It seems everyone and their mother is getting into the book business, and celebrities from Ricky Martin to Justin Bieber have decided they need to share their stories with the unsuspecting print community. So it should come as no surprise that one of the biggest heartthrobs of the ’80s — even though he would prefer not to be known for that accomplishment — is also cashing in on the trend. “Late, Late at Night: A Memoir,” by Rick Springfield, is the tale of everything that happened before and after the release of the now-infamous “Jessie’s Girl.”
Many people are probably going to be surprised to learn that the singer/songwriter made some artistic contributions aside from the karaoke anthem, but a few pages into the messy introduction (including all kinds of flash-forwards and flashbacks) it becomes apparent that he has.
Much to the dismay of those hoping for the unexpected, most of Springfield’s autobiography only proves to satisfy the unfortunate stereotype that the life of a musician revolves around “sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll.” In fact, a great deal of the book’s focus is on the sex part. It doesn’t do much to elevate Springfield’s reputation that he freely admits to repeated infidelity through most of his touring days, but, then again, at least he’s admitting to it.
While his sexual issues are a recurring topic in “Late, Late at Night,” Springfield chooses to gloss over some particular areas of interest. And his lack of detail is a little suspicious to the discerning reader, as is the case when he (very) briefly discusses the rumors and charges of spousal abuse in his past. The entertainer claims his shortness is due to respect for his wife’s privacy, but a more cynical reader might suspect that’s not the only reason.
Sexual promiscuity and darkness notwithstanding, there are some shining moments here. Springfield’s love and admiration for his father is made apparent, and his adulation for dogs comes across in such a way that it’s impossible not to appreciate that there is probably a pretty decent guy in there somewhere. Even with that brightness, though, the word that can best describe this piece of nonfiction is “nonchalance.” Unless he’s opening up about his father or his canine friends, the multifaceted star seems fairly neutral in his tone, especially when dealing with heavy topics like recreational drugs and plastic surgery.
However lightly Springfield might treat his history, he’s definitely got some interesting stories to tell. Whether he’s discussing his time spent as a youth playing for troops in Vietnam or talking about how he used to build guillotines in high school (which is, admittedly, a little scary), there’s enough depth to this book to keep the reader hooked, and his conversational tone actually helps to make it an easy read.
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