CS Video: Rick Springfield on Ricki and the Flash

Rick Springfield on starring opposite Meryl Streep

In 1981, Rick Springfield broke onto the scene with his hit single “Jessie’s Girl” at the same time that he scored the role of Dr. Noah Drake on the soap opera General Hospital. Over thirty years later, it’s hard to believe that Springfield is still rocking, not only during his regular touring but also in a key role in Jonathan Demme’s Ricki and the Flash opposite Meryl Streep.

While Streep is the Ricki in the title, leader of the club band Ricki and the Flash, Greg plays the band’s lead guitarist and Ricki’s love interest, who’s there for her after she returns from a failed trip to Indianapolis to reconcile with her daughter Julie (Mamie Gummer) whose husband has left her.

Those who only know Springfield from his ’80s hit and soap opera work will probably be impressed that the rocker is able to hold his own against the three-time Oscar-winning actress in their dramatic scenes as well as rocking hard in the band’s covers of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and more.

ComingSoon.net had a chance to sit down with Springfield for the following interview, in which we talked about his role in Ricki and the Flash, his bigger presence as an actor (having appeared on this season of “True Detective”) as well as what’s going on with his music and other stuff. 

Ricki and the Flash opens in theaters this Friday, August 7.