My Ricksperiences In Las Vegas!

Candi Hits The Jackpot

In Las Vegas!!

Here is the tale of how I met Rick Springfield, henceforth to be known as
"The Most Beautiful Man on the Planet."

The story actually begins on Wednesday, June 27th, 2001. This was Karen's (my Rick Buddy who I was vacationing with) birthday, and we celebrated by seeing Rick in EFX. We had GREAT seats, and I even got one of THOSE looks (you know the one - the one that completely fries every synapse in your brain!) from Rick during the show! Afterward, we went over to the security desk where we'd dropped off our gifts for Rick (mine: the Myrtle Beach caricature, framed. Karen's: a photo of Rick and his mom rescued from probable disposal at RCA Records); hoping, although not actually expecting to get a chance to go backstage.

While we were there, we struck up a conversation with Michele and her friend, whose name unfortunately escapes me at the moment. After a few minutes, Rick's assistant came out to retrieve a lady who had an appointment to see Rick. Michele took the opportunity to point Karen and I out, saying we'd sent gifts backstage, and it was Karen's birthday. Was it at all possible for Rick to find just a minute to see us? Rick's assistant said she'd check, and be right back out. When she came back, Rick's assistant said, "Ok. I can let two people come back." Karen was a lock - it was her birthday, after all. Then Michele looked at me, and said, "I really hate to ask you this, but I really want to ask Rick if he got the letter my [8-year-old] daughter sent him." Folks, I can't refuse a child. And Karen would not have had the chance at all if Michele hadn't spoken up. So I let Michele go in. Karen & Michele had their time, and Karen was sweet enough to get me an autograph from Rick.

Karen's Big Moment!

The Whole Group at the MGM Grand!

I would have been satisfied with that. Really, I would.

Karen, on the other hand, was not.

She was going to make sure I got the picture and the hug, too, come hell or high water. Now, don't misunderstand. I wanted to meet Rick in absolutely the worst way. But, I didn't want to get my hopes up. I really, truly believed I'd given my one chance away (and with no regrets about it). Karen had intended from the moment Rick's assistant said, "yes," to write her a "Thank You" note. It's just common courtesy with something like this. However, Karen took the opportunity to plead my case in her note. I still don't know exactly what was said; Karen has been somewhat evasive on that score. But knowing Karen, I know that it must have been honest, polite, and most definitely NOT pushy. Just.... persuasive. We dropped off Karen's note Thursday afternoon.

Friday arrives. The Wagerworks day. I go to pick up my tickets, and they're not the worst, or the greatest. "Pretty" close, and in the middle, near where Rick "appears" during the Houdini segment, and where he jams on "Human Touch". We can see all the cool effects, so that was a good thing. And I finally, FINALLY, after 20 years of fandom, got to touch Rick. I got the hand slap during "HT". Again, I honestly would have been happy with that.

So the show's over, and we go over to security. Again, just hoping, but not really expecting. At length, Rick's assistant emerges, and speaks with a woman who supposedly had an appointment to see Rick the following night. Karen saw her opportunity, and approached Rick's assistant. According to Karen, the conversation went something like this: Karen - "Did you get my note?" Rick's assistant - [pointing at me] "Candi? C-A-N-D-I?" We both nod, and Rick's assistant says to me, "Come on back." It was as easy as that. I thought I was going to pass out before I could get backstage.

On the trek back, Rick's assistant noticed that I was getting my things ready to be autographed, and said, "Oh yeah. Rick's got a production meeting in a few minutes. If you ladies have anything you'd like autographed, things would go smoother if you had them ready." Then we arrived in the "staging area", and waited for what seemed like forever, but was just a few minutes.

Then in walks The Most Beautiful Man on the Planet, smiling that gorgeous smile: "Hi everybody!" He looked around, as if to say, "So who's first?" Since I was actually physically closest to him, I stepped up. I had a copy of the Myrtle Beach caricature out, and a Sharpie; Rick took the caricature and said, "Thank you so much for that." "You're so welcome," I replied, as he autographed the caricature (without asking how to spell my name, AND he got it right!!! Woo Hoo!!!!). Then I showed him the picture of Shauna standing next to him in Myrtle Beach, after she got HER autograph (not personalized, and which she's thrilled with anyway - but I too, was on a mission). I said, "This is my best friend in the whole world, and she's very upset that she can't come to Vegas to see you. Her name's Shauna - S-H-A-U-N-A." And with this "Awww... Isn't that cute" smile on his face, he autographed the picture to Shauna.

Then Rick pulled me into a hug, we posed, Rick's assistant snapped a picture (the second, as you can see), and it was over.

