Key to success

Jennifer M. Bzdil of the Crown Point mayor's office was happy with this weekend's fair festivities, which included the City of Crown Point ceremony honoring Australian-born, singer Rick Springfield to accept a key to the city from Mayor David D. F. Uran on Sunday on the East side of the Courthouse Square, in downtown Crown Point.

"Mr. Springfield has a long history in the business with 17 Top 40 hits and over 18 million records sold worldwide," Uran reminded.

"Not only is he a noted musician but a very talented actor. We are honored to have him visit our great city."

Springfield, considered multi-talented for balancing a career that includes acting and accomplished musician moments in the past three decades, has been wowing millions of fans since the 1980s with high energy performances.

In 1982 he received a Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance for the number one hit, "Jessie's Girl," as his album, "Working Class Dog" went platinum.

Most recently he has been on a media storm promoting "Venus in Overdrive," while making all the rounds and performing on "Good Morning America," "Regis & Kelly," "Fox & Friends," "The CBS Early Show" and on "General Hospital," specifically to promote the album's first single, "What's Victoria's Secret?"

"Because of all the excitement and hospitality in Crown Point, Rick will perform in the Chicagoland area at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles, Ill. on Aug. 15 and 16," Springfield's tour manager announced Friday.

Due to time schedule limitations, no autographs or meet and greet opportunities were allowed for fans over the weekend.

Springfield headlined a concert at the Lake County Fair Sunday night.

Springfield, who turns 59 this month, has recently been reprising his role of Dr. Noah Drake on "General Hospital," where he first made his doctor rounds in that same role in 1981.

He last performed in our region in October 2006 when he did a concert at the historic Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet.

For more information, visit www.rickspringfield.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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