Name | Kid Rock |
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Landscape | Yes |
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Background | solo_singer |
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Birth name | Robert James Ritchie |
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Born | January 17, 1971Romeo, Michigan, U.S. |
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Genre | Rock, hip hop, heavy metal, country |
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Occupation | Musician, Songwriter, Actor |
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Years active | 1988–present |
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Associated acts | Uncle Kracker, Joe C., Champtown, Yelawolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd |
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Label | Atlantic, Jive, Top Dog |
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Website |
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Robert James "Bob" Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations. Kid Rock released several studio albums that mostly went unnoticed before his 1998 record ''Devil Without a Cause'', released with Atlantic Records, sold 11 million albums behind the hits, "Bawitdaba", "Cowboy", and "Only God Knows Why". In 2000, he released ''The History of Rock,'' a compilation of remixed and remastered versions of songs from previous albums as well as the hit single, "American Bad Ass" and the previously unreleased "Abortion".
Kid Rock released the follow-up in 2001, ''Cocky''. After a slow start, his country-flavored hit "Picture" with Sheryl Crow resurrected the album and it went gold as a single and pushed the album's sales over 5 million. It was followed by 2003's self-titled release, which did not chart a major hit. In 2006 he released ''Live Trucker'', a live album.
In 2007 Kid Rock released ''Rock n Roll Jesus'', which produced a hit in "All Summer Long". It was his first worldwide smash hit, charting #1 in eight countries across Europe and in Australia. ''Rock N Roll Jesus'' sold 5 million albums worldwide and was certified triple platinum in the U.S. He released ''Born Free'' on November 16, 2010. It was announced on June 16, 2011 that "Born Free" was certified platinum by the 'Recording Industry Association Of America' (RIAA) for selling more than one million copies. This gives Kid Rock his sixth Platinum album certification.
Early life
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie was born on January 17, 1971 in
Romeo, Michigan to William "Bill" Ritchie, a car dealer who owned several local dealerships, and Susan Ritchie. His family also owned a six-acre
orchard and Ritchie regularly helped pick apples and cared for the family's horses. He has three siblings: two are older, brother William "Billy" Ritchie and sister Carol Ritchie; and one is younger, sister
Jill Ritchie who is an actress. Ritchie found small-town life dull; he became interested in
rap music, learned how to
breakdance and participated in talent shows in the
Detroit area. At age eleven he joined a
breakdance crew called the Furious Funkers, and taught himself to work a cheap belt-driven
turntable. In high school, Ritchie DJed at parties for beer. He eventually joined Bo Wisdom of Groove Time Productions, in
Mt. Clemens, Michigan to perform basement parties for thirty dollars a night. He was then given his stage name; club goers dubbed him "Kid Rock" after they had enjoyed watching "that white kid rock."
Rock started rapping and joined a local hip hop group, The Beast Crew. It was composed of The Blackman, Champtown, KDC, Chris "Doc Roun-Cee" Pouncy. Rock befriended producer D-Nice of the legendary hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions. When Rock opened for BDP one night, D-Nice invited an A&R; representative from Jive Records to see him perform. This meeting led to a demo deal, which developed into a full record contract.
Against his parents' wishes, Rock signed the deal at age seventeen. Despite his new record deal, he had a falling out with The Beast Crew when he signed over fellow member Champtown (the two have become friends again since). They left his vocals on the tracks of their debut underground album "Chapter 1: He Don't Want Us No More," against his wishes. Rock later became part of the Straight From The Underground Tour alongside several heavyweights of rap including Ice Cube, Too Short, D-Nice, Mac Dre, and Yo-Yo.
Career
On December 30, 1990 Kid Rock released his debut album ''
Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast''. As noted by
Insane Clown Posse member
Violent J, this album made Kid Rock one of the two biggest rap stars in Detroit in 1990, along with local
independent rapper
Esham. Though Jive Records did not push the album it gained infamy when radio station WSUC-FM (90.5) of Cortland, NY was fined $23,700 by the FCC for playing the song Yo Da-Lin In the Valley then the largest fine against a radio station. Kid Rock's career had began to decline towards the end of 1990. Jive Records released Kid Rock from his contract in 1991. Once back in Detroit he became friends with
Uncle Kracker after battling his brother in a freestyle rapping competition; Uncle Kracker became Kid Rock's DJ.
