Rikki Rockett
Encyclopedia
Richard Allan Ream better known by the stage name
Rikki Rockett, is an American drummer
best known for his work with the glam metal
band
, Poison
.
, Pennsylvania
, Rockett was the younger of two children to Norman and Margaret Ream. He attended Cedar Cliff High School
in Camp Hill. Before founding Poison with vocalist Bret Michaels
, Rockett worked as a hairdresser
, lifeguard
, dishwasher
, Emergency Medical Technician
and a suit sales
man.
Rockett was always an integral part of Poison
's success featuring on every Poison album ever released. The tattoo photo
featured on Poison's 1990 album
Flesh and Blood
is Rockett's right shoulder. The logo
was already done a couple of years prior but he added "Flesh and Blood" in support of the title. The original album cover
still has the blood running from the new tattoo
though it was airbrush
ed out soon after its release.
In late-1993, Rockett discovered that the then guitarist
Richie Kotzen
of Poison was having a relationship with Rockett's fiancee at the time, Deanna Eve. Kotzen was fired due to this incident.
Rockett and Brian Cocivera joined forces creating custom built drum kits called the Chop Shop Custom Drum Company.
After almost twenty years with Poison, Rockett released his first solo album, Glitter 4 Your Soul
on January 7, 2003 which was distributed online. The album was a tribute to 1970s glam rock
. He also guested on Britny Fox
's Bite Down Hard
.
In 2004 Rikki founded the "Brit Iron Rebels" a vintage and modern retro motorcycle internet group dedicated to the British Rocker motorcycle culture of the '50's & '60's.
In April 2006 the same year Poison celebrated their 20 year anniversary, Rockett made a guest appearance on TLC's new "Wrecks To Riches" auto overhaul series, helping to restore a 1969 Dodge Dart
before giving Poison's new version of "We're an American Band
" a spin on the car's amped-up sound system
.
On April 26, 2007, Rockett announced the creation of "Rockett Drum Works Inc". It is a drum manufacturing company, specializing in the creation of ultra custom drum kit
s, snare drum
s and custom accessories. Prior to setting up his enterprise, Rockett worked for Chop Shop Custom Drum. He departed after conflicting opinions with Chop Shop founder Brian Cocivera. Rockett recruited most of the staff from Chop Shop along with some newer staff members.
In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Star Wars
in May 2007, Rockett discussed his lifelong love of the series during an interview with Maul Stanley. Rockett wore a Star Wars
patch on his vest in Poison
's "Fallen Angel
" music video
and he claimed that his favorite character is C-3PO
.
On September 19, 2007, Bosphorus Cymbals
unveiled the "Rockett Ride"; a custom ride cymbal in 20" and 22" sizes, designed to Rockett's exact specifications.
In October 2008 Rockett married long time girlfriend Melanie Martel. On July 14, 2009, they had their first child, Jude Aaron Rockett.
Rikki currently holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
, under trainer Renato Magno and trains at Street Sports Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, located in Santa Monica, California
.
Rockett is a vegan
.
reservation in Mississippi. The Silver Star Casino is owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
which is Choctaw and Federal jurisdiction. On May 22, 2008, Rockett was exonerated of all charges after it was determined that he was not even in the state of Mississippi during the time of the alleged crime. It is believed that someone by the name of John Minskoff impersonated Rockett to get someone to sleep with him.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Rikki Rockett, is an American drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
best known for his work with the glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
.
Biography
Born in MechanicsburgMechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Mechanicsburg is a borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA, eight miles west of Harrisburg. It is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. Mechanicsburg was settled in 1806 and incorporated as a borough on April 12, 1828...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Rockett was the younger of two children to Norman and Margaret Ream. He attended Cedar Cliff High School
Cedar Cliff High School
Cedar Cliff High School is a coeducational public high school located in Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and is one of two high schools in the West Shore School District. It was formed in 1960 with the merger of West Shore High School and New Cumberland High School. The Cedar Cliff...
in Camp Hill. Before founding Poison with vocalist Bret Michaels
Bret Michaels
Bret Michaels is an American musician, actor, director, screenwriter, producer and reality television personality. He first gained fame as the lead vocalist of the glam metal band Poison. Besides his career as lead singer, he has several solo albums to his credit, as well as one chart single...
, Rockett worked as a hairdresser
Hairdresser
Hairdresser is a term referring to anyone whose occupation is to cut or style hair in order to change or maintain a person's image. This is achieved using a combination of hair coloring, haircutting, and hair texturing techniques...
, lifeguard
Lifeguard
A lifeguard supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, or beach. Lifeguards are strong swimmers and trained in first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on...
, dishwasher
Dishwasher
A dishwasher is a mechanical device for cleaning dishes and eating utensils. Dishwashers can be found in restaurants and private homes.Unlike manual dishwashing, which relies largely on physical scrubbing to remove soiling, the mechanical dishwasher cleans by spraying hot water, typically between ...
, Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medical technician
Emergency Medical Technician or Ambulance Technician are terms used in some countries to denote a healthcare provider of emergency medical services...
and a suit sales
Sales
A sale is the act of selling a product or service in return for money or other compensation. It is an act of completion of a commercial activity....
man.
