Richie Kotzen
Background information
Born	February 3, 1970(1970-02-03) (age 37) Reading Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genre(s)	Rock, Jazz fusion, Soul music
Instrument(s)	Guitar
Years active	1989 – present
Associated acts	Poison Mr. Big
Website	richiekotzen.com
Notable instrument(s)
Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster

Richie Kotzen (born February 3, 1970 in Reading, Pennsylvania) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 615 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (640 × 624 pixels, file size: 384 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Rock music (disambiguation). ... Jazz fusion (or jazz-rock fusion or fusion) is a musical genre that merges elements of jazz with other styles of music, particularly pop, rock, folk, reggae, funk, metal, country, R&B, hip hop, electronic music and world music. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... See also: 1989 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1989 Record labels established in 1989 // January 7 - Genesis 88 and Sunrise/Back to the Future stage large-scale illegal Acid House party in London January 14 - Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in Russia. ... Poison is an American glam metal band which originally achieved popular success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. ... Mr. ... It has been suggested that Fender Amplifier History be merged into this article or section. ... A Fender Stratocaster with rosewood fingerboard and three-tone sunburst finish. ... It has been suggested that Fender Amplifier History be merged into this article or section. ... 1950s-style Telecaster with natural finish, with metal bridge cover removed. ... is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... , Reading (IPA:) is the county seat of Berks County, Pennsylvania and the center of the Greater Reading Area. ... For the UK magazine, see Guitarist (magazine). ...

At a young age, Richie Kotzen was taken by music and first began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven he was inspired by New York City band KISS to learn the electric guitar. Relentlessly developing chops and his own unique voice on the guitar, he started his career in a band named Arthurs Museum. Kotzen was eventually discovered by Shrapnel Records' Mike Varney, and he recorded his first album by the age of 19. During that same year, he also graced the cover of several publications including Guitar World Magazine. He created the video Rock Chops for REH video in 1989, highlighting many of his formative techniques, including using wide-intervals and fluid sweeping. New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. ... A guitar-oriented music label formed out of Mike Varneys Guitar Spotlight column in the back of Guitar Player magazine, which featured a photograph and a little paragraph write-up of various guitarists whove sent in snippets of their playing. ... Mike Varney is an American hard rock record producer, publisher and impresario. ... What is meant by the term sweep picking is when the guitarist picks the string downwards and then the next string below it downwards its called a Sweep. This also applies for upward strokes. ...

In 1991, Kotzen made his big break when he joined the rock band Poison at age 21, co-writing and performing on the album Native Tongue. This album produced two top twenty singles which Richie wrote, Stand and Until You Suffer Some(Fire & Ice). Kotzen was subsequently fired from the band when it was discovered that he had been romantically involved with Deanna Eve, the ex-fiance of Poison drummer Rikki Rockett. Kotzen and Eve later married and divorced. In 1999 Kotzen replaced Paul Gilbert as guitarist in the mainstream rock band Mr. Big. Kotzen maintained the band's enormous success, performing on the Mr. Big record Get Over It, which sold more than 175,000 copies in its first two weeks in Japan, eventually reaching platinum status. Kotzen also contributed guitars to Mr. Big's subsequent release Actual Size. The record included the Kotzen song Shine, which debuted at number one on Japanese radio charts. Following the disbanding of Mr. Big, Kotzen released the solo album Change, in 2003. The title track, and the song Get A Life were featured in TV commercials throughout Japan. Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Poison is an American glam metal band which originally achieved popular success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. ... Native Tongue is the fourth studio album by glam metal band Poison. ... Rikki Rockett (born Richard Allan Ream, 8 August 1961, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania) is best known as the drummer for the American glam metal band, Poison. ... This article is about the year. ... Paul Brandon Gilbert (November 6, 1966) is a guitarist best known for his work with Racer X and Mr. ... Mr. ... Get Over It is an album by hard rock band Mr. ... Actual Size is an album by hard rock band Mr. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 2002 Kotzen bought a commercial building in Los Angeles and established a recording Studio/Production company. He has since been producing acclaimed solo albums and collaborating with various figures in rock, jazz, and fusion including jazz legend Stanley Clarke. Also see: 2002 (number). ... Stanley Clarke (born 30 June 1951) is an American musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and bass guitar as well as his numerous film and television scores. ...

In mid 2006 Kotzen was the opening act in Japan for the Rolling Stones on their Bigger Bang tour.

Guitar playing style

Richie has a unique style, which he has described as a mix of rock, blues, jazz, fusion, pop and soul music. Of his albums, he claims he is most proud of Vertú. Kotzen utilizes a heavy amount of legato, tapping and sweeping in his playing. In musical notation legato indicates that musical notes are played smoothly. ... This article is about the music technique. ... What is meant by the term sweep picking is when the guitarist picks the string downwards and then the next string below it downwards its called a Sweep. This also applies for upward strokes. ...

Instruments and equipment

Richie Kotzen has used Fender electric guitars for most of his career. His most notable instruments are his signature model Telecasters and Stratocasters, as well as other custom made models. Currently, there are two Richie Kotzen signature models, made by Fender Japan - a Stratocaster (STR-145RK) and a Telecaster (TLR-155RK). Both guitars feature ash bodies with flame laminated maple caps, maple necks and one piece maple fretboards with 22 super jumbo frets. The Telecaster model features a DiMarzio Chopper T pickup in the bridge position (single spaced humbucker) and a DiMarzio Twang King in the neck position. The Stratocaster is fit with three custom made DiMarzio single coil pickups. It has been suggested that Fender Amplifier History be merged into this article or section. ... 1950s-style Telecaster with natural finish, with metal bridge cover removed. ... A Fender Stratocaster with rosewood fingerboard and three-tone sunburst finish. ... It has been suggested that Fender Amplifier History be merged into this article or section. ... A Fender Stratocaster with rosewood fingerboard and three-tone sunburst finish. ... 1950s-style Telecaster with natural finish, with metal bridge cover removed. ... 1950s-style Telecaster with natural finish, with metal bridge cover removed. ... A Fender Stratocaster with rosewood fingerboard and three-tone sunburst finish. ...