In late 1991 Kid Rock was picked up by an independent record label called Continuum Records. Though Insane Clown Posse's Violent J disliked Kid Rock's rapping style, he paid Kid Rock to appear on his group's first album, ''Carnival of Carnage'', in an attempt to gain notice for the album. Kid Rock showed up to record the song "Is That You?" intoxicated, but re-recorded his vocals and record scratching the following day. In March 1993, Continuum released his second album ''The Polyfuze Method'', which featured a more rock music-oriented sound with Kid Rock teaching himself how to play several different instruments including guitar, drums, keyboard and organ. The album saw some local college radio success at Central Michigan University with the tracks "Back From The Dead" and "Balls In Your Mouth". He released "U Don't Know Me" as the first single off the album, but it failed to chart, and the music video received little airplay on major music video channels. Kid Rock re-released "Back From The Dead" as a single to mainstream radio, but that too failed as a single. The album has sold around 15,000 copies. In 1992 Kid Rock appeared in the song "Is That You?" of the Carnival of Carnage by the Insane Clown Posse.
He released an Extended play EP called Fire It Up (EP) in 1993 The EP featured the song I Am the Bullgod which wouldn't be a hit until six years later Continuum didn't see a future with Kid Rock after this and released him from his contract in 1994
He moved back to Detroit where his on again off again relationship with Kelly South resulted in a son Robert James Ritchie Jr. Kid Rock released monthly demo tapes dubbed The Bootleg Series which featured demos of him and other up-and coming rappers and garage rock bands in the Detroit area Around the same time Kid Rock formed his back up band Twisted Brown Trucker Band later recruiting Joseph Joe C. Calleja who he met at a 1994 concert as part of the group In 1995 Rock took a job as a janitor at Whiterooms Studios to pay studio fees When he wasn't working, Kid Rock recorded the material that eventually made up his fourth album Early Morning Stoned Pimp which Rock released on his own label Top Dog Records During the recording process he met piano player Jimmie Bones who joined the band soon after The album was released February 12, 1996. A loan from his father aided the release. Kid Rock sold 6,000 copies from the trunk of his car including after his concerts With EMSP local success he released The Polyfuze Method in 1993 with I Am The Bullgod
Lava/Atlantic Records A&R; man Andy Karp was interested, after seeing Kid Rock in Cleveland in December 1996 and again in March 1997 Following a two song demo tape containing Somebody's Gotta Feel This and I Got One For Ya [Jason Flom] supported Karp in signing Kid Rock for $100,000 However when recording sessions began Atlantic wanted more of a rock sound and didn't initially like Cowboy Devil Without A Cause and Only God Knows Why They asked Rock to take out I'm going platinum on Devil Without A Cause's chorus but he refused The conflict slowed down production however the album was completed on schedule with Rock mostly playing all the instruments himself
''Devil Without a Cause'' (1997–2002)
In 1997, Kid Rock added drummer/vocalist
Stefanie Eulinberg to his band, joining
Kenny Olson,
Jason Krause, Jimmie Bones,
Uncle Kracker, Misty Love, Shirley Hayden and
Joe C.. On August 18, 1998, Atlantic released ''
Devil Without a Cause'' behind the single "Welcome 2 The Party." Kid Rock went on the
Vans Warped Tour to support the album, performing one of his first New York City shows at Luna Lounge on the Lower East Side during the CMJ convention.
"Devil Without Cause Im Goin Platinum"
Sales of "Welcome 2 The Party" and ''Devil'' were slow, though the 1998 Warped Tour in
Northampton, Massachusetts stimulated regional interest in
Massachusetts and
New England. This led to substantial airplay in the summer and fall of 1998 on rock staples in Massachusetts
WZLX and
WAAF for the single "I Am The Bullgod." In December 1998, while dj'ing at a club he met and became friends with MTV host
Carson Daly. He performed on ''MTV Fashionably Loud'' in Miami, then on MTV's ''Wanna B A VJ'' doing "My Name Is Rock" and was the DJ for ''TRL'' on the Spring Break Special as well as a judge on ''Say What Karaoke''. This raised his profile so by April 1999 ''Devil Without a Cause'' had achieved a
gold disc. In May 1999 the single "
Bawitdaba" off the album was released to radio outlets, and by June, ''Devil'' had gone platinum. Kid Rock went on his first major tour, Limptropolis, with
Limp Bizkit and
Staind. By the time he made his career defining performance at
Woodstock 1999 on July 24, 1999, he was double platinum. The following single "
Cowboy" was an even bigger hit. It was a mix of southern rock, country and rap that made the Top 40. Rock's next single, the rock ballad "
Only God Knows Why", was the biggest hit off the album charting at No 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. By the time the final single "
Wasting Time" was released the album had sold 7 million albums, ''Devil Without A Cause'' was certified 11 times platinum by the
RIAA on April 17, 2003.