Rockett was always an integral part of Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
's success featuring on every Poison album ever released. The tattoo photo
Photograph
A photograph is an image created by light falling on a light-sensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic imager such as a CCD or a CMOS chip. Most photographs are created using a camera, which uses a lens to focus the scene's visible wavelengths of light into a reproduction of...
featured on Poison's 1990 album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Flesh and Blood
Flesh and Blood (Poison album)
Flesh & Blood is the third studio album by American glam metal band Poison, released in 1990 through the Enigma label of Capitol Records. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard chartsand it sold over 7.2 million copies worldwide....
is Rockett's right shoulder. The logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
was already done a couple of years prior but he added "Flesh and Blood" in support of the title. The original album cover
Album cover
An album cover is the front of the packaging of a commercially released audio recording product, or album. The term can refer to either the printed cardboard covers typically used to package sets of 10" and 12" 78 rpm records, single and sets of 12" LPs, sets of 45 rpm records , or the front-facing...
still has the blood running from the new tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
though it was airbrush
Airbrush
An airbrush is a small, air-operated tool that sprays various media including ink and dye, but most often paint by a process of nebulization. Spray guns developed from the airbrush and are still considered a type of airbrush.-History:...
ed out soon after its release.
In late-1993, Rockett discovered that the then guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.At a young age, Richie Kotzen was taken by music and first began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven he was inspired by the band KISS to learn the electric guitar...
of Poison was having a relationship with Rockett's fiancee at the time, Deanna Eve. Kotzen was fired due to this incident.
Rockett and Brian Cocivera joined forces creating custom built drum kits called the Chop Shop Custom Drum Company.
After almost twenty years with Poison, Rockett released his first solo album, Glitter 4 Your Soul
Glitter 4 Your Soul
Glitter 4 Your Soul is the debut solo album by Poison drummer Rikki Rockett, released in 2003 . The album features former Poison band member Blues Saraceno on guitars...
on January 7, 2003 which was distributed online. The album was a tribute to 1970s glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
. He also guested on Britny Fox
Britny Fox
Britny Fox was an American Glam metal band from the Philadelphia area, initially active from 1985 to 1992 then subsequently reforming in 2000. They are best known for their music video for "Girlschool" and their hit "Long Way to Love" .-History:...
's Bite Down Hard
Bite Down Hard
Bite Down Hard is the first Britny Fox album to feature singer Tommy Paris. It also features guest appearances by then Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Poison drummer Rikki Rockett.-Track listing:...
.
In 2004 Rikki founded the "Brit Iron Rebels" a vintage and modern retro motorcycle internet group dedicated to the British Rocker motorcycle culture of the '50's & '60's.
In April 2006 the same year Poison celebrated their 20 year anniversary, Rockett made a guest appearance on TLC's new "Wrecks To Riches" auto overhaul series, helping to restore a 1969 Dodge Dart
Dodge Dart
The Dodge Dart is an automobile built by the Dodge division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1960-1976 in North America, with production extended to later years in various other markets. The Dart was introduced as a lower-priced, shorter wheelbase, full-size Dodge in 1960 and 1961, became a...
before giving Poison's new version of "We're an American Band
We're an American Band (song)
"We're an American Band" is a 1973 song by the band Grand Funk Railroad. It was the group's first number one single. Written by Don Brewer and produced by Todd Rundgren, the huge chart success of this single broadened Grand Funk's appeal to a much wider audience...
" a spin on the car's amped-up sound system
Sound reinforcement system
A sound reinforcement system is the combination of microphones, signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers that makes live or pre-recorded sounds louder and may also distribute those sounds to a larger or more distant audience...
.
On April 26, 2007, Rockett announced the creation of "Rockett Drum Works Inc". It is a drum manufacturing company, specializing in the creation of ultra custom drum kit
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
s, snare drum
Snare drum
The snare drum or side drum is a melodic percussion instrument with strands of snares made of curled metal wire, metal cable, plastic cable, or gut cords stretched across the drumhead, typically the bottom. Pipe and tabor and some military snare drums often have a second set of snares on the bottom...
s and custom accessories. Prior to setting up his enterprise, Rockett worked for Chop Shop Custom Drum. He departed after conflicting opinions with Chop Shop founder Brian Cocivera. Rockett recruited most of the staff from Chop Shop along with some newer staff members.
In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
in May 2007, Rockett discussed his lifelong love of the series during an interview with Maul Stanley. Rockett wore a Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
patch on his vest in Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
's "Fallen Angel
Fallen Angel (Poison song)
"Fallen Angel" is the second single from Open Up and Say...Ahh!, American hair metal band Poison's second album. The b-side of the seven inch was "Bad to Be Good"....
" music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
and he claimed that his favorite character is C-3PO
C-3PO
C-3PO is a robot character from the Star Wars universe who appears in both the original Star Wars films and the prequel trilogy. He is also a major character in the television show Droids, and appears frequently in the series' "Expanded Universe" of novels, comic books, and video games...
