Rick Springfield, thank you for giving me hope. And a great evening of music.

Best known for the ubiquitous “Jessie’s Girl,” Springfield has been rocking for many years and the last weekend in February, he took to the stage at Island Resort and Casino in Harris for a concert some dear friends and I thoroughly enjoyed.

After the concert, I had to look it up: Springfield is 66 years old but he certainly didn’t show it. Playing a variety of guitars, the former “General Hospital” actor demonstrated he still has great talent for both playing and singing.

The show was special for me for a variety of reasons. One was the people with whom I attended, all wonderful, fun friends.

But another was because of the memory associated with Rick Springfield. Three decades ago, tickets for her and some friends of hers to a concert of Rick’s – as well as transportation to the show – were my birthday gift to my beloved niece Marga as she celebrated Sweet 16.

The year was 1984 and the show was at Lakeview Arena in Marquette and it was jam-packed with lots and lots of female teenagers who adored Springfield for his stint as the hunky Dr. Noah Drake on “GH.” It was the same year Springfield’s movie “Hard to Hold” – about a rock’n’roll singer, go figure – had hit the big screen but I don’t remember if any of us had seen that prior to the concert.

It did make me laugh when at this more recent concert, Springfield apologized for that film. Several times. He did say the good thing about the film was it debuted his song “Love Somebody” which he then performed for the enthusiastic, screaming crowd at the casino.

The music was solid and Springfield not only offered his well-known songs but tunes from his newest release. Then he threw in some hits from other performers, including a great version of Katy Perry’s “Roar.”

Springfield even walked atop and through the seats in the auditorium, brave soul that he is, to have a few audience members sing along into the mic. He was personable, for certain.

The show we saw included a sweet surprise: With Springfield’s OK, a young man got up onto the stage and proposed to his sweetheart. Luckily for all involved, she said yes. Think there would have been many broken hearts if that earnest guy had been refused, but by the smiles the pair had as they exited the stage, my guess is the story of the engagement will be shared through the generations of their family.

Being at a Rick Springfield concert in 2016 certainly made me search my memory banks for the Rick Springfield concert in 1984. What did I come up with? Well, the scent of AquaNet filled my little red Cavalier that night, that I recall, as my teen passengers readied for the show.

And we didn’t rush to leave through the throng after the concert and we rewarded with a chance to see Springfield get on his tour bus. So the joyous shrieks of “Rick” from Marga and her friends are something that came to mind.

And the smiles we all had on the way home, too, those I recall.

Thus my gratitude to Springfield, on many levels. He gave me hope that age doesn’t have to determine one’s ability to rock. And he helped me to recall some 32-year-old memories which are pretty sweet.

Maybe I never got to be “Jessie’s Girl,” but the guy who sang about her sure has a warm spot in my heart, now and forever.

Renee Prusi can be contacted at 906-228-2500, ext. 240.