Devoted Fans Were More
Than Ready for Springfield's Return

Rick Springfield has still got it. Just ask any of the devoted fans who packed the Feather Falls Casino showroom Saturday night to see him perform.

Expressive signs and photos – some dating back to the '70s – w wre waved high in the air, and people were on their feet even before the veteran rocker entered the room.

"I had the opportunity to talk to Rick on the air", a local DJ announced, "and he said he thinks the hysteria is over. What do you think?"

"We still love him," the crowd's protests loudly indicated, and fans rushed to the front when Springfield hit the stage.

Once could have opened a small florist shop with all the offerings handed to the musician. He reached out for bouquet after bouquet of roses, smashing them playfully against the guitar in time with the beat and sending showers of petals into the audience. Springfield was there to celebrate "karma", his first album in two years, but hits like "I've Done Everything For You", "Don’t Talk to Strangers" and "Love Somebody" brought back the '80's for many of the thirty something's in the predominately female crowd.

Two young children wearing "This is my first Rick concert" T-shirts offered a stuffed Scooby Doo doll to Springfield, who brought the kids up on stage and put an arm around each of them.

"I've Done Everything For You", Springfield coaxed. "You've done nothing for me", the girls chimed in, to the delight of onlooking relatives.

It's the works biggest microphone", Springfield exclaimed as a giant inflatable toy was passed up.

The spirit of generosity worked both ways. At one point, Springfield invited some 15 delighted young women on stage, where they sang and danced and swooned. When the song ended, the fans were politely ushered off the stage, but not before receiving sweaty hugs from the teen idol. A few were lucky enough to plant a kiss on Springfield's cheek.

Bursting with charisma, Springfield's rapport with the audience was warm and harmonic. Proclaiming that the gathering was like a giant private party, he walked out into the crowd, playing guitar and signing as eager hands reached out for a little "Human Touch".

He seemed completely at ease surrounded by a sea of admirers.

A young girl gave Springfield a pendant explaining that she received it from her grandmother before she died on Mother's Day. Springfield clasped the pendant around his neck and sang a touching tribute to his beloved father, who died in 1981.

Stepping from chair to chair, he moved deeper into the crowd, offering most of the audience members an up-close-and-personal experience.

Back up on stage, Springfield sang "Jessie's Girl", probably his biggest hit, as fans clapped and sang along.

The setting was intimate enough to leave people with the impression that they knew Springfield, if only for the moment.

Out of sight for almost 10 years, the popular rocker was obviously never too far out of mind.