Rikki Rockett

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Rikki Rockett

Rikki Rockett live with Poison on July 11, 2008 at the Moondance Jam
Background information
Birth name Richard Allan Ream
Born August 8, 1961 (1961-08-08) (age 48)
Origin Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Glam metal, hard rock
Occupations Drummer
Instruments Drums
Years active 1983–present
Associated acts Poison
Website www.rikkirockett.com

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

Contents

[edit] 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 chop-shop 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 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[1]. Rockett recruited most of the staff from Chop Shop along with some newer staff members.[2]

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.[3] 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.

[edit] 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 Choctaw reservation in Mississippi. The Silver Star Casino is owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians which is Choctaw and Federal jurisdiction. [4] 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.[5]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Solo

[edit] Poison

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Rockett Drum Works Poison drummer launches custom drum company". http://www.drummerszone.com/news/newsItem.php?n01ID=4570&type=3. 
  2. ^ "Rikki Rockett announces Rockett Drum Works". http://www.mikedolbear.com/story.asp?StoryID=1325. 
  3. ^ "Maul Stanley Talks Star Wars with Ricki Rockett". MaulStanley.com. http://www.maulstanley.com/interviews/rockett.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-23. 
  4. ^ Clarion Ledger (2008-03-29). "Rocker's rape charge goes to DA". http://search.clarionledger.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=100&keywords=rikki. Retrieved 2008-03-31. 
  5. ^ KNAC.com - Rikki Rockett Exonerated of Rape Charge

[edit] External links

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Poison
Bret Michaels • C.C. DeVille • Bobby Dall • Rikki Rockett
Former members
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Videos
Singles
Related articles
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