Rock was nominated as Best New Artist at the 2000 Grammy Awards, but lost to Christina Aguilera. He was nominated for "Bawitdaba" for Best Hard Rock Performance, but lost to Metallica's "Whiskey in the Jar."
After reacquiring the rights to his early material in 2000, Rock released ''The History of Rock'', a collection of remixed and re-recorded songs from The Polyfuze Method and Early Mornin Stoned Pimp. "American Bad Ass", one of two new tracks, was released as a single. It sampled the Metallica track "Sad But True".
On May 27 Kid Rock appeared on ''Saturday Night Live'' performing "American Bad Ass" and an acoustic version of "Only God Knows Why" that featured Phish's Trey Anastasio. Kid Rock joined Phish later in the year in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a set of cover songs.
A 2000 tour in which David Allan Coe performed as an opening act for Kid Rock was the subject of criticism from journalist Neil Strauss, who alleged that Coe's songs were racist.
From June 30 to August 22, 2000, Kid Rock joined the Summer Sanitarium Tour with Metallica, Korn, Powerman 5000, and System of a Down. Kid Rock filled in for James Hetfield of Metallica, singing vocals on the songs "Enter Sandman", "Sad But True", and "Nothing Else Matters" and the turntables for "Fuel", for three shows after Hetfield injured his spine riding a jet ski on Lake Lanier the day before the July 7 Atlanta concert.
On November 16, 2000 Joseph "Joe C" Calleja died in his sleep from Coeliac disease in Taylor, MI. The disease stunted his growth and forced him to take 60 pills a day. Joe C's final song was "Cool Daddy Cool" for the ''Osmosis Jones'' soundtrack. The band made a cameo in the movie as the band playing in the club scene. Kid Rock was referred to as Kidney Rock to go along with the cartoon aspect of being a cell in the body of Frank played by Bill Murray.
In early 2001, Rock inducted Aerosmith into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed "Sweet Emotion" at the induction ceremony. The same year, Rock landed his first acting role in the David Spade white trash comedy ''Joe Dirt''. His character was Robbie a redneck bully to Joe Dirt who was chasing after Joe's unaware love interest Brandy.
"American Bad Ass" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 2001s Grammy Awards. Losing out to Rage Against The Machine's "Guerilla Radio". The ''History of Rock'' would go on to be certified double platinum.
In November, Kid Rock released ''Cocky'', which was marketed as the official follow up to ''Devil Without a Cause''. With the era of rap metal on the decline, Kid Rock included several southern rock and country ballads on the album. The first single, "Forever", featured his standard brash rap-rock sound, but lacked the selling power of "Devil Without A Cause". The songs "Lonely Road of Faith"and "You Never Met a Motherfucker Quite Like Me" were released as singles, but were not successful, and the album struggled to reach platinum a year later. Rock had problems with the release of "Picture", a country-influenced duet with Sheryl Crow: his label felt it was wrong for his image, and was not keen to spend more money promoting a flagging album; then, when they agreed to release it, Sheryl Crow's label initially refused to give permission. Rock, meanwhile, made a radio version with Allison Moorer, which was gaining airplay. When "Picture" was released it introduced Kid Rock to a wider audience, and was ultimately the most successful single on the album. The song would chart at No 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No 17 on Country radio. The song remains his most successful pop song in the U.S. to date.
On December 14, 2001, CMT aired an episode of ''Crossroads'' featuring Rock with Hank Williams, Jr. The episode drew 2.1 million viewers, a record on CMT. He would perform for troops in January 2002 on an MTV USO Special at Germany's Ramstein Air Base along with Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez.
At the end of 2002, Uncle Kracker left the band to pursue a solo career, and Detroit underground rapper Paradime replaced him. Kid Rock made his second movie, ''Biker Boyz'', with Laurence Fishburne.
''Kid Rock'' to ''Rock n Roll Jesus'' (2003–2009)
In 2003, Kid Rock returned with an
eponymous album, almost stripping away the accustomed rap metal sound he had created, opting for southern rock and several country ballads in the wake of "Picture"'s success. The album's lead single was a cover of
Bad Company's "
Feel Like Makin' Love". A media blitz accompanied the single capped off by the VH-1 special called ''A Kid Rock Christmas'', which aired on December 14, 2003. He would release "Cold and Empty", "Jackson, Mississippi" and "I Am"
I Am (Kid Rock song)
to minor success on radio. The David Allan Coe-penned "Single Father", became his second charting country song, although like the other singles it was minor hit at #50. Kid Rock would be his lowest selling mainstream studio album of his career with 1.4 million copies sold.
