Rick Springfield

Noah Drake" on the soap General Hospital (1963).

In 1969, Rick Springfield formed an Australian band called Wickedy Wak. The band was short lived but it did release "Billy's Bikie Boys. Rick's band should not be confused with Wickety Wak (different spelling), a Brisbane pub band formed in 1975 which would eventually become Australia's premier show band until it disbanded in 1990.

Rick Springfield was born Richard Lewis Springthorpe in Guildford, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, to Eileen Louise (Evennett) and Norman James Springthorpe, a Lt. Colonel in the Australian Army. His maternal grandparents were English, and his father was of English and some Scottish descent. Rick spent his childhood on various army bases in Australia and Britain. As a teenager, he fronted many music bands, such as the "Jordy Boys", "Wakedy Wak", and "Zoot". The latter was his most successful, paving his way for future success as a musician. He came to the U. S. early 1970s, and recorded an album, Beginnings. It had one "major" hit - Speak to The Sky. After that came "Comic Book Heroes", which was marginally successful. He learned to speak English with an American accent to further his acting career, after he lost his record label.

While he had released six albums in the 1970s, his 1980 break-through album "Working Class Dog" gave him the #1 single "Jessie's Girl". From the music and TV exposure, he became a teen idol. He continued to star on "GH" while touring and releasing "Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet", with the hit "Don't Talk To Strangers". Upon releasing his 3rd album with RCA-"Living In Oz" he quit "GH" and went back to his rock roots. "Living In Oz" is considered by many his finest (and hardest rock) album.

His first single released was "Speak to the Sky" in 1972.

He also had a recurring role on the soap The Young and the Restless (1973).

While he waited for his big break, he signed a contract with Universal television, playing bit parts in shows such as The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) and The Rockford Files (1974).

In the early 1980s, his luck changed as he signed to RCA Records and was then cast as "Dr.

He won a Grammy Award for the song "Jessie's Girl" in 1982.

He starred in the movie Hard to Hold (1984) in 1984 and released the soundtrack to it with the hit "Love Somebody", followed by "Don't Walk Away" and "Bop Til Ya Drop". His next album, "Tao", started his slow descent from rock star status.

Has two sons with Barbara Porter: Liam (born 1985) and Joshua (born 1989).

It was followed up in 1988 by "Rock Of Life" which was his 'moodiest' and least recognized album (by the public).

He was added to the cast of the syndicated Aaron Spelling drama, Robin's Hoods (1994), in a belated attempt to shore up ratings.

(September 18, 2000) Arrested in Malibu for spousal assault and spent the night in jail but was released after he posted $50,000 bail.

Has starred in the Las Vegas extravaganza, "EFX-Alive" at the MGM Grand from January 2001 until the show closed on December 31, 2002. [June 2003]

Ranked #12 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 25 Greatest Teen Idols" (January 23, 2005 issue).

[2006] Became a United States citizen, while still maintaining his Australian citizenship.

(August 8, 2012) Pled no-contest to a lesser charge of reckless driving in a plea deal to his DUI arrest on May 2011 in Malibu, California.

(March 9, 2013) Arrested at his Los Angeles home for failing to attend a scheduled court appearance, for his previous May 2011 DUI charge.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on May 9, 2014.