In an exclusive interview airing Friday, Rick Springfield sat down with Jenny Hutt on SiriusXm #JustJenny show to talk his new movie #RickiAndTheFlash ! While in studio, Rick talked Madonna, Boy George, and Other 80’s Icons!
Interview in part below:
Jenny: So, I would definitely say since you are the original king of the 80’s…
Rick: It’s a difficult crown to wear but I hear ya
Jenny: Let’s go through a list of your peers and see what your thoughts are on some of their career paths decades later…Let’s start with … Madonna. What do you think about where she is today do you think she’s pushing it or going too far? Or is she doing what she should?
Rick: I mean she always has pushed it. I could never criticize another artist because I think that’s a bad karma and second my view is just my view I mean ya know my wife is in love with Madonna. Absolutely loves her, and I think shes amazing in that she she has serious balls and that she has absolutely been her own driver and to me that’s my own strength too. I don’t think im particularly talented or more then anybody else I know there is way better guitar players, way better singers and I know way better actors, but I am incredibly persistent I never ever give up and I see that in her too. She knew what she wanted and pursues it. And that’s incredibly brave stuff.
Jenny: Yeah and even though she’s dressing the way she dresses and all that…
Rick: That’s her and she can do that you know – I would never criticize that. I may not like it or I may like it but you know where would I get off saying “yeah she shouldn’t be wearing that- at that age” and I think she actually looks great
Jenny: Yeah..yeah. SO do I. Cyndi Lauper… ?
Rick: I love Cyndi Lauper, she is incredible talent. I love her vibe and you know her great voice, and she is one of the few who actually still looks like herself…she’s done a lot she’s doing a lot and she’s branching out too, she’s acting you know and doing a lot of plays, and musicals…
Jenny: George Michael? Were you surprised by his career?
Rick: Um in what way? Surprised…?
Jenny: Just that he’s not really I feel like right now he’s not really doing
Rick: Well I think you know the whole – everyone was much less taller into being gay back then and it depends it was so judgmental and it kind of depends he kind of came out and didn’t come out and say I wanna live a truthful life I’m gay you know and handle it you know – he was caught somewhere in a less romantic situation so I think that hurt he’s a great talent and incredible talent, you know I love the way he writes he’s got an undeniably great voice…You know its hard to separate-impossible to separate someone’s public life from their private life once you know about it and I think he certainly suffered from that but you know I think he is still able to do what he wants I think he’s got the talent and you know everyone’s kinda understood the whole pee wee herman thing I hated that. He’s such an amazing guy such a great talent too and hes coming out of that youll come out of it you know
Jenny: Yeah. Boy George ?
Rick: Uhhh He’s perplexing I don’t really know what to think about Boy George. You know I like Boy George I thought he was very brave what he did – certainly carved a unique character and I’m very appreciative of that I was never a giant fan of the music but he’s certainly continued to be excessively weird but I think that’s part of his charm you know
Jenny: Totally.. and Bon Jovi?
Rick: I love him. He’s great. He actually used to come and see me play in the early 80s before he made it I know he listened to my music and I spoke to him a couple of times once about producing a band but I just had a record out and couldn’t do it. Watching what he has done is incredible hes stayed up there and stayed a big star for a long long time and that doesn’t happen very often.
Audio Here
Great interview, thanks for asking him different questions than most usually ask. Love listening to you everyday. Enjoy this beautiful Long Island weekend!