Excerpt from
Tiger Beat Magazine
Published in North America in December 1973 by the Laufer Company
Rick Springfield: What's Holding Him Back?
With all that talent and those good looks, you'd think Rick Springfield would be a Number One star today!
But something's holding him back--read what it is!
Popular, handsome, talented--Rick Springfield! He's all those things, and more! He's a lot of
fun to be with, he's very honest and a genuinely nice guy! But as far as his career's concerned,
there's something wrong...something that Rick might not even want to admit to himself.
Wanted To Make It
From the time that Rick first began singing with the group Zoot in Australia, there's nothing
he's wanted more than to make it big...have lots of fans and friends, and let people hear the
music he loved to write and sing!
He went as far as he could in Australia, because if you really want to be a world-wide star, you
have to go to England or America. That's just what Rick did. After spending a little time in
England, he was "discovered" by Capitol Records and moved to Hollywood, all set to become a big
star!
Wrong Image? Right Image?
Rick's songs are very complicated--and very simple! They have deep meanings for Rick, because
each and every one of them is from his own experiences, in one way or another. On the other hand,
if you just like sitting back and listening to sweet music, or soft/hard rock, Rick's music is
for you! He has something for everyone and that's probably where his problems began.
The people who managed him right from the start have had a lot of trouble deciding what 'image'
was right for Rick. Should he write really hard-core rock music or go for an older, more
"sophisticated" audience? Or should he go "bubblegum" for the younger audience?
Meanwhile, they couldn't let Rick sit by and do nothing! So he recorded one song and an album--
a great hit called "Speak To The Sky"! Even though it was sort of middle-of-the-road music,
everyone loved it--older people and young people, too. Everyone was anxious to hear more of Rick,
and we all waited and waited and waited!
The "image" battle still raged on. Should he wear kicky make-up...straight or far-out clothes...
give interviews to Tiger Beat or to heavy rock magazines??? The questions went on and on, and
they still haven't found the answer!
Right now, Rick's managers are reluctantly granting photo sessions and interviews with Rick, and
his second album, "Comic Book Heroes" has been sent out for review but release has been delayed
because of record company troubles. Rick is switching companies and the way it stands now the
album may never be released!
Rick has a new cartoon show, "'Mission: Magic", on ABC. But is that a heavy image? The new album
is very much leaning toward a heavy image...but mixed with a cartoon show, well, it's confusing!
Rick's Feelings
We at Tiger Beat can't help wondering what Rick's feelings are about all this. What image does he
want, and what does he want his public to hear and see?
Does Rick want to be known as a cartoon star...or a heavy rock star? He has so much talent and
ambition, we wish it could show through all the red tape and complications!
How about it, Rick? We, your fans, want to be able to see you and hear you. We want to see you the
way you want to be seen, and we want to hear the kind of songs you want to write and sing.
The only way we can get any reaction from Rick or his managers is to let him know how we feel. And
the best way to do that is to write to Rick...so how about a letter or two? Send it to Rick c/o
Tiger Beat, 7060 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Calif. 90028, letting him know what you think of his
album, his single, telling him where you want to see him, and what you think he should do with his
career! If we get a response from the "Springfield corner," we'll be sure to tell you--right here
in Tiger Beat!
© 1973 by The Laufer Company
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