Rick Springfield AARP concert scheduled for Dec. 5

OK, I guess this means we’re officially old. It’s not because Rick Springfield is in the AARP age group, it’s that those who were teenage fans in the 1980s – likely the target demographic of a Dec. 5 AARP concert – are now in the AARP age group.

It shouldn’t come as a big surprise – after all, this year is the 40th anniversary of “Working Class Dog.” So the fact that our teenage heartthrob is performing for what was once known as the American Association of Retired Persons (before the name was shortened to an acronym) shouldn’t be too shocking.

And yet, it is a little.

However, I’m not going to let it get me down. I’m glad I was a teen in the 1980s and didn’t have to deal with social media or the pending arrival of a Metaverse. I’m grateful I made it to the age I am now. Many people didn’t. I’m going to focus on the fact that 40 years after becoming a RS fan, I still get to see him live in concert (even if it’s on a computer screen instead of in person). Hmmm, come to think of it, maybe the Metaverse wouldn’t be too horrible if it meant an RS concert with a virtual “Human Touch.” That would be a silver lining.

So what if songs from my high school years are now on the oldies radio station and the original MTV VJs are featured in an AARP video discussing 80s songs.

Anyway, if you are ready to embrace the AARP connection and accept that you are now part of that demographic (if indeed you are), check out more info about the free virtual concert here or at aarpconcerts.org/rick-springfield.) Membership isn’t required (but you can get some deals on stuff and services as an AARP member – a Black Friday special is a two-year membership for $20, and no this isn’t a sponsored post, just pointing out another silver lining.) There’s a short video (featuring a sleeping Bindi) about the concert on RS’s Facebook page.

The virtual concert performed from his home – is part of AARP’s brain health program called StayingSharp (click here to see a video of RS talking about this in his home studio) and a way to promote the Staying Sharp’s Guide to Music and Brain Health. I was actually interested to learn about this because I feel like I’ve been forgetting things more often lately. But don’t worry, although I may forget what I needed at the grocery store, I still remember song lyrics so I will be able to sing along on Dec. 5.

Working Class VJ

Before Rick Springfield was a Working Class DJ on SiriusXM 80’s on 8, he was a guest VJ on MTV.

I just came across these videos from 1984 and thought I’d share them.

While we’re back in 1984, might as well include this interview with Mark Goodman, an official MTV VJ. (Looks like RS really liked that jacket…)

It’s so cool that the two are friends today and that Mark Goodman has been at some of the RS & Friends trips, and RS mentions him regularly on the Working Class DJ show. I miss ’80s MTV, it was incredible.

In the above video, RS talks about “Hard to Hold,” and mentions that it was originally rated X. I wonder what happened to the clips that ended up on the cutting room floor and what was on them. Fortunately it ended up as PG so my 14-year-old self could watch it.

In case you missed it

“Jack Chrome” is getting some attention in the Australian press:

Here are some recent interviews:

“Death and the Made Men: Russell Morris and Rick Springfield on Becoming Jack Chrome”

“Death becomes these veteran musicians”

“Remote Collaboration: Rick Springfield discusses his latest album”

The interviews mention the 40th anniversary of “Working Class Dog” and a project related to that (which includes some previously unheard demos), as well as another pop album. Whoo-hoo!

Another piece of good news is that a symphony show is on the schedule – Feb. 16, 2022 in Atlanta. That’s wonderful news and hopefully there will be more of those (perhaps one in Phoenix?!) Seeing the list of shows on the concert calendar is a welcome sight and hopefully we won’t see another round of cancellations.