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*2001 ''[[Osmosis Jones]]'' soundtrack (performer)
*2001 ''[[Osmosis Jones]]'' soundtrack (performer)
*2001 ''[[Road Trip]]'' soundtrack (performer)
*2001 ''[[Road Trip]]'' soundtrack (performer)
*2001 moive Joe Dirt (david spade)
*2002 Uncle Kracker's ''No Stranger To Shame'' (producer)
*2002 Uncle Kracker's ''No Stranger To Shame'' (producer)
*2002 "WWF Forceable Entry" (Legs-Stacy Kiebler)
*2002 "WWF Forceable Entry" (Legs-Stacy Kiebler)

Revision as of 21:20, 1 August 2006

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Robert James Ritchie
File:Kidrock.jpg
BornJanuary 17, 1971
Romeo, Michigan
OccupationMusician
WebsiteOfficial site

Kid Rock (real name Robert James Ritchie) is an American rapper, singer, and rock musician. He was born January 17, 1971, in Romeo, Michigan.

Early years

Kid Rock was born Robert James Ritchie in the suburbs of Romeo, Michigan. Growing up, Ritchie and his father, a well-to-do car dealer in the area, frequently disagreed over the young Ritchie's lifestyle choices. Following a lawn mower accident that resulted in his brother, Billy, losing a leg, his father shifted the burden of holding down the house and all the reponsibilty of his brother on to the young Robert (as evidenced by the song "My Oedipus Complex"). This led to increased friction between the two.

Richie eventually left home and moved to the housing projects in Mount Clemens, Michigan, where he took his Sears brand turntables to the basement parties hoping for a chance to play. Bo Wisdom of Groove Time Production offered him an opportunity to spin for the crowd; their enthusiasm for the young DJ led Wisdom to dub him with his new moniker, after watching "that kid rock".

After working with Groove Time Productions and the Beastcrew laying down some demos, Jive Records offered him a contract at the relatively young age of 17. Against his parents' wishes, he signed the deal, and later he was part of the "Straight From The Underground Tour" with several heavyweights of rap including Ice Cube, Too $hort, D-Nice, and Yo-Yo.

In 1990, he released the album "Grits Sandwiches For Breakfast". Its first single, "Yo Da Lin In The Valley", was mostly ignored by radio as it dealt largely with cunnilingus. Central Michigan University was later levied a US$23,700 fine for airing it by the FCC.

The success and subsequent public ridicule of Vanilla Ice made Jive nervous about Kid Rock, and the label eventually dropped Rock from their roster. He was later picked up by an indie record label, Continuum, recording "The Polyfuze Method" in 1993. It saw some college radio success at Central Michigan University, and its first single, "Back From The Dead", became a Top 20 Hot Rap Track. The second single, "U Don't Know Me", flopped, and after 1994's "Fire It Up" EP, Contiuum dropped him from the label. 1993 also saw his collaboration with the Insane Clown Posse on the song "Is That You?!" from their debut full-length album Carnival of Carnage.

Kid started his own label, Top Dog, and from July 1994 through March 1995, released monthly demo tapes called "The Bootleg Series". In 1995, he took a job as a janitor at Whiterooms Studios largely in order to pay studio fees. In the process, he released the local classic "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp", of which he sold 100,000 copies out of his own basement. This success led him to once again push for a major label record deal.

On March 30, 1997, he performed a special showcase concert to attract major label attention; the only label that showed up was Atlantic Records. Following the performance, record executives said they loved him but expressed doubts about the strength of the material. Kid Rock returned to the studio and cut two additional demos, "I Got One For Ya" and "Somebody's Gotta Feel This", which finally clinched the record deal (for $100,000).

Mainstream success

In 1997, Kid Rock added Jason Krause and Stephanie Eulinberg to his band, joining Kenny Olson, Jimmie Bones, Uncle Kracker, Mike Bradford, and Joe C. In August of 1998, he released Devil Without a Cause behind the single "Welcome 2 The Party" and went on the Vans Warped Tour.

"Welcome 2 The Party" was ignored by audiences and "Devil" sat on the shelves collecting dust for 8 months. A chance meeting at a New York nightclub with MTV VJ Carson Daly led to a video of "I Am The Bullgod" to MTV and with Carson's support, it became a moderate hit.

After two notable live performances at MTV's "Fashionably Loud" and "Wanna B A VJ", Kid released the single "Bawitdaba" to renewed interest and sales. He performed with Aerosmith and Run DMC at MTV's 1999 VMA's, as well as at Woodstock 1999 and the Grammy Awards. He released three more singles from the album: "Cowboy"; "Only God Knows Why"; and "Wasting Time". Devil Without A Cause would eventually sell 11 million copies.

In 2000, after acquiring the rights to his early material, he released The History Of Rock, a collection of remixed or re-recorded songs. The only new track, "American Bad Ass", sampled the Metallica track "Sad But True" and was later used as The Undertaker's entrance song in the World Wrestling Federation. Later that year, he joined rock band Phish onstage for several songs at a concert in Las Vegas. At the end of 2000, Joe C died of celiac disease.

