Rick Springfield brings solo tour to Newton

Although he turned 65 this past year, Rick Springfield is still heartthrob-handsome enough that the idea of him “stripping down” might set some hearts aflutter.

At the risk of disappointing that segment of his fan base, however, it must be stated that Springfield’s current “Stripped Down” tour consists of the man on stage performing solo acoustic versions of his songs.

Springfield feels that performing songs such as “Jessie’s Girl” and “I’ve Done Everything for You” all alone is as satisfying as anything he has done up to now.

In an e-mail exchange, he writes, “It’s a very different setting, the solo show. I enjoy the interaction with the audience and being able to free-form the show. I think all the songs take on a new perspective when I perform them like this.”

The “Stripped Down” tour stops at the Newton Theatre tonight.

The idea for a solo show evolved from his 2010 memoir, “Late, Late at Night.” In the book, he wrote candidly about, among other topics, the depression that he had experienced since growing up in Australia.

Writing the book was cathartic, Springfield admits, adding it was “painful to remember some of it, too. I love the writing process, though, and want to do more.” (He has also written a novel, “Magnificent Vibration,” and is working on a sequel.)

While working on “Late, Late at Night,” Springfield came to an epiphany. “I realized that all my songs had stories leading up to the writing of them,” he writes. The solo show gives him the opportunity to share those stories.

Though also known for his acting (including his stint on the daytime drama “General Hospital”), he thinks of himself first of all as a musician. Born Richard Springthorpe in 1949 in New South Wales, he grew up listening to music.

Like any teen in the early 1960s, he came under the influence of the Beatles. “But before that, it was the Broadway musicals my parents used to listen to: ‘Carousel,’ ‘Oklahoma,’ ‘South Pacific,’ ‘Oliver,’ ” he writes.

“I knew the songwriters were a big deal in these musicals, so (I) was made aware of the power of writing when I was a kid,” he adds.

In 1969, Springfield was singing and writing songs with an Australian band called Zoot. During the 1970s, he released several albums and started his acting career.

The turning point came in 1981 with the release of the album “Working Class Dog” and the single “Jessie’s Girl,” a witty song about unrequited love for a best friend’s girl. The song reached Number One and earned Springfield a Grammy.

“I thought it was a good song, but I didn’t know it would be one of those songs,” Springfield writes. “I wish I knew why it connected so well; I’d write a million just like it. Lyrically I always have tried to steer away from clichés.”

After releasing several more charting songs in the early 1980s, Springfield took time off to raise his family. He continued to write and periodically acted. He made his Broadway debut in the revue “Smokey Joe’s Café.”

Later this year, Springfield will appear in the film “Rikki and the Flash,” alongside Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline. The movie was written by Diablo Cody (“Juno”) and directed by Jonathan Demme (“Silence of the Lambs”).

“It’s about a bar band and Meryl’s character’s choices in her life,” Springfield writes. “I play her boyfriend, who helps or hinders her with those choices. It was a great experience working with top people.”

He puckishly adds, “I think it will be a great movie, although there will be no superheroes, aliens, or car crashes in it.”

Though the “Stripped Down” tour will continue into the summer, Springfield is already looking ahead to his next CD. He describes this album as “a progression from the last four. Big hooks, high energy, words that say something about me and the world.”

Springfield concludes by observing that he still relishes performing and appreciates the fact that fans turn out for his shows. “Regarding the performance, it’s free-form,” he writes. “So come and shout stuff out at me. I’ll answer.”

RICK SPRINGFIELD:

‘STRIPPED DOWN’

WHAT: The musician performs solo acoustic versions of his songs, including “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” and “I’ve Done Everything for You.” Between songs, Springfield will also tell stories and take questions from the audience.

WHEN: 8 tonight

WHERE: Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St., Newton

TICKETS: $69 to $79

INFORMATION: 973-383-3700 or www.thenewtontheatre.com.