Rick Springfield announces new shows
RICK Springfield will headline March 25 and 26 at the Strat Theater, a pair of shows announced this week and officially titled “The Vegas Residency.” We have thoughts.
For one, two shows does not a residency make. Not even by today’s stretched definition of a Vegas residency. Expect more shows to be announced.
For another, this is not Springfield’s first Vegas residency. Some time ago, in a different era (and different clothing), Springfield starred in the original residency production “EFX Alive!” at the MGM Grand. He followed Tommy Tune in the show, performing from February 2000 until “EFX” closed on New Year’s Eve 2002.
The concert-style, fantasy show was the most expensive theater production in the world at the time. “EFX” was staged in the theater where “Ka” is now performed. Springfield was a Vegas resident in those days.
“It was like any Broadway thing, where you’re just doing the same thing over and over — it just became crazy,” Springfield says. “But the first year, especially, it was amazing. I had a blast living in Vegas, and doing a really great show. It was very fun. I lived out in Spanish Trail, away from the Strip, and got to enjoy the real Vegas.”
Springfield enjoyed off-strip Vegas on Sept. 3, during the Downtown Rocks free concert series at the Fremont Street Experience. He tore the place apart, and tore off his shirt.
Never has a shirtless 73-yearold caused such a stir, even on Fremont Street. Springfield is in top condition, physically as well as musically.
“Of course, you’re not going to work out for no reason,” Springfield says with a laugh. “It’s like getting a tattoo. You don’t get a tattoo, and then wear a shirt over it.”
Springfield is coming into his Strat show with a vision shared by his friend and Beach Bar Rum business partner Sammy Hagar. He wants to invite guests to the party, including Hagar, who has not announced his plans to return to The Strat next year.
“I’ve done a couple of shows with Sammy, and they have been a blast,” Springfield says. “This is a thing where I want to test it out, see how it goes, see if I can stay in one place for a while.”
The show will be dotted with Springfield’s hits, led by “Jessie’s Girl” (duh), “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Love Somebody” and “State of the Heart.”
As he talks, Springfield multitasks by listening to an early version of a new song, “Come, Said the Girl,” off an album due next year. He plans 18 songs on the new release.
“I really believe music keeps you young, being in that state of arrested adolescent in the music business,” Springfield says. “I have a lot of drive and a lot of energy. I know a lot of guys have stopped recording at this point, because they don’t see any real reason to. But I love it. I love to keep writing. I love to keep recording, putting stuff out, and playing live.”
Urban’s new Planet
Keith Urban jumped in to fill open dates at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Now he’s bringing his rollicking production to Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort.
The superstar plans a 16date engagement running March 3 to July 1. Concert promoter Live Nation announced the series Monday. Tickets go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday.
To make the announcement, Urban posted a game show-style bit on social media. He pulled a lever on a giant wheel filled with possible performance locations next year (Somewhere in My Car, Roller Coaster, Georgia Woods and the like).
The wheel landed on “Las Vegas” — we called it! — where Urban promises a new production at Zappos Theater.
Urban closed his hit residency at the Colosseum in March. He had scheduled four dates at the venue to cover those originally held for Adele after she postponed her original “Weekends With Adele” residency in January.
“We got a very panicked call one night, asking if we could fill in a bunch of shows, and it worked out perfect,” Urban said in an interview with People. “We were able to do it.”
Westgate in ’23
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic will headline the International Theater at Westgate at 8 p.m. Jan. 14. It was Mr. Clinton who advised, in a cold-call convo in August, “Tell everyone when they come to bring two booties.” Serious grooving is planned whenever P-funk is in the house.
And Elle King, who turned in a wonderful performance with Miranda Lambert on “Drunk,” plays the theater at 8 p.m. April 29. Both shows are on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster.com.
Cool Hang Alert
Mr $ Mrs Smith plays Carnaval Court at Harrah’s from 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The cracking rock cover band has performed in Vegasville for more than a decade. Lyssa Baker, Sham Lewis, Tasos Pelt, Scott Teeple and Corky Gainsford are the current lineup. No cover. Carnaval Court is outdoors, so dress accordingly.