In 2001, Kid Rock released Cocky, which was marketed as the official follow up to Devil Without a Cause. Despite featuring all new songs, the album did not reach the same level of success, mainly due to the decline of rap metal and fan rejection of the fusion of country music into many of the tracks. However, the release of "Picture," a country influenced duet with Sheryl Crow, introduced Rock to a new audience and was ultimately the most successful single on the album. Rock has since gained country music acclaim for such notable performances as his performance of "Luckenbach, Texas" on the Waylon Jennings tribute album I've Always Been Crazy; and his appearance on Country Music Television's Crossroads episode with Hank Williams, Jr.

In 2003, Kid Rock returned with a self-titled album which delved even deeper into country music, although the first single was a cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love".

VH-1 aired A VH-1 Kid Rock Christmas on December 14, 2003. Rock performed classic tracks along with several new tunes, and along with Hank Williams, Jr., Shooter Jennings and Jesse James prepared Christmas (was actually Thanksgiving) dinner for Dre Dmato, Lee Ann Rimes, and Kid's parents. He later added a second country hit with "Single Father" in 2004.

Kid Rock made cameo appearances in the music videos for Gretchen Wilson's songs "Redneck Woman" and "All Jacked Up".

On February 28, 2006, Kid Rock released his first live album, Live Trucker, comprising songs from his homestands of Clarkston (on September 1, 2000, and August 26 through August 28, [[2004]) and Detroit's Cobo Hall (March 26, 2004). The album contained the last two performances of Joe C on "Devil Without A Cause" and "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp" as well has Gretchen Wilson dueting on "Picture". Other highlight included "Only God Knows Why", the medley "Somebody's Gotta Feel This-Fist Of Rage", and a thrash metal take on Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love".

Kid Rock today

Kid Rock's talent can be illustrated by the fact he is credited on his albums for not only vocals, but guitar (steel, rhythm, electric and acoustic), bass, percussion, mixing, mellotron, keyboard, backing vocals, slide guitar, scratching, programming, producer, and even banjo. He is famous for his high-energy personality on and off stage. Kid Rock's music has changed and evolved considerably over time, which has caused him to lose and gain millions of fans.

Kid Rock And Twisted Brown Trucker will release a live DVD of their performance at the Palace of Auburn Hills on May 12 and May 13, 2006 by the end of 2006.

A new studio album from Kid Rock is in the works and is set for release in early 2007. In a recent interview with Real Detroit Weekly, Rock said he is attempting to create "a timeless rock-n-roll record" so there will be no rap or country on it; Rock also said the record will be produced by Rick Rubin and will feature the J. Geils Band's Peter Wolfe [1].

Kid Rock appeared in an episode of CSI: NY called All Access as himself, which aired on CBS on April 26, 2006. In the episode, Kid Rock is questioned by investigators as the last person to see his limo driver alive.

Twisted Brown Trucker

Twisted Brown Trucker was Bob Ritchie's band formed in 1994, with Bob Ebeling in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Current members

Former members

Personal life

File:Kid Rock - mug shot.jpg
Kid Rock, following his 2005 arrest

Kid Rock has one son, Robert James Ritchie Jr., born June 14, 1993 to Kelley South Russell, a Detroit auto worker. In the fall of 2001 Kid Rock began dating actress and model Pamela Anderson. In April 2002 they announced their engagement, but during the fall of 2003 Kid Rock and Anderson broke up. However on July 18, 2006 Anderson announced that the pair are engaged again. [1] The couple wed in St. Tropez on July 29, 2006. [2]

Kid Rock is known for outspoken political views. He has been a supporter of U.S. President George W. Bush. He was scheduled to perform at a pre-inauguration youth concert for President Bush, but the profanity and sexual innuendo in his lyrics caused the Bush campaign to reconsider. Rock's lyrics for "Pimp of the Nation," which mention "pimpin' Barbara Bush," either the President's mother or daughter, may also have acted as a deterrent.

Kid Rock was arrested in February of 2005 and charged with misdemeanor assult after a fight with a strip club DJ in Nashville, Tennessee.[3]

The California pornography company Red Light District claims to have acquired a 1999 sex tape in which Kid Rock and Creed frontman Scott Stapp engage in sex acts with four groupies. They plan to release the tape in 2006. Counsel for Kid Rock and Scott Stapp have obtained a temporary injunction to prevent the video from being distributed online. Rock's attorneys are seeking to convert the TRO into a Permanent Injunction, thereby assuring that the tape never sees the light of day.