I didn't know if I was supposed to hang out until the others were finished, and all of us leave together, but I couldn't do that. So in case anyone was wondering why I was about to bolt out the door, I said, "I'll just get out of everybody's way now." I don't know how I made it back out to the casino. I honestly don't. My legs have never shaken that badly in my life. Karen had to practically carry me to the nearest slot machine so I could sit down - before I FELL down. I cried, I shook... I couldn't think or speak at all for a good five minutes. When I finally pulled myself together enough to walk, we headed back to our hotel for the real celebration, namely a Ben & Jerry's hot fudge sundae at the hotel restaurant!!! :^D

Saturday was just awesome from beginning to end. Karen and I had decided Thursday that we wanted to see EFX one last time on Saturday - very last minute, we thought. But when Karen got the tickets, she got Table 110 - not bad! But not good enough for Karen. Yep, folks, our girl was on ANOTHER mission! On the bus ride over to the MGM Grand, Karen asked me if I would agree to split up, if it meant better seats. Sure, why not? So when we get to the theatre, Karen asks if there are any single seats available at 106, 107, or 108. Yes! One at 107, and one at 108!!!! I took 108, and when I got there, there were only two people there, sitting at the end away from the stage! I could sit right up against the catwalk, where Rick so often hangs out!!! OMG!!!!!

A little backstory. I mentioned that Wed. had been Karen's birthday. Well, Frankie (a friend of Karen's - and now of mine - who had joined us in Vegas for part of the week) and I pitched in together and got Karen flowers for her birthday. Roses, of course! So here it is, Saturday. Last EFX show, last time to see Rick in God knows how long, last night in Vegas. What to do with the roses? I looked at Karen, she looked at me, and we both said, "Give 'em to Rick!" So Karen cannibalized floral wire and ribbon out of the arrangement, and took just the roses and made the cutest little bouquet, which went with us to the MGM Grand.

The show starts, and everyone seemed so relaxed, and really enjoying doing the show. Rick was even the victim of a couple of practical jokes during the show. Instead of his regular 3D glasses, someone had put a GIANT pair of glasses in the H.G. Wells time machine - "Very funny, guys!" and at one point, Sal came out with one of the caveman wigs on: "Well Rick, you always said it [the big '70's hair] would come back to haunt you!" Fun stuff! And I was in the BEST position for interaction with Rick. I got 2 high fives (Intergalactic Circus of Wonders and Human Touch), a "double squeeze" hand grab, and a wink [finale]! I could not believe the wink! I've gotta tell this story.... One night as I was trying to get to sleep, I was thinking that the greatest thing Rick could ever do to acknowledge me during a show, would be to wink at me. "Naw.... THAT would NEVER happen!" But it did!!!! OMG!!!!!!!! I'm still blown away by that! How could he know that?!?!?!?! I never told ANYONE that! Is he a mind reader or what?!?!?

And now... the fate of the flowers... My friends, the flowers were not sacrificed to the Guitar God.... Rick did NOT shred them! No, instead, the flowers were sacrificed to..... The Dragon! During curtain call, Rick took Karen's flowers, and when he didn't shred them.... she was absolutely crushed. I was watching her, and I could tell. But what I could also tell (because Rick took care of this little piece of business right in front of me, and his face was toward me and not Karen), was that Rick had this little "I've got plans for that" look on his face, when he put the roses on the catwalk in front of me. Very carefully, and very deliberately placed. "Hang in there Karen. He's coming back," I thought. And so he did. Retrieved the roses as he's beginning the "best backstage crew in the business" speech. Used the bouquet to gesture, so that the whole audience could get a GOOD look. And then, with one last gesture in Karen's direction....

Rick tucked the bouquet into the waistband of his pants!!!!!

I thought Karen was going to DIE!!! I quickly snapped off a picture... too quickly it seems. The picture didn't turn out - blurry and dark. But there were about 1500 people in the audience who are witnesses! It really happened!! Now it was my turn to carry Karen out to the casino! LOL

On our way out of the theatre, we ran into Rick's assistant. I was very glad, too, because even though I had written her a thank you note for her kindness, I still wanted to make sure I thanked her face to face; now I had the opportunity to do so. If Rick is the King of my world, she is the Queen. She's absolutely aces.

While we were resting and rehashing out in the casino, here comes Sal, with his lovely girlfriend Carrie. We had been hoping to see Sal, since when we'd met him on Wednesday, we were still overcome by Karen's meeting with Rick - and forgot to ask Sal for a picture! 'Doh! So we talked with Sal, and asked him for a picture, which Carrie very generously offered to take for us, so Karen & I could both be in the shot with Sal.

Sal even asked when we were coming back. I sadly replied that I couldn't come back. Finances won't allow it. And this is where the saga really ends. We went back to our hotel, packed, got a couple of hours sleep and caught our flights back East. But this vacation was very nearly perfect. Hope you've enjoyed!

I certainly did!

Back to Candi's Home Page

Back to Candi's Rick Springfield Tribute Page