Kid Rock was involved in the halftime show controversy at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas on February 1, 2004. He was criticized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for desecrating the American flag, by wearing one slit in the middle as a poncho.
The following month, Kid inducted Bob Seger into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In September 2005, Kid Rock filled in for Johnny Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd on the band's hit "Sweet Home Alabama" at the Hurricane Katrina benefit concert.
He performed the theme song for Spike TV's ''Striperella'', which featured Pamela Anderson in 2003, the song was entitled "Erotica".
On February 28, 2006, Kid Rock released his first live album, ''Live Trucker'', comprising songs from his homestead performances in 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 as Kid dueting with country star Sheryl Crow on "Picture."
He brought Bob Seger back from semi-retirement during his pre-Super Bowl concerts on February 2 and 3, 2006 in Detroit. The two performed a version of Seger's "Rock 'n' Roll Never Forgets" on both nights. Kid Rock would appear on Bob Seger's album, ''Face the Promise'', on a Vince Gill cover of "Real Mean Bottle," a tribute to country legend Merle Haggard. He would make a cameo in the movie ''Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector'' and was in an episode of ''CSI: New York'' in 2006.
He inducted Lynyrd Skynyrd into the 2006 Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and performed "Sweet Home Alabama" with them.
''Rock n Roll Jesus'' was released on October 9, 2007, becoming Kid Rock's first album to go number 1, selling 172,000 copies in its first week. He made the cover of ''Rolling Stone'' magazine for the second time, and appeared for the first time on ''Larry King Live'' to discuss the new album.
The album's first two singles were successful on rock radio in "So Hott" and "Amen". The album's third single "All Summer Long", became a global hit. It utilized a mash up of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London". "All Summer Long" would chart at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Rock n Roll Jesus" returned to the Top 10 for 17 straight weeks. Both "Roll On" and the title track were released as follow-up singles. The album's final single was "Blue Jeans and a Rosary" which was a minor country hit at No. 50.
In 2008, Kid Rock recorded "Warrior" for a National Guard advertising campaign.
Kid Rock performed on VH1 ''Storytellers'' on November 27, 2008, giving an insight to how he wrote some of his hit songs. On April 5, 2009 he performed a 5-song medley at WrestleMania XXV.
He was nominated for best rock album and best male pop/rock performance for "All Summer Long" at the 2009 Grammys. He lost to Coldplay's ''Viva La Vida'' for best Rock Album and John Mayer's "Say" for Best Male Pop/Rock Performance. He achieved his first country award winning for Best Wide Open Country Video for "All Summer Long" at the 2009 CMT Awards.
On May 22 Kid Rock's June 8, 2008 concert at Germany's Rock AM Festival was aired on every MTV affiliate around the world on their debut show "World Stage".
At the 2008 Download Festival Kid Rock was meant to appear between Seether and Disturbed on the Main Stage but pulled out at the last minute. It was first announced that this was due to illness. Rock later claimed he left the festival grounds after becoming dissatisfied with the amenities. But, the following year, Download's booker theorized that it had been due to a broken heart.
On July 3, 2009 "Rock N Roll Jesus" was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.
Kid Rock held the largest headline concert of his career the weekend of July 17 and 18, 2009, at Comerica Park in Detroit. 80,000 people attended the two shows.
''Born Free'' (2009–present)
In April 2010 Kid Rock started the Born Free era off with a spring cruise dubbed "The Chillin The Most Cruise". Then he followed that up by hosting the CMT Awards in June and performed "Cowboy".
