The Cost of Longevity: Rick Springfield Live at Oaklawn
Oaklawn Events Center, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Friday, May 1, 2026
Having seen Rick Springfield in the middle of 2025 at SoundStage at Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, Springfield’s May Day 2026 appearance at the Oaklawn Events Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas, proved a time for different considerations. A woman sitting next to me asked, “Are you here as spousal support?”
In fact, I was. I have seen Mr. Springfield ten-plus times with said spouse (here in MBB1) over the past 30 years. Such persistence in concert going establishes new friendships with people you see at each show, which is a major perk. The difference between this performance and the previous ones is that my wife purchased VIP “Meet and Greet” tickets, where I could have two items autographed and a picture made with the star.
“I was temporarily qualmless and sinking2.”
Don’t believe me?
and
and
And there, in these three pictures, and signed original vinyl copy of Working Class Dog (RCA-Victor, 1981), Working Class Dog: 40th Anniversary Special Live Edition (Songvest Records, 2022), and a rare, questionably obtained, radio copy of Working Class Dog, are an additional several hundred dollars each, parlayed with our tickets and what we spent on merchandise for our candid access with the artist.
The 1960s and ‘70s, this ain’t, pilgrims. In those days, it was “Grass, gas, or a…” You get the idea.
But, on the sunny side of the street, I was happy to watch my wife and a legion of other Gen-X girls sigh and sing and swoon and ring with their teenaged idol crush. And, yes, one said “girl” sure enough had Mr. Springfield autograph her ample and exposed décolletage. Maybe this is not so unlike the 1960s and ‘70s sans all the period fringes.
“I don’t think he was as friendly as he was when we saw him in Memphis,” said MBB. “He just wasn’t as warm and fuzzy.”
I thought, “Well, I don’t know because I didn’t have VIP access in Memphis and I am only a 68-year-old appreciator of the composer of the perfect pop song and not one of his target audience.”
I suspect that Mr. Springfield needed a nap. I know I did.
This time around, Springfield hit the ground rocking, opening with “I’ll Make You Happy,” from 2001’s Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance (Gomer Records), steering through a set that he and his sharp quintet had honed to a gleaming Vegas quantum edge. Obviously having fun on the stage, Springfield captivated his grateful audience, giving them a wormhole back to 1985 when things seemed a hell of a lot simpler, even if they really wearn’t. A delicious vicarious thrill even goosed me by surprise.
Consummate performer and businessman, Springfield’s entire performance system operates at the highest efficiency. He had a floor manager who reduced the meet and greet to a sterile affair where you walk past the star twice: the first for autographs and the second for pictures. It reminded me of the aseptic love scene in Judge Dredd (Buena Vista Pictures, 1995). One really had to be impressed with its sleek stealth.
All of that being said, few shows are as predictable and thrilling as a Rick Springfield concert. The artist possesses a band book other artists envy, and a consistently robust desire to please his audience. It is 90-minutes of carefully sculpted drama that continues to bring his dedicated fans back to see him, time and time again. That is an enduring and profitable endeavor if there ever was one.
Setlist
I’ll Make You Happy; Affair of the Heart; Kristina; I’ve Done Everything for You; Venus in Overdrive; I Get Excited; Wasted; World Start Turning; Medley: Living in Oz / Bop ‘Til You Drop / Souls / Two Tickets to Paradise / Jessie’s Girl / What’s Victoria’s Secret? / Rock of Life; Love Is Alright Tonite; Roar; State of the Heart; The Voodoo House; Don’t Talk to Strangers; Love Somebody; Human Touch; Jessie’s Girl.
Musicians
Rick Springfield: vocals, guitar; George Bernhardt: guitar; Jorge Palacious: drums; Sigve "Siggy" Sjurse: bass; Tim Gross: keyboards, guitars.
“MBB” = “My Beautiful Bride.”
Little Feat, “Mercenary Territory” from The Last Record Album (Warner Bros., 1975)
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