How to tap into the pulse of the People? Deliver Rock & Roll in its purest form to them.
This is what Rick Springfield did on Friday night at the Hard Rock Hotel.
As a songwriter, Springfield has always piqued my interest. He writes Pop songs in the truest sense of the word: riff-based Rock with lyrics about everyday life. Stuff his fans relate to - understand. But it's the whole package that they really go for: he is living that Rock & Roll dream to which they aspire.
Friday's "Velvet Sessions" in the lobby of the Orlando Hard Rock Hotel was packed to bursting point. The tickets were at a premium, but I managed to pull a few strings (having played the Velvet Sessions a couple of times, myself).
The excitement was tangible. This was a huge draw, not that they haven't had great acts here in the past, but this was as big as I've seen in a long time (especially given the current state of the economy).
Rick didn't leave his fans waiting for long. He came on just a few minutes past the posted showtime, heralded by an opening pre-roll that built to a climax. It was LOUD! Not painful, but enough to turn everybody's attention to the stage. And he delivered: from the very opening guitar riff, to the last dying chord. he was accessible to the crowd, too. He reached out to them - laughing, cracking jokes, chatting with the people squeezed into the front few rows. He kept teasing the fans with the opening riff to "Jessie's Girl" - then, with a cheeky smile and a sideways glance, he'd launch into something else. Of course, he saved that song until last, not that he's a one-hit-wonder: there were plenty of recognisable tunes beforehand. He's written his fair share of great songs (at least in my opinion).
His band were totally committed: delivering high energy, enthusiasm and tightness. Backup vocals were spot-on. They changed tempo and pace in slick, well-rehearsed fashion, backing up their "star" the entire time. And he was laughing & joking with them: they were an integral part of the whole spectacle. He brought them into his world, if only for a few minutes. They were living the Rock & Roll dream.
This is the key: Entertainment. He never once forgot that he was there to entertain those who had taken the trouble to come and see him. He's been in this business since the 1960's, and yet his attitude is fresh, flirty and fun! His fans left the Velvet Sessions on Friday night, feeling satisfied.
This is what Rick Springfield did on Friday night at the Hard Rock Hotel.
As a songwriter, Springfield has always piqued my interest. He writes Pop songs in the truest sense of the word: riff-based Rock with lyrics about everyday life. Stuff his fans relate to - understand. But it's the whole package that they really go for: he is living that Rock & Roll dream to which they aspire.
Friday's "Velvet Sessions" in the lobby of the Orlando Hard Rock Hotel was packed to bursting point. The tickets were at a premium, but I managed to pull a few strings (having played the Velvet Sessions a couple of times, myself).
The excitement was tangible. This was a huge draw, not that they haven't had great acts here in the past, but this was as big as I've seen in a long time (especially given the current state of the economy).
Rick didn't leave his fans waiting for long. He came on just a few minutes past the posted showtime, heralded by an opening pre-roll that built to a climax. It was LOUD! Not painful, but enough to turn everybody's attention to the stage. And he delivered: from the very opening guitar riff, to the last dying chord. he was accessible to the crowd, too. He reached out to them - laughing, cracking jokes, chatting with the people squeezed into the front few rows. He kept teasing the fans with the opening riff to "Jessie's Girl" - then, with a cheeky smile and a sideways glance, he'd launch into something else. Of course, he saved that song until last, not that he's a one-hit-wonder: there were plenty of recognisable tunes beforehand. He's written his fair share of great songs (at least in my opinion).
His band were totally committed: delivering high energy, enthusiasm and tightness. Backup vocals were spot-on. They changed tempo and pace in slick, well-rehearsed fashion, backing up their "star" the entire time. And he was laughing & joking with them: they were an integral part of the whole spectacle. He brought them into his world, if only for a few minutes. They were living the Rock & Roll dream.
This is the key: Entertainment. He never once forgot that he was there to entertain those who had taken the trouble to come and see him. He's been in this business since the 1960's, and yet his attitude is fresh, flirty and fun! His fans left the Velvet Sessions on Friday night, feeling satisfied.
