| |
Left to Right: Mike
Caruso, Dave Caruso, Joe Caruso, Walter Anthony,
Chris Mondon (cousin and crew), Rick Springfield (sport jacket),
Rob Caruso |
| Dave: |
"On July 12, 1981, we were booked for a midday,
outdoor concert in Downtown Detroit, sponsored by Detroit's CKLW
radio,
for the CKLW Chiquita International Fitness Ride. It was
also in celebration of radio personality Dick Purtan's 45th birthday
(on the previous day).
Before the show, we got a call from somebody at the station. They
explained that Rick Springfield was coming to town and wanted to
make an appearance onstage during our show to plug his breakout album,
'Working Class Dog.' I was 20 years old that year.
Springfield was 32. Somebody suggested we learn 'Jessie's
Girl,' in case Rick wanted to sing it with us." |
| Joe: |
"We were already performing the
song in our show at that time. We
went to our local music store (Renier Music in Trenton) and
asked to borrow a Gretch guitar, which we found out was the same
kind of guitar we saw Springfield using. Our lead
guitarist, Wally Piotrowski (a.k.a. Walter Anthony) set up the
intonation and tuned it." |
| Rob: |
"I couldn't sleep the night before
because I was so excited. I wondered whether I'd be able to
survive the music business, because every night before we played
a big event, I could never get any sleep. When Rick's car
arrived, someone got out of the car and approached the stage to
tell us it was time. Then Rick got out of the car and
walked onstage. He shook our hands, talked to the audience
and signed autographs--But didn't play a single note.
After that experience, I never lost sleep before a gig again." |
| Mike: |
"It was a fun, summer day. I don't think
Springfield even had a band together, yet. He was prepping the market with a series of appearances. He made some kind
of comment about liking our Beatles cover on his way to the stage. Somehow,
we got him to take a photo with us; our first one with a big star." |
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Mike Caruso
(shaking hands with Rick), Walter Anthony (behind Mike),
Joe Caruso & Chris Mondon (center) |
|
Rick Springfield Hits
(Billboard)
Jessie's Girl (#1, 1981)
I've Done Everything for You (#8, 1981)
Love is Alright Tonight (#20, 1981)
Don't Talk to Strangers (#2, 1982)
Affair of the Heart (#9, 1983)
Love Somebody (#5, 1984) |
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