.
On September 19, 2007, Bosphorus Cymbals
Bosphorus Cymbals
Bosphorus is a cymbal manufacturer based in İstanbul, Turkey and Kennesaw, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta in the United States. The foundry is located near the Bosphorus Strait, from which the company draws its name. It is owned by three master cymbalsmiths, Ibrahim Yakici, Hasan Seker, and Hasan...
unveiled the "Rockett Ride"; a custom ride cymbal in 20" and 22" sizes, designed to Rockett's exact specifications.
In October 2008 Rockett married long time girlfriend Melanie Martel. On July 14, 2009, they had their first child, Jude Aaron Rockett.
Rikki currently holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
, under trainer Renato Magno and trains at Street Sports Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, located in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
.
Rockett is a vegan
Veganism
Veganism is the practice of eliminating the use of animal products. Ethical vegans reject the commodity status of animals and the use of animal products for any purpose, while dietary vegans or strict vegetarians eliminate them from their diet only...
.
False rape charge and exoneration
Rockett was arrested on Monday, March 24, 2008 on a rape warrant out of Mississippi after his flight from New Zealand landed at LAX. The alleged crime took place at the Silver Star Casino located on the ChoctawChoctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
reservation in Mississippi. The Silver Star Casino is owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is one of three federally recognized tribes of Choctaw Indians. On April 20, 1945, the tribe organized under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. Also in 1945 the Choctaw Indian Reservation was created in Neshoba and surrounding counties...
which is Choctaw and Federal jurisdiction. On May 22, 2008, Rockett was exonerated of all charges after it was determined that he was not even in the state of Mississippi during the time of the alleged crime. It is believed that someone by the name of John Minskoff impersonated Rockett to get someone to sleep with him.
Poison
- Look What the Cat Dragged In (1986)
- Open Up and Say...Ahh!Open Up and Say...Ahh!Open Up and Say... Ahh! is the second studio album by American glam metal band Poison, released in 1988 through the Enigma label. The album, which ultimately sold eight million copies worldwide , proved to be the band's most successful release...
(1988) - Flesh & BloodFlesh and Blood (Poison album)Flesh & Blood is the third studio album by American glam metal band Poison, released in 1990 through the Enigma label of Capitol Records. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard chartsand it sold over 7.2 million copies worldwide....
(1990) - Swallow This LiveSwallow This LiveSwallow This Live is the first live album by American glam metal band Poison, released in 1991 through Capitol Records. The album peaked at #51 on The Billboard 200...
(1991) - Native TongueNative Tongue (album)Native Tongue is the fourth studio album by American hard rock band Poison, released in 1993 through Capitol Records. It peaked at #16 on the Billboard 200, #20 on the UK Albums Chartand was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 21, 1993....
(1993) - Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986-1996Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986-1996Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986–1996 is the first greatest hits compilation CD from the Glam Metal band Poison. The album was released on November 26, 1996 by Capitol Records...
(1996) - Crack a Smile...and More!Crack a Smile- Personnel :* Bret Michaels – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar* Rikki Rockett – drums, percussion, backing vocals* Bobby Dall – bass, backing vocals* Blues Saraceno – lead & rhythm guitars, acoustic guitar, piano, backing vocals...
(2000) - Power to the PeoplePower to the People (Poison album)Power to the People is a music album from the American rock band Poison, released on June 13, 2000 on the band's independent label, Cyanide Music. It marked the return of the original lineup, together for the first time since 1991's Swallow This Live with the return of C.C...
(2000) - HollyweirdHollyweirdHollyweird is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Poison, released on March 21, 2002 through Cyanide Music and debuted at #103 on The Billboard 200 chart and #8 on the Independent Albums chart.-Musical style:...
(2002) - Best of Ballads & BluesBest of Ballads & Blues (album)Best of Ballads & Blues is a greatest hits compilation album from the American Hard rock band Poison, relaesed August 5, 2003. Unlike Poison's Greatest Hits: 1986-1996, this compilation focuses on the band's power ballads and blues-oriented songs and also includes two new acoustic recordings of...
(2003) - The Best Of Poison: 20 Years Of RockThe Best Of Poison: 20 Years Of RockThe Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock is a compilation album from the American rock band Poison, released to celebrate the band's 20 year anniversary. It has sold more than 1 million copies to date in the U.S as of September 2009....
(2006) - Poison'd (June 2007)
- Live, Raw & UncutLive, Raw & UncutLive, Raw & Uncut is a music dvd/cd combo from the Hard rock band Poison, released in 2008 for their summer tour. It sold around 2,400 copies in its first week of release to debut at position No...
(2008) - Poison – Box Set (Collector's Edition) (2009)
- Double Dose: Ultimate HitsDouble Dose: Ultimate HitsPoison - Double Dose: Ultimate Hits is a double disc greatest hits compilation album released May 3, 2011 by the Hard Rock band Poison to celebrate the band's 25th year Anniversary. The career-spanning collection features thirty five of the multi-platinum band's top hits and fan favorites...
(2011)