Kid Rock, aka Robert James Ritchie, has been a hot tabloid topic of late. Rock
recently married Playboy model and actress Pamela Anderson on a yacht in St.
Tropez, he was arrested for an alleged assault in 2005, and he’s scrambling
to prevent the release of a sex tape before the end of the year. But on a warm
summer evening in Indianapolis, Indiana, you could find a shirtless, tanned
Kid Rock performing an energetic and entertaining set without a care in the
world at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana, complete with
his own stable of pole-dancing girls. Doing what he does best, Rock did not
dissapoint his adoring crowd.
Some people get lost in the distractions and fail to recognize Kid Rock's diverse
talents beyond singing and rapping, Rock is a musician’s musician; playing
acoustic, electric, rhythm and bass guitars, mellotron, keyboards, and banjo.
Kid Rock’s music has come a long way from the early 90’s where he
got his start as a DJ in Michigan, spinning records for parties where he was
given his stage name after watch “that kid rock.” Twisted Brown
Trucker is Bob Ritchie's band formed in 1994 in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
Landing his first recording contract at age 17 with Jive Records, Rock performed
on the "Straight From The Underground Tour" with several heavyweights
of rap including Ice Cube, Too $hort, D-Nice, and Yo-Yo. KR then moved to Continuum,
recording "The Polyfuze Method" in 1993 which produced the single
"Back From The Dead" which became a Top 20 Hot Rap Track. However,
a spot on the charts didn’t keep Contiuum’s interest and he was
dropped from the label.
Kid
Rock Live Photo Gallery
After more demos and showcases, Kid Rock landed a deal with Atlantic Records.
In August of 1998, he released “Devil Without a Cause” with the
single "Welcome 2 The Party" and joined the Vans Warped Tour. But
it was a chance meeting with MTV’s Carson Daly that led to a video of
"I Am The Bullgod" that gave Rock highly desired MTV exposure. He
performed with Aerosmith and Run DMC at MTV's 1999 VMA's, Woodstock 1999, and
the Grammy Awards. “Devil Without A Cause” went on to sell 11 million
copies.
In 2000, he released “The History Of Rock,” a collection of remixed
or re-recorded songs. The only new track, "American Bad Ass," a sampled
"Sad But True" by Metallica, which was also used as The Undertaker's
entrance song for the World Wrestling Federation. In 2001, Kid Rock released
“Cocky,” but the album didn’t fair as well as his prior releases.
The release of "Picture," a country influenced duet with Sheryl Crow,
was the most successful single on the album. Since then, Rock has become a little
bit more country, with his performance of "Luckenbach, Texas" on the
“I've Always Been Crazy,” a Waylon Jennings tribute album 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 slides even further
into country although the first single was a cover of Bad Company's "Feel
Like Makin' Love." In 2006, Rock released his first live album, Live Trucker,
which is compiled of performances from his hometown, The Motor City.
Kid Rock is preparing a new album which is scheduled to be released 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.
The Band
Kid Rock-Vocals, guitar
Jason Krause-Metal guitar, acoustic guitar
Jimmie Bones- Keyboard, organ, piano, clavinet, Wurlitzer, harp, Jew's harp
Stefanie Eulinberg -Drums, vocals
Aaron Julison -Bass, vocals
Paradime -Turntables, vocals
Karen Newman, Lauren Creamer, Thornetta Davis, Misty Love-Vocals
Discography
Grits Sandwiches For Breakfast-1990
Polyfuze Method-1993
Fire It Up! -1994
Early Mornin Stoned Pimp-1996
The Polyfuze Method Revisited-1997
Devil Without a Cause-1998
The History of Rock -2000
Kid Rock-2003
Live Trucker-2006
The Tour
08/18/06 Kelseyville, CA Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa
08/26/06 Boyne Falls, MI Boyne Mountain Resort
By
Gwyn Tyme
