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- KID ROCK -
Bob 'Kid Rock' Ritchie (b.
Robert James Ritchie, Jan. 17, 1971) grew up in Romeo, Michigan, a
small rural town north of the Detroit metro area. Finding
small-town life stiflingly dull, Ritchie immersed himself in rap
music, learned to breakdance, and began making the talent-show
rounds in Detroit. Kid Rock recorded his first demos in 1988, and
eventually scored an opening slot at a Boogie Down Productions
gig. That gig, in turn, led to a contract with Jive
Records, which issued Kid Rock's debut album, Grits
Sandwiches for Breakfast, in 1990. |
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Moving to Brooklyn,
Kid hooked up with the small Continuum label, and moved his
brand of Rap further into Hard Rock with The Polyfuze Method,
released in 1993. After 2
years of touring Kid Rock began his next album, at
Detroit's White Room Studios. Early Mornin'
Stoned Pimp, released in 1996 on his own Top Dog Records,
featured members of the Black Crowes, Big Chief,
and the Howling Diablos. Shortly after Kid Rock set about forming his own band,
which he dubbed Twisted Brown Trucker.
While its membership
fluctuated early on, rapper Joe C. (b. Joseph Calleja) was
one of the first to join. The rest of the lineup included
guitarists Kenny Olson and Jason Krause, keyboardist
Jimmy Bones, drummer Stefanie Eulinberg, DJ/
turntablist Uncle Kracker (b. Matt Shafer, who had been
with Rock since the early '90s), and backing vocalists Misty
Love and Shirly Hayden. Atlantic Records decided
to take a chance on signing Rock. Devil Without a Cause
didn't do much upon its initial release in August 1998, but a big
promotional push helped make the album's Bawitdaba a
nationwide hit. The follow-up, Cowboy achieved similar
success, and suddenly, after a decade of trying, Kid Rock
had a Top 5 album. KR's
next released in 2000 his rarities collection The History Of
Rock, which contained lesser-known tracks from his earlier
albums, before returning with Cocky in 2001. While the
album was not as explosive a hit as its predecessor at first, Rock
remained in the spotlight due to his frequent USO concerts.
Then 'Picture' became a hit, featuring Sheryl
Crow. He returned to the studio
in the fall of 2003 resulting in the self-titled recording KID ROCK, releasing
Bad Company's 'Feel Like Makin' Love' as its first
single. Backed by Twisted Brown Trucker - Kid also
invited a few special guests to sit in. Blues guitar hero Kenny
Wayne Shepherd, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons
lends his vocals on Hillbilly Stomp. Hank Williams Jr.
shares vocals on the rave-up, Cadillac Pussy. Kid Rock will be coming to your neighborhood soon. And when
he does, make sure you catch him.
-LivinBlues
MP3-
Cowboy |
Picture | surf to
www.kidrock.com |
