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The Beat of a Live Drum (1985)

Starring Rick Springfield.  Cinematography by Michael Owens.  Edited by Jim Haygood.  Produced by Carol Stewart. Directed by David Fincher.

Rick Springfield was without question one of the most popular teen idols in the 1980’s.  He had a number of top forty hits over the course of his career including “My Father’s Chair”, “Don’t Talk to Strangers”, and “Jessie’s Girl”. Including imports, best of compilations, and live performances, he has released over thirty albums; a few of which have gone platinum. In 1981 his best known single “Jessie’s Girl” won Springfield the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

His popularity also presented him work as an actor.  In 1981 he played Dr. Noah Drake on the soap opera “General Hospital”, and he starred in the 1984 film Hard to Hold which spawned his last top ten hit, “Love Somebody”. In the early part of the 2000’s, Springfield took over the MGM Grand’s “EFX Alive” show, and he has continued to release new albums, despite his deflated popularity.

The Beat of a Live Drum was released in conjunction with his 1985 Tao album and features four of its songs. The play list is as follows: “Don't Walk Away”, “Alyson”, “Living in Oz”, “Affair of the Heart”, “Celebrate Youth”, “Human Touch”, “My Father's Chair”, “Jessie's Girl”, “State of the Heart”, “Bop 'Til You Drop”, “Don't Talk to Strangers”, “Love Somebody”, “Souls”, “Dance This World Away”, and “Stand Up”.

In 1984 David Fincher had just finished four years working at George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic, and left to launch his career as a commercial and music video director.  Fincher’s creativity and vision push The Beat of a Live Drum beyond the limits of a simple concert video; it becomes a virtual orgasm of Rick Springfield madness.  It alternates between live concert footage and music videos, and many of Springfield’s live performance scenes are enhanced with various special effects to give the production a surreal effect. 

If you’re still a fan of Springfield’s music, and frankly who isn’t, this film is an absolute must.  If for some reason you are not, then never mind.

Budget: $???

Total US Gross: Direct To Video Release

Genre: Musical

Runtime: 72 Minutes

US Release Date: 1985

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Awards: none

Tagline: none

Quote: “And she’s watching him with those eyes. And she’s loving him with that body, I just know it. And he’s holding her in his arms late, late at night.  You know I wish that I had Jessie’s girl.”