Rick Springfield won't be taping the Behind the Music anniversary special tonight as planned. The Australian heartthrob, who scored a string of Eighties hits including the No. 1 "Jessie's Girl," was arrested Monday night for spousal assault at his home in Malibu, Calif.

While the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department would not give out any further details, Springfield reportedly assaulted his wife of eighteen years, Barbara, and police were summoned to the home the couple shares with their two sons. Springfield was taken in custody, but released Tuesday afternoon on $50,000 bond. Calls to Springfield's manager were not returned by press time.

VH1 executives were scrambling on Tuesday to find a replacement for Springfield, who was scheduled to guest star on the special along with Leif Garrett, members of Poison, the Bangles and Hammer.

JAAN UHELSZKI
(September 19, 2000)