For most young
actors, having a lead role on a smash-hit series like General
Hospital would be achievement enough. But as for Rick Springfield, it's
only one of his careers.
As most of you soap fans already
know, Rick is also a rock star. His album, "Working Class Dog," hit
gold, thanks to its hit single, "Jessie's Girl." Besides writing and
recording his music and maintaining his lead role as Dr. Noah Drake on
General Hospital, Rick also manages to find time to do concerts,
tours, and make the personal appearances required of a hit singer.
When asked how and why he does it, Rick replies simply: "I'm a
workaholic because I've waited so long for this."
Even though
he's only 32, Rick actually began his career at the age of 13 when he got
his first guitar. An Australian, Rick and the high school pals he played
music with were greatly influenced by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Another group he joined, Rock House, played 1950's-style music, and were
invited to perform for the troops in Vietnam. Playing in the combat zone was
an experience Rick will never forget.
But it was with a band called
Zoot that Rick became famous. Thanks to his skill on guitar and with writing
music, Zoot became the top rock band in Australia. Capitol records lured
Rick away from his homeland, but because of a series of publicity mishaps,
visa problems, and contract disputes, he didn't make it as a singer in the
U.S. back then.
In fact, he was such a "failure" that he
changed his career, following his brother into acting. He studied with
coaches, then put on a play in West Hollywood with a friend of his. An agent
from Universal caught the show and promptly signed Rick to a contract.
He did many TV shows, including Wonder Woman, The Rockford
Files, and The Young and the Restless.
Once he was able to
pay his bills by means of acting, Rick continued with his music, writing
songs and recording them in his four-track home studio. Then he submitted
the tapes to RCA who signed him up in 1980.
From there, things have
boomed. Not only is Rick working `round the clock as Dr. Noah Drake on
General Hospital; he's also busy meeting the demands of being a rock
`n' roll superstar.
The one thing he doesn't seem to have time for
is a serious romance. When he first came to the U.S., Rick had a year long
affair with Linda Blair of Exorcist fame. More recently, he had an
eight month romance with a recording studio secretary named Barbara Porter.
"My working so hard just added too much strain," Rick says of his
broken romance with Barbara. "Other people have solved the problem, but
right now I can't."
In fact, he's not looking for any type of
serious relationship right now. "It's my choice," he says. "It
wouldn't do any good to blow my career for someone. It would be a real
bitter beginning. "
Still, given his matinee idol-cum-lead singer
good looks, we're sure Rick won't lack for any number of ladies to keep him
company.
