Bor… Read Full Bio ↴Richie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 3, 1970, Richie