The one time I saw Rick Springfield perform live was about six years ago in Las Vegas when he was headlining the show EFX at the MGM Grand. I was totally impressed by his youthful appearance and great performing abilities. At the time, I remember thinking I would love to see him perform an entire set of his own music, and last week at the Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, I got to see just that.

My car broke down on the way to the casino during rush hour traffic two hours from the venue and Buzz editor Jason Royal had to come to my rescue and drive me to the concert. I have to mention here what a cool venue The Northern Lights Theatre is at Potawatomi. I love this casino itself with its beautiful low-key lighting and American Indian décor. The theatre is small and intimate with a decidedly plush Vegas-y feel to it with full drink service throughout the show, which I absolutely love for a concert. This is one of my picks for a perfect Chicago concert/casino getaway with only short road trip. Rick likes it so much he comes back here every year and does five nights in a row!

When Rick came onstage Jay asked me how old Rick was and I thought just from looking at first that he was about 45 maybe 46, only because I know he’s been around a while, but surprise, he’s 57! I don’t know what he is doing to keep in shape or if he has a picture of Dorian Gray hanging in his closet, but Rick actually looks ten years YOUNGER than when I saw him in Las Vegas. That means that right now he looks seventeen years younger than is normal for his age!

Enough about his great looks though, Rick is a genuinely talented lyricist and songwriter, and he writes all his own music. Rick’s touring PR person told me he still brings along Pro Tools to spend his spare time composing new music in his hotel room.

The other thing we were impressed by is how great of a guitarist he is. Rick doesn’t just fake play or do a little rhythm here and there just to be holding a guitar. He is able to really rip out the riffs and dance with the guitar, making it sing and cry and swoon just like all the lady fans in the audience who are wishing they WERE his guitar.

Rick just released a new album of cover songs from the eighties, “The Day After Yesterday” that will make you flashback in a romantic way, but I recommend getting his album of original work, “Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance.” It rocks really hard and in places has a flavor of Nine Inch Nails. I rarely see a pop star that actually rocks harder in his later years than before and it is a real pleasure and inspiration that rock musicians can draw upon. You don’t have to grow soft as you get older you can grow Rock hard!

Rick is coming back to the Chicago area with two more concerts this summer. The first date is at the House of Blues on June 22nd and the other show is at the Frontier Days Festival July 7th in Arlington Heights. I will also be interviewing Rick in-depth during the next month, which can be heard and read in our July issue and at www.buzznews.net.

Really, if you want a rocking good night of rock music and fun you have to see him live. He puts on a great show, running through the audience, playing slide guitar with a fan’s cell phone and bashing roses on his guitar!

Rick also has a wonderful habit of taking his shirt off for the encore, which is absolutely worth the price of admission! Bring your drool buckets ladies, this rocker is going to knock your socks off and make you a new fan if you’re not one already! Check out his really dynamic website at www.rickspringfield.com for photos, tour info and all kinds of Rick goodies.