Concert Reports

Rick Springfield and Richard Marx have expanded their co-headlining 2024 Acoustic Tour which included a performance at Vina Robles Amphitheatre, on Sunday, August 11. The concert featured intimate solo acoustic performances and full sets from each artist.

All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks

RickSpringfield.com        RichardMarx.com

VinaRoblesAmphitheatre.com

Rick Springfield and Richard Marx delivered a fun and energetic Acoustic set at Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles. The pair managed to also pack a lot of emotion in the show which says a lot about the duo’s chemistry and friendship as we all know acoustic tours can sometimes come off lackluster and subdued. Marx got the show started with “Endless Summer Nights,” then the pair traded hits back and forth throughout the night with some unexpected covers and medleys: Lionel Ritchie’s All Night Long ( Marx sang background vocals on the original recording ), and Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer, ( which Marx has co righting credits on, ) then Springfield gave the night an emotional tribute to his late Father in the song” My Father’s Chair,” which showcased the singer’s singing talent as he went A Cappella off mike part song.

Next Springfield performed a entertaining medley of “Jessie's Girl / Stacy's Mom / 867-5309/Jenny” in which the singer wove all three songs together intertwining the lyrics. “Love Somebody,” and “Human Touch” followed which saw both singers hop off stage to go into the crowd for high fives and hugs. “Right Here Waiting,” and “Jessie’s Girl” ended the night.

No doubt about it, Springfield and Marx owned the 80’s with heavy airplay and rotation on MTV, which still resonates with fans to this day while younger generations have also discovered their hits as well as their newer music. This was evident as fans of all ages sang along to “Affair of The Heart,” “Should’ve Known Better,” and of course “Right Here Waiting,” and “Jessie’s Girl.”

Over the past four decades, Rick Springfield has worn many hats as an entertainer and performer. The creator of some of the finest power-pop of the ’80s, a Grammy winning singer, songwriter, and musician who has sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits, including “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart,” "I've Done Everything for You,” “Love Somebody,” and “Human Touch.” He’s an accomplished actor who has starred opposite Meryl Streep in the feature film “Ricki and the Flash,” gave a chameleonic performance as the creepy Dr. Irving Pitlor in HBO’s prestige drama “True Detective,” earned great reviews for his portrayal of Lucifer on the CW hit “Supernatural” and most recently played the insane Pastor Charles on FX’s worldwide hit series “American Horror Story.” An author as well, both his candid 2010 memoir Late, Late at Night (which Rolling Stone named one of the 25 greatest rock memoirs of all time) and his 2014 comedic novel Magnificent Vibration earned rave reviews and spots on the New York Times Best Sellers’ list. In 2014, Springfield was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located around the corner from the first apartment he lived in when he first arrived in the U.S. from Australia in 1971. Springfield’s Sirius-XM radio show, Working Class DJ, is a huge hit and airs weekly on 80s on 8. His new album Automatic, is his first album of all new original material in five years. Also, look for Rick’s collaboration with Sammy Hagar with Beach Bar Rum

Two iconic rockers have been busy—getting into the rum business. Meet Beach Bar Rum.

Sammy Hagar has been dabbling in the spirits game for a few years and after chatting with his buddy Rick Springfield, he decided to relaunch the rum part of his portfolio and Rick came onboard as a partner.

“Sammy has had such amazing success in the spirit business and I’ve wanted to get into it for a while now. When this opportunity came along I thought it was a brilliant idea,” Rick adds. “And I am an Earnest Hemingway fan so of course I drink rum. I’ve tried a bunch of them and the Beach Bar brand is a cut above all the ones I tried — smoother and sweeter.”

“Our first collaboration was a home run so we thought why not try it again,” Springfield says in reference to his 1981 hit recording of the Hagar-penned “I’ve Done Everything For You”.

“Rick and I go way back— he had a hit with a song I wrote and we’ve been friends ever since,” says Sammy. “Now we’re ready for our next hit with Beach Bar Rum!”
The rum range from the trio features three Puerto Rican made expressions: a basic white rum, Kola Spiced Rum, and Red Head Macadamia Nut Rum. More information at: sammysbeachbarrum.com The rums are distributed nationally and available to order online in select states.

In his four decades as a songwriter Richard Marx has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, starting with his self-titled debut which went to No. 8 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. He has since made history as the only male artist whose first seven singles reached the Top 5 on the Billboard charts. Richard has also written on a No. 1 single in each of the last four decades, an accolade previously only reached by Michael Jackson. Overall, he has scored 14 No. 1 singles both as a performer and as a songwriter/producer, revealing him a true multitalented performer who continues to challenge himself and his fans. In addition to being a musician, Richard is a committed philanthropist, supporting charitable causes like the American Cancer Society and the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Mercy For Animals, ASPCA, Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the charity closest to Richard’s heart, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, for which his produced events have raised over $4 million for research.

In 2022, Marx released his unique and ambitious album, simply and appropriately titled Songwriter, consisting of 20 tracks crossing four different genres, pop, live rock, country and ballads. Made mainly of collaborations with various music superstars such as Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, David Hodges, Matt Scannell, Chris Daughtry, Jason Wade and the legendary Burt Bacharach. The legacy of his career as a songwriter, singer and musician and now author is now well established and Richard is happy to continue on his trajectory, wherever it takes him.

About Vina Robles Amphitheatre

Welcome to the Vina Robles Amphitheatre, where European Inspiration meets California Character and the stars always shine. Here, two of California's great compositions meet, as exceptional wine and intimate live music are paired to create an unforgettable wine country experience.

The 3,300 seat boutique amphitheatre is nestled on a picturesque, oak-dotted hillside in Paso Robles on California's Central Coast. With its opening in the summer of 2013, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre became one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County. Featuring a style reminiscent of the California missions, guests are able to immerse themselves in a unique and intimate concert adventure as they enjoy modern amenities and first class hospitality. The concert season runs from May through November and features top tier acts from around the world in all genres. Various seating options all within 150 feet from the stage, including regular, VIP and general admission lawn seating, make events accessible to anyone in the community. We look forward to sharing our love of wine and the arts with you soon. For more information about the Vina Robles Winery, Click Here

www.VinaRoblesAmphitheatre.com
 

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