard!)"

Issue No. 3

Rick is playing in San Francisco at The Fillmore on Friday, April 21. I am on a plane to Hawaii for the wedding of the fabulous Diana Wolf and the strikingly handsome Jovani Torres (see www.surfercouple.com). He's in town and I'm going to Hawaii. He's IN TOWN and I'm going to HAWAII. Timing. Dammit.

Issue No. 4

I found out through the Internet (www.rickspringfield.com) that Rick is coming to Saratoga, CA to play the 600-person venue of The Mountain Winery at Villa Montalvo. Searching for a way to buy tickets turned out to be fruitless. They are not on sale yet, and the concert is not even listed on the events listing for the winery. At this point, another coworker swoops in for a superhero rescue. "My wife and I are members of the 'Friends of Villa Montalvo' and we get to buy tickets to concerts there before they go on sale to the general public," he said. "Why don't you call Donna and see if the concert is listed on the letter we just received from them last week?" And as a matter of fact, it was - a late addition, so it's not listed anywhere else! Donna leapt into action and went in-person to the box office the very next morning. She was able to procure 2 FRONT ROW TICKETS to Rick Springfield!!

Who to take? Who better than my best high school friend from so many years ago who issued this damn challenge of meeting Rick in the first place, Wendi! I found a very cheap ticket from Nashville to San Jose for that weekend, called her up and refused to take no for an answer. She'll be here July 21st.

The icing on the cake.... the concert that Wendi and I attended in 1985 was on July 28 - this concert we're attending in July is a 5 days shy of exactly 15 years since the last one! STILL LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET BACKSTAGE AND MEET THE MAN!

Issue No. 5

My dear friend Nancy was listening to the radio - Channel 104.9, the local throw back 80's/90's station. The morning deejays, Ed Wank (apparently this is his real name and he had to go into radio so the kids would stop kicking the crap out of him on the playground) and Dave O'Brien, were talking about an upcoming interview with Rick for his show at The Fillmore. I was away on a business trip and missed all of this, but Nancy leapt into action on my behalf! The following is the email communication that went back and forth between Nancy and Dave O'Brien:

NANCY (upon learning of the upcoming interview):
My friend Amy has recently become obsessed with reliving her teen experience at a Rick Springfield concert in  1985. Check out her website for the full story. Obviously, she wants to meet him. She has even bought several CD's and insisted we all learn "Jesse's Girl" by heart. Once I cracked a jokeabout it and she got more than a little upset. So you see, you guys are the only people who can end my suffering! Close the six degrees of separationbetween Amy and Rick and I'll never have to listen to "Jesse's Girl" again!! Thanks ever so much.  -  Nancy

DAVE O'BRIEN:
Nancy, I don't know if you heard the show this morning or not, but we told Rick about Amy's website. He said if she comes to the show and lets him know that she's the one with the website, he'd be happy to meet her. Maybe she couldmake a sign or something that says - "Rick, I'm the one with the Desperate to Meet Rick Website" and hold it up at the show. Let her know that if she wants tickets to see Rick tomorrow (Friday) night at the Fillmore in San Francisco - she should e-mail Wank & O'Brien ASAP (by today) and we'll giveher a pair. Thanks for listening!      - Dave O'Brien, Wank & O'Brien

(side note: do you get it? rick actually knows about my website. he knows about me and he was talking about me on the radio. i think i'm gonna' pee. and wank & o'brien were all set to give me free tickets to the show and rick would have been happy to meet me. definitely going to pee. can't believe i missed this concert.)

NANCY:
Dave, I will KILL myself for sleeping in this morning!! But before I do that, let me respond for Amy, who is currently on a planefrom Florida- and screaming and needing frequent trips to the loo over thisnews. She would ADORE tickets to the show tomorrow- but as soon as she landsshe is headed out to Hawaii. However, she's got  front row tickets when Rick plays the Villa Montava(?) winery in July, and I'm sure there will be an obnoxious sign in tow. Is there any other way she can let him know ahead of time who she is? Is there any way to hear the Rick interview again?  I promised her I'd tape it and then the snooze bar got the best of me. Thanks so much for all your help!!! You guys rock!   -  Nancy

DAVE:
If you give me your address I can send you a tape of the interview. We will probably re-run it tomorrow morning but I'm not sure when. As far as theVilla Montalvo show goes - we'll try to talk to Rick (or his manager) again before he comes here for that and remind him to look for Amy.   -  Dave O'Brien

(side note: these guys are going to try to hook me up! lovin' it!!)

NANCY:
Coolness! Here's my address (edited for obvious reasons). Thanks for the tape and all your help with Rick. I'm sure you'll be hearing from Amy soon, as she'll want to thank you for your assistance on her quest. Much gratitude, Nancy

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