Discography

Studio albums

Release Date Album Title Billboard Peak
November 11, 2003 Kid Rock 8
November 20, 2001 Cocky 3
May 30, 2000 The History of Rock 3
August 18, 1998 Devil Without a Cause 4
January 9, 1996 Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp
March 23, 1993 The Polyfuze Method
December 11, 1990 Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast

Live albums

Release Date Album Title Billboard Peak
February 28, 2006 Live Trucker 12

Singles

Year Song US Hot 100 U.S. Mainstream Rock US Modern Rock Hot Country Singles & Tracks Adult Contemporary Album
2004 "I Am" 28 Kid Rock
2004 "Jackson, Mississippi" 14 Kid Rock
2003 "Single Father" 33 Kid Rock
2003 "Picture" 4 21 17 Cocky
2002 "Lonely Road of Faith" 15 Cocky
2002 "You Never Met a Mother Fucker Quite Like Me" 32 Cocky
2001 "Forever" 18 21 Cocky
2000 "American Bad Ass" 20 33 The History of Rock
2000 "Only God Knows Why" 19 5 13 Devil Without a Cause
2000 "Wasting Time" 35 Devil Without a Cause
2000 "Bawitdaba" 11 10 Devil Without a Cause
1999 "Cowboy" 82 10 5 Devil Without a Cause
1999 "I Am The Bullgod" 31 Devil Without a Cause

Other releases

Fire It Up! (EP, January 1, 1994)

The Polyfuze Method Revisited (May 30, 1997)

Other singles

  • "Heaven" w/ Uncle Kracker, Paradime
  • "Naked Women And Beer" w/ Hank Williams Jr
  • "New Skin" w/ Method Of Mayhem
  • "The F-Word" w/ Hank Williams Jr
  • "Gimmie Back My Bullets" w/ Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" w/ Nickleback
  • "Luckenbach, Texas " w/ Kenny Chesney

Other appearances

  • 1989 Doc Rounce Cee "And The Groove Time Posse" (scratches)
  • 1990 Double E MC Twinns "Sex On The Brain" (producer,performer)
  • 1991 "Yo Da Lin In The Valley" 12" vinyl
  • 1991 "X Rated Raps" (performer)
  • 1991 Beastcrew's Chapter 1 album (performer)
  • 1992 ICP's Carnival Of Carnage (performer)
  • 1992 "Back From The Dead" single
  • 1993 "U Don't Know Me" single
  • 1994-1995 Bootleg Series Demo Tapes (cassette)
  • 1994 Harm's Way "Cut Corners (EP)" (producer,performer)
  • 1994 Harm's Way "Chiato Diablo" (producer,performer)
  • 1996 "Detroit Rust City Soundtrack" (performer)
  • 1998 The Howling Diablos' Its My Party EP (performer)
  • 1999 Eminem's Slim Shady LP (scratches on "Just Don't Give A F-ck")
  • 1999 "Deep Porn Soundtrack" (performer)
  • 2000 Maximum Kid Rock
  • 2000 Devil Knows My Name DVD
  • 2000 Star Profile
  • 2000 "Motorcity Motormouth DVD
  • 2000 Uncle Kracker's Double Wide (producer, performer)
  • 2000 The Crow: Salvation soundtrack (performer)
  • 2000 Run DMC's Crown Royal (performer)
  • 2000 Methods Of Mayhem self-titled (performer)
  • 2000 South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut soundtrack (performer)
  • 2000 Hank Williams Jr's Stormy (performer)
  • 2000 A Tribute To Kid Rock
  • 2000 Robert Bradley's Black Water Surprise (performer, producer)
  • 2000 Sun Records Recording (performer)
  • 2000 Any Given Sunday soundtrack (performer)
  • 2000 Murder 1's American Junkie (performer)
  • 2000 "WWF Vol 4" (Chris Jericho Theme Song)
  • 2000 The Simpsons: Kill The Alligator And Run (guest voice)
  • 2001 Osmosis Jones soundtrack (performer)
  • 2001 Road Trip soundtrack (performer)
  • 2001 moive Joe Dirt (david spade)
  • 2002 Uncle Kracker's No Stranger To Shame (producer)
  • 2002 "WWF Forceable Entry" (Legs-Stacy Kiebler)
  • 2003 A Tribute To Weylon Jennings (performer)
  • 2003 Charlie's Angels soundtrack (performer)
  • 2003 Lynyrd Skynyrd's Vicious Cycle (performer)
  • 2004 Uncle Kracker's 72 And Sunny (producer)
  • 2004 Willie Nelson's Angels And Outlaws DVD (performer)
  • 2005 Sheryl Crow's Best Of (performer)
  • 2005 Allison Moorer's Show (performer)
  • 2005 R. L. Burnside's A Bothered Mind (performer, producer)
  • 2005 Kenny Wayne Sheppard's A Place You're In (performer)
  • 2005 A Tribute To Kid Rock And His Roots
  • 2005 Paradime's 11 Steps Down (performer)
  • 2005 Gretchen Wilson's "All Jacked Up Target Exclusive CD"(Other Side Of Me)
  • 2005 Troy Olsen "N/A" (performer)
  • 2006 DMC's Checks,Thugs And Rock N Roll (producer, performer)
  • 2006 Bob Seger Face The Promise (performer due Sept 12th,2006)
  • 2006 Jerry Lee Lewis Last Man Standing (performer due Sept 26th,2006)

See also

References

  1. ^ Anderson, Pamela. "I'm Getting Remarried!!!". Retrieved 2006-07-29.
  2. ^ "Pam ANderson, Kid Rock wed in St. Tropez". CNN. Retrieved 2006-07-29.
  3. ^ Hall, Sarah. "Kid Rock's Bar Brawl". E! Online. Retrieved 2006-07-29.
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