Rikki Rockett

Infobox musical artist
Name = Rikki Rockett


Img_capt = Rikki Rockett live with Poison on July 11, 2008 at the Moondance Jam
Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Richard Allan Ream
Alias =
Born = Birth date and age|1961|8|8
Died =
Origin = Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Instrument = Drums
Genre = Glam metal, hard rock
Occupation = Drummer
Years_active = 1984–present
Label =
Associated_acts = Poison
URL = [http://www.rikkirockett.com/ www.rikkirockett.com]

Richard Allan Ream (born 8 August 1961), better known by the stage name Rikki Rockett, is an American drummer best known for his work with the glam metal band, Poison.

Biography

Born in Mechanicsburg, 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 salesman.

Rockett was always an integral part of Poison's success. 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 airbrushed 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 [http://www.chopshopdrums.com/ chop-shop drum company] .

After almost twenty years with Poison, Rockett released his first solo album, "Glitter 4 Your Soul" on 7 January 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 April 2006, 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 kits, snare drums 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 [Cite web|url=http://www.drummerszone.com/news/newsItem.php?n01ID=4570&type=3|title=Rockett Drum Works Poison drummer launches custom drum company] . Rockett recruited most of the staff from his old drum concern, the Chop Shop Drum Company, who he recently left, along with some newer staff members [Cite web|url=http://www.mikedolbear.com/story.asp?StoryID=1325|title=Rikki Rockett announces Rockett Drum Works] . He created the new company to express his personal concepts and create unique, high quality custom percussion instruments.

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. [cite web | url=http://www.maulstanley.com/interviews/rockett.htm | title=Maul Stanley Talks Star Wars with Ricki Rockett | publisher=MaulStanley.com | accessdate=2008-09-23] Rikki 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 " [http://bosphoruscymbals.com/newsmedia.html#7582622613916718230 Rockett Ride] "; a custom ride cymbal in 20" and 22" sizes, designed to Rikki's exact specifications.

Rockett is a well-known vegan, animal rights activist and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renato Magno.

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 Choctaw reservation in Mississippi. The Silver Star Casino is owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians which is Choctaw and Federal jurisdiction. cite news | url = http://search.clarionledger.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=100&keywords=rikki | title = Rocker's rape charge goes to DA |author=Clarion Ledger | date = 2008-03-29 | accessdate = 2008-03-31 ] 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. [ [http://knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=6325 KNAC.com - Rikki Rockett Exonerated of Rape Charge] ]

Discography

olo

*"Glitter 4 Your Soul" (2003)

Poison

*"Look What the Cat Dragged In" (1986)
*"Open Up and Say...Ahh!" (1988)
*"Flesh & Blood" (1990)
*"Swallow This Live" (1991)
*"Native Tongue" (1993)
*"" (1996)
*"Crack a Smile...and More!" (2000)
*"Power to the People" (2000)
*"Hollyweird" (2002)
*" Best of Ballads & Blues" (2003)
*"" (2006)
*"POISON'D" (June 2007)
*"Live, Raw & Uncut CD" (2008)

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

http://www.onthemat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4211

References

External links

* [http://www.rikkirockett.com/ Rikki Rockett Official Site]
* [http://myspace.com/rikkirockett Rikki Rockett Official MySpace Site]
* [http://www.rockettdrumworks.com/ Rockett Drum Works Official Site]
* [http://myspace.com/rockettdrumworks Rockett Drum Works Official MySpace Site]
* [http://www.poisonweb.com/ Poison Official Site]