Kid Rock released ''Born Free'' on November 16, 2010 and it debuted at No 5 selling 189,000 copies in its first week. The album was produced by Rick Rubin and featured David Hildago and Matt Sweeney on guitar as well as Chad Smith on drums and Benmont Tench on keys and piano. The album became his first album without a parental advisory sticker on it. The album's lead single was the patriotic "Born Free."It peaked at No 14 on the mainstream rock charts, it also charted on the country and hot ac chart. It was the theme song to the 2010 MLB playoffs on TBS as well as WWE's Tribute To The Troops Special. The album reached gold status on December 15, 2010. The follow up single was the southern working man's anthem "God Bless Saturday", which peaked at no 37 on the mainstream rock tracks. It is the secondary theme song for College Gameday on ESPN. The third single was "Collide", Sheryl Crow rejoined him along with Bob Seger (on piano). They then went on a joint tour together the song peaked at No 26 on the hot ac chart and no 51 on the country chart. The next single "Purple Sky" a cover of Jason Boland would fail to chart. In November 2011, Kid Rock released "Care" a protest song about current politics in D.C. There were multiple versions released for the single. The album version feat. Martina McBride and T.I., the international single feat. Mary J Blidge. The last version which was released when Martina McBride's label wouldn't let her in on the music video, and the video was shot with the Pistol Annie's Angeleena Pressley. It's currently no 28 on the hot ac chart and no 58 on the country chart. An ep was released in the Detroit area along with the album called the Racing Father Time EP feat. It included remixes of Slow My Roll and Lonely Road Of Faith along with "The Midwest Fall" and "Forty". Born Free went platinum in July 2011.
On January 15, 2011 Kid Rock celebrated his 40th birthday with a performance at Ford Field in Detroit. The marathon concert featured Uncle Kracker, Peter Wolfe, Rev Run, Sheryl Crow, Cindy Crawford, Jimmie Johnson and Anita Baker. In December he went a 12 city club tour and donated proceeds to various charties in each city.
Kid Rock is currently writing songs for his successor to ''Born Free''. "We've already started writing for the next record and talking about the feel and where we want to go with it," Rock told Billboard.com during a press conference Thursday announcing an Aug. 12 stadium show in his home town of Detroit. "I think 'Born Free' was kind of a transitional record with [producer] Rick Rubin and going into the rootsy, American blues/rock 'n' roll vibe. I'd kind of like to go back to something like maybe a 'Cocky' feel -- that record, but knowing more now and trying to put those elements together." Rock's other future plan includes coming to terms with video footage he has accumulated over the years and possibly making some commercially available in the near future. "It's something I struggle with," he acknowledged. "I've probably shot six DVDs, professionally, had them edited and everything. But it's like anything; if you go see a sporting event or whatever, it's always better live. It's just tough to capture it on tape." Rock promised that "there will be something... I think for Christmas" and possibly from his recent show at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which he called "one of my best performances to date." He added that he may also consider releasing live footage via his web site.
In 2010 he filmed the Born Free video for his song at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
On December 7, 2011, Kid Rock joined Metallica on-stage at The Fillmore San Francisco during the ''30 Years of Metallica'' celebration (Day 2) to perform Seger's Turn the Page.
Musical style and influences
Kid Rock's musical style ranges from
Midwest hip hop and heavy metal to
country rock and
rap rock. His influences include
Warren Zevon,
Jim Croce,
Johnny Cash,
David Allan Coe,
Bob Seger,
Run-DMC,
Beastie Boys,
Whodini,
Too Short,
Eric B. & Rakim,
Esham and
Lynyrd Skynyrd .
Twisted Brown Trucker
Twisted Brown Trucker is Kid Rock's band, formed in 1994 in
Sterling Heights, Michigan. The original lineup included
Kenny Olson on lead guitar,
Uncle Kracker on turntables, Andy Gould and George Metropolous on guitar, Paul Anthony on bass and Bob Ebeling on drums. The band's first involvement was on the 1994 demo of "Dark & Gray" on his Bootleg Series Tapes, they would make three more appearances on the tapes in Watch Me Come, Only a Dog and Box #10. Trucker became both Rock's studio and live band in 1997.
Chris Peters was the studio guitarist for The Polyfuze Method and Fire It Up. Matt O'Brien (Bass) and Kenny Tudrick (Guitar, Drums) were studio musicians for Devil Without a Cause.
Kenny Olson went on to form numerous bands for more creative outlets. A Pack of Wolves, The Flask, Five Star Carni, The Motorfly's, and most recent (2010) 7 Day Binge. He has also made appearances on many other recordings such as the song "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" which can be found on the Les Paul & Friends CD as well as a version of "Little Wing" with Chaka Khan on "The Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix" among numerous others.
Tudrick is with the band Detroit Cobras, who he was with before touring on Kid Rock's 'Live' Trucker tour.
Percussionist Larry Frantangelo won a Detroit Music Award in 2009 for Outstanding Urban/Funk Musician.
