It is ironic that when one types “Rick Springfield” into an Internet search engine, one result is the musician’s photograph on a vintage ’80s coffee mug.
According to fan Amy Albright, 45, of East Peoria, Springfield is a big coffee drinker.
It just so happened that Albright and her friend, Beth Fussner, 43, of East Peoria, got to deliver lattes to Springfield while he was in town Friday for a concert.
Fussner said she and Albright hang out at Eysal’s Coffee Roasters in East Peoria.
“Amy actually introduced me to (owner) Fred (Kraus)when they first opened. We’ve been hooked ever since. We’re just regulars,” Fussner said.
Recently, while at Eysal’s, the topic of Rick Springfield and the concert at the Par-A-Dice came up. Albright told Kraus that Springfield loves lattes.
The women told Kraus that he needed to get Springfield to visit his business.
“(Kraus) is the best ... It’s kind of like family down here. Lots of us gals drop off our kids for schools and come down here,” Albright said.
Kraus teased the women about Springfield, but he took the coffee comment seriously. Since he knew someone at the Par-A-Dice, Kraus put in a bid to provide coffee for Springfield and his band.
When Kraus learned he was granted the bid, he told Albright and Fussner they could deliver the dozen lattés.
Even though the women have met Springfield four times, Albright said she was nervous prior to delivering the drinks.
Fussner said Albright is the bigger fan of Springfield, an award-winning musician, who is probably best known for his No. 1 hit “Jessie’s Girl.”
Albright said she began following Springfield in 1981. She saw him in concert in the ’80s and watched him as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital and plastered her room with his posters.
“My mother wasn’t happy with me. You couldn’t see the paint on the walls. When you’re young, he’s the teenage heartthrob. When you meet him, he’s very down to earth. He takes time with you at the meet and greet. The band are all nice guys, too,” Albright said.
The first time the two friends met Springfield was at Navy Pier when Albright was 39.
For her 40th birthday, Albright’s husband bought her a special “meet and greet” package, so she met him backstage in Beloit, Wis., in a trailer. Albright and Fussner had their photograph taken with Springfield.
