From glam metal stardom to solo soul, the versatile evolution of Richie Kotzen
In short: How does a musician transition from playing in a 20-million-selling glam metal band to mastering jazz fusion and R&B? Richie Kotzen’s career is a masterclass in stylistic fluidity, moving from the high-octane energy of Poison and Mr. Big to a sophisticated blend of blues, funk, and soul.
Born in 1970, Richie Kotzen began his musical journey at age five on the piano, before being inspired by Kiss to pick up the electric guitar at seven. His technical proficiency was evident early on; by age 19, he had recorded his first solo instrumental album. His formative years were defined by a mastery of wide-intervals and fluid sweeping, techniques showcased in his 1989 video, Rock Chops.
Kotzen's career is marked by significant shifts in musical direction and band membership. In 1991, at age 21, he joined the glam metal band Poison, contributing to the album Native Tongue, which produced two top-twenty singles. His tenure ended in 1993 following a personal controversy involving drummer Rikki Rockett's former fiancée, Deanna Eve, whom Kotzen later married. He later joined Mr. Big in 1999, replacing Paul Gilbert.
Beyond mainstream rock, Kotzen has explored diverse genres, including jazz fusion and R&B. He has collaborated with diverse artists ranging from jazz legend Stanley Clarke to Gene Simmons. Since 2012, he has been the frontman for the rock supergroup The Winery Dogs alongside Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan. His stylistic versatility is further evidenced by his 2006 project, Ai Senshi Z×R, which featured rock covers of themes from the Gundam anime franchise.
Technically, Kotzen is known for his use of legato and sweeping. While he has utilized various signature gear, including Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters, and Cornford Amplification's RK100, his approach to playing has evolved. For a period starting around 2007, he opted to play exclusively with his fingers, though he has since returned to using a guitar pick.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Richie Kotzen
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