At the beggining of his career, Richie Kotzen used Ibanez guitars and Laney amplifiers, later moving on to Fender guitars and Marshall amplifiers in the early 1990's. He used Marshall Super Lead, JCM800 and JCM900 models. This article is about the guitar manufacturer. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... It has been suggested that Fender Amplifier History be merged into this article or section. ... Look up Marshall in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up Marshall in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

In 2005, Cornford Amplification issued a Richie Kotzen signature model - RK100, a single channel tube amp head developed and designed in collaboration with Kotzen to suit his expansive playing style. There is also a matching signature model speaker cabinet, equipped with four Celestion Vintage 30 12" speakers. Both the amplifier head and the speaker cabinet are the only Cornford models fit with Kotzen-style black tolex covering. However, if on tour, Kotzen will use amplifiers supplied by the venue, as requested, most likely Cornford models or Marshall JCM900 master volume heads. Celestion is a British maker of loudspeakers. ... Look up Marshall in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Kotzen prefers not to use many pedals (effects in general) when playing live. Therefore, currently he only uses a Boss TU-2 pedal tuner and a footswitch to control the gain level of his Cornford amplifier. However, during his career, he has used Sobbat DriveBreaker distortion pedals (DB-1, DB-2 and DB-3), a Guyatone Wah-Rocker, a Dunlop Crybaby and Rotovibe pedal, a Boss DD-3 delay, Boss OC-2 octave and Boss CE-5 chorus pedals, etc. Look up boss in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Further information

Richie is now living in Los Angeles, California. Besides playing the guitar, his hobbies include exercise and sports, especially basketball. Richie has said that if he hadn't become a professional musician, he would have liked to play professional basketball. Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ...

Discography

(52 albums so far)

- Solo Albums -

• (1989) Richie Kotzen
• (1990) Fever Dream
• (1991) Electric Joy
• (1994) Mother Head's Family Reunion
• (1995) Inner Galactic Fusion Experience
• (1996) Wave of Emotion
• (1996) Times Gonna Tell (EP)
• (1997) Something to Say
• (1998) What Is
• (1999) Bipolar Blues
• (1999) Break It All Down
• (2001) Slow
• (2003) Acoustic Cuts
• (2003) Change
• (2004) Get Up
• (2004) The Best of Richie Kotzen
• (2006) Instrumental Collection: The Shrapnel Years
• (2006) Aisenshi ZxR (covers of songs from the Gundam series)
• (2006) Into The Black
• (2007) Return Of The Mother Head's Family Reunion (Japan & Europe)
• (2007) Go Faster (US only)

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- With Greg Howe -

• (1995) Tilt
• (1997) Kotzen/Howe Project

- Former Bands -

Arthurs Museum

• (1988) Gallery Closed

Poison

• (1993) Native Tongue

Mr. Big

• (1999) Get Over It
• (2000) Deep Cuts
• (2001) Actual Size
• (2002) In Japan
• (2004) Influences & Connections - Vol. 1

Vertú

• (1999) Vertú (project with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White)

Forty Deuce

• (2005) Nothing to Lose

- Collaborations -

• (1996) Sticky Wicked (with TM Stevens)
• (1996) Ground Zero (with TM Stevens)
• (1996) Only You (with TM Stevens)
• (1999) Not So Innocent (with Jesse's Powertrip)
• (2000) Mikazuki in Rock (with Mikazuki Tekkodan)
• (2000) Submarine (with Gregg Bissonette)
• (2003) All That I'd Be (with Steve Saluto)
• (2004) Nowhere To Go (with Takayoshi Omura)
• (2006) Rough Beat (with Steve Saluto)
• (2006) Avalon (with Richie Zito)
• (2007) Live For Tomorrow (with Marco Mendoza)

- Various Artists Albums -

• (1991) Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey: Music from the Motion Picture
• (1992) The Guitars That Rule The World - Vol. 1
• (1994) L.A. Blues Authority Volume V: Cream Of The Crop
• (1996) Crossfire - (A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn)
• (2000) Bat Head Soup: A Tribute to Ozzy
• (2001) Stone Cold Queen: A Tribute to Queen
• (2002) One Way Street: A Tribute To Aerosmith CD
• (2002) An All Star Lineup Performing The Songs Of Pink Floyd
• (2004) Spirit Lives On: The Music Of Jimi Hendrix Revisited Vol. 1
• (2005) Numbers From The Beast - An All Stars Salute To Iron Maiden

Videography

• (1989) Rock Chops
• (1993) Seven Days Live (Live shot concert with Poison)(re-released 2006)
• (1994) Mother Head's family Reunion (Videoclip from the Mother Head's family Reunion Album)
• (1996) Wave of Emotion (Videoclip from the Wave of Emotion Album)
• (1997) Something To Say (Videoclip from the Something To Say Album)
• (2001) Don't Wanna Lie (Videoclip from the Slow Album)
• (2001) Shine (Videoclip from Mr. Big's Actual Size Album)
• (2002) Hi-Tech Rock Guitar
• (2005) Live In South America

External links

• Official Richie Kotzen site
• Richie Kotzen Live in Argentina
• http://www.myspace.com/richiekotzen (Official MySpace page)
• http://groups.myspace.com/MHFR (official MySpace Richie Kotzen group)