;Current members
Jimmie "Bones" Trombley – keyboards, piano, organ, harmonica, backing vocals (1996–present)
Marlon Young – lead & rhythm guitar (1996–1997, 2007–present)
Jason Krause – rhythm & lead guitar (1997–present)
Stefanie Eulinberg – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1998–present)
Paradime – turntables, programming, keyboards (2002–present)
Aaron Julison – bass guitar, backing vocals (2003–present)
Shannon Curfman – backing vocal & guitar (2010–present)
''with:''
Larry Frantangelo – percussion (2007–present)
David McMurray – saxophone (2007–present)
Jessica Wagner;– backing vocals (2007–present)
Tyra Juliette -backing vocals (2007–present)
;Former members
Barbara Payton- backing vocals (2007–2009, on and off)
Stacy Michelle- backing vocals (2007–2009)
Kenny Olson – lead guitar (1994–2005)
Uncle Kracker – turntables (1994–2002)
Joe C – backing vocals (1994–2000)
Andy Gould – rhythm guitar (1994–1995)
George Metropolous – rhythm guitar (1994–1995)
Paul Anthony – bass (1994–1995)
Bob Ebeling – drums (1994–1995)
Bill Keros – drums (1995)
Eric Hogemeyer – drums (1995)
Jeff Hall – rhythm guitar (1995–1996)
Chris Zuccaro – drums (1995–1998)
Ray Echlin – bass (1996)
Lonnie Motley – bass (1996–1998)
Chris Lebroux – bongos (1997)
Thornetta Davis – backing vocals (1997–1998)
Mike Bradford – bass (1998–2001)
Misty Love – backing vocals (1998–2001)
Shirley Hayden – backing vocals (1998–2001)
Bobby East – bass (2001–2003)
Smith Curry – dobro (2004–2005)
Karen Newman – backing vocals (2004–2005)
Lauren Creamer – backing vocals (2004–2005)
Kenny Tudrick – lead guitar (2005–2006)
Personal life
Marriage to Pamela Anderson
In 2001 Kid Rock began dating actress Pamela Anderson, after the two met at a VH1 tribute to Aretha Franklin. By April 2002, he and Anderson were engaged, but the engagement was later called off. They later got married in a surprise wedding in July 2006 after it was reported Anderson was pregnant. They divorced five months later because Rock wanted to live in Detroit and Anderson wanted to stay in Los Angeles. It has been suggested that his no-show at the Download Festival 2008 was due to a broken heart.
Kid Rock has stated in numerous interviews that he is a lover of hunting and fishing. He has hunted with his good friend Hank Williams Jr. several times. When Rock and Pamela Anderson divorced, it was rumored that Rock's hunting passion was the cause of the relationship's end, Anderson being a keen animal rights activist.
Rock later claimed, however, that the divorce was due to Anderson openly criticizing his mother and sister in front of his son from a previous relationship, Robert Jr., which Rock took offense to. Rock has actively raised Robert Jr., born in 1993, as a single father since birth, and continues to live with him in Michigan.
On July 6, 2011, Kid Rock appeared on CNN's ''Piers Morgan Tonight'' show where he said he has no regrets about anything he has done in the past. He declined to say whether his marriage to Pamela Anderson had taught him any lessons.
Legal troubles
Kid Rock has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement:
In March 1991 and September 1997, Kid Rock was arrested in Michigan for alcohol related incidents.
In February 2005, he was arrested on assault charges for punching DJ Jay Campos in 'Christies Cabaret' strip club. Rock pleaded no contest and was sued for $575,000 by Campos.
Kid Rock was cited for assault on Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee on September 9, 2007 at MTV's Video Music Awards, and pled guilty.
In October 2007, Kid Rock was involved in a brawl at a Waffle House in Atlanta and charged with simple battery. He pleaded nolo contendere ("no contest") to one count, was fined $1,000, required to perform 80 hours of community service and complete a 6-hour course on anger management.
Sex tape
Kid Rock and
Scott Stapp, singer of the band
Creed, appear in a sex tape from 1999 in which the two have sex with four groupies in a mobile home. California pornography company Red Light District planned to release the tape in 2006, but both Rock and Stapp filed with the California courts to sue Red Light District and stop the tape's distribution.
Activism
Kid Rock has been involved with many charitable organizations but his main support has gone to
Operation Homefront. Kid Rock has frequently partnered with
Jim Beam to make large donations to the organization. He is close friends with
Tony Stewart as he helps with charity events, and Kid Rock narrated ''Tony Stewart: Smoke'', a documentary of Stewart's 2002 championship season. Kid Rock has performed for American service men and women in countries such as
Iraq,
Afghanistan,
Kuwait and
Kosovo, and has performed for U.S. servicemembers in
Great Britain at R.A.F. bases such as
RAF Lakenheath.
Discography
1990: ''Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast''
1993: ''The Polyfuze Method''
1996: ''Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp''
1998: ''Devil Without a Cause''
2000: ''The History of Rock''
2001: ''Cocky''
2003: ''Kid Rock''
2006: ''Live Trucker''
2007: ''Rock n Roll Jesus''
2010: ''Born Free''
Tours
1989: Straight From the Underground Tour (opened for Ice Cube, Too $hort, D Nice and Yo-Yo)
1998: Lollapalooza Tour
1998: Vans Warped Tour
1998–99: White Thrash on Dope Tour (with Monster Magnet and Hed PE)
1999: Destroy Your Liver Tour
1999: Limptropolis Tour (with Limp Bizkit and Staind)
1999: European Tour (with Blink-182)
1999: Between the Legs Tour (with Powerman 5000, Professional Murder Music)
1999-00: Millennium Tour (with Metallica, Sevendust and Creed)
2000: Summer Sanitarium Tour (with Metallica, Korn, System of a Down, Powerman 5000)
2000: The History of Rock Tour (with Dope)
2001: The American Bad Ass Tour (with Buckcherry, Fuel and David Allan Coe)
2002: The Cocky Tour (with Lit, Tenacious D and Saliva)
2002: Girls of Summer Tour (opening for Aerosmith with Run-D.M.C.)
2004: Rock n Roll Pain Train Tour (with Puddle of Mudd, Gov't Mule, Jerry Cantrell)
2005: Lazy Muthafuga Tour (only 6 concert dates)
2006: 'Live' Trucker Tour (with Ty Stone, Peter Frampton (opened in Auburn Hills, Michigan) and Whitestarr)
2007–2008: Rock n Roll Revival Tour (with Reverend Run, Dicky Betts, Duane Betts, Peter Wolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd, in a revue style)
2008: Rock n Roll Revival Tour: European Tour
2008: Rock n Rebels Tour (with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Backdoor Slam)
2008: European Tour (with Finger Eleven)
2008: All Summer Long Tour (4 nights at Pine Knob with Uncle Kracker & Rev Run)
2009: Rock n Rebels Tour II (with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights, Black Stone Cherry, Alice in Chains, Cypress Hill, Robert Randolph and the Family Band)
2010: The Circle Tour (opening for Bon Jovi)
2011: Ford field, Detroit Michigan 40th Birthday Bash-January
2011: Born Free Tour (with Sheryl Crow)
2011: (Fall) Care - Club Tour for charity
Filmography
''The Howard Stern Show'' (8 episodes, 1999–2008)
''Saturday Night Live'' (Musical Guest, 2000)
''The Simpsons'' (1 episode, 2000)
''WWF Raw is War'' (Musical Guest, 2000)
''Joe Dirt'' (2001)
''Osmosis Jones'' (Voice, 2001)
''Kid Rock: Lonely Road of Faith'' (2001)
''King of the Hill'' (2002)
''Punk'd'' (1 episode, 2003)
''Biker Boyz'' (2003)
''Stripperella'' (You Only Lick Twice, 2003)
''CMT Outlaws'' (2003)
''South Park'' (2004)
''CSI: NY'' (1 episode, 2005)
''Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector'' (2005)
''Motorcycle Mania 3'' (2005)
''Coors Light Mountain Jam'' (2005)
''Stacked'' (1 episode, 2002)
''The 2006 Billboard Music Awards'' (2006)
''VH1 Storytellers'' (2008)
''WrestleMania XXV'' (Musical Guest, 2009)
''2010 Spike Guy Choice Awards'' (Presenter, 2009)
''Top Gear (U.S. TV series)'' (1 episode, 2010)
''Late Night with Jimmy Fallon'' (1 episode, 2011)
''Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'' (1 episode, 2011)
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
*2000 Best New Artist (Nominated)
*2000 Best Hard Rock Performance for "Bawitdaba" (Nominated)
*2001 Best Hard Rock Performance for "American Bad Ass" (Nominated)
*2009 Best Rock Album for ''Rock n Roll Jesus'' (Nominated)
*2009 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)
Academy of Country Music
*2003, Vocal Event of the Year: "Picture" (Nominated)
American Music Awards
*2008, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist (Nominated)
*2003, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist: (Winner)'''
*2003, Favorite Pop/Rock Album: ''Cocky'' (Nominated)
*2001, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist: (Winner)'''
*2000, Favorite Alternative Artist: (Nominated)
*2000, Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist: (Nominated)
Billboard Music Awards
*1999 Best New Artist (Winner)
*1999 Best Hard Rock Performance for "Bawitdaba" (Winner)
*1999 Best New Hard Rock Artist (Winner)
MTV Video Music Awards
*2001, Best Male Video: "Cowboy" (Nominated)
*2001, Best Rock Video: "Cowboy" (Nominated)
*2000, Best Male Video: "Bawitdaba" (Nominated)
*2000, Best New Artist: "Bawitdaba" (Nominated)
Teen Choice Awards
*2003, Choice Love Song: "Picture" (Nominated)
*2003 Choice Hookup Song: "Picture" (Nominated)
Detroit Music Awards
*1999
**Outstanding National Album for ''Devil Without a Cause'' (Winner)
**Outstanding National Single for "I Am the Bullgod" (Winner)
**Outstanding National Single for "Bawitdaba" (Nominee)
**Outstanding National Hip Hop Writer/Producer (Winner)
*2000
**Outstanding National Album for ''History of Rock'' (Nominee)
**Outstanding National Single for "American Bad Ass" (Winner)
**Outstanding National Single for "Cowboy" (Nominee)
**Outstanding National Duet for "Higher" with Robert Bradley (Winner)
**Outstanding National Spokesperson (Winner)
*2001
**Outstanding National Album for ''Cocky'' (Nominated)
**Outstanding National Single for "Forever" (Nominated)
*2003
**Outstanding National Single for "Picture" (Nominated)
*2004
**Outstanding National Album for Kid Rock (Nominated)
**Outstanding National Single for "Cold and Empty" (Nominated)
**Outstanding National Single for "Jackson, Mississippi" (Nominated)
*2006
**Outstanding National Album for ''Live Trucker'' (Nominated)
*2008
**Outstanding National Album for ''Rock n Roll Jesus'' (Winner)
**Outstanding National Single for "So Hott" (Nominated)
**Outstanding National Single for "Amen" (Nominated)
*2009
**Outstanding National Single for ''All Summer Long'' (Winner)
**Outstanding National Single for ''Roll On'' (Nominated)
MTV European Music Awards
*2008 Most Attictive Track for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)
BMI Songwriting Award
*2002 "Picture" (Winner)
CMT Music Awards
*2003 Choice Male Video for "Picture" (Nominated)
*2009 Video of The Year for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)
*2009 Wide Open Country Video of the Year for "All Summer Long" (Winner)
World Music Awards
*2008 Worlds Best Male Pop Artist (Winner)
*2008 Worlds Best Pop/Rock Artist (Winner)
People's Choice Awards
*2009 Best Rock Song for "All Summer Long" (Winner)
Kid's Choice Awards
*2009 Favorite Male Singer (Current Nominee)
Echo Award (Germany)
*2009 Hit Of The Year for "All Summer Long" (Winner)
Other ventures and honors
He has his own clothing line called Made in Detroit which he purchased from its creator, Detroit designer Robert Stanzler, in 2003. Stanzler, a longtime friend of Kid Rock, is mentioned by name in Rock's song "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp".
Wayne State University named a scholarship after Kid Rock for musicians. Kid Rock is using his clothing line to fund it.
He was
Grand Marshal of the
Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras parade in
New Orleans on February 21, 2009 and was accompanied by
The Chee-Weez, a local area
cover band.
He released his own beer called Bad Ass Beer on July 17, 2009 released over the entire midwestern part of the U.S.
Kid Rock is a steadfast loyal supporter of the United States military. He gave proceeds of a concert to the families affected by the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000. He has quietly made numerous trips with the USO, and on his own, to play concerts for soldiers overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. He also made his album ''Born Free'' available to military members to download for free.
References
Sources
Christe, Ian (2003). ''Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal''. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-380-81127-8
External links
Kid Rock at Imeem.com
Kid Rock Interview on ''The Hour'' with George Stroumboulopoulos
UK Interview (11/8/2008)http://www.thrashhits.com/2008/08/kid-rock-%E2%80%9Ci-was-the-kid-with-the-vial-full-of-rocks%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D/
Category:1971 births
Category:American rock singers
Category:American male singers
Category:Atlantic Records artists
Category:Living people
Category:People from Macomb County, Michigan
Category:Rap rock musicians
Category:Rappers from Detroit, Michigan
Category:World Music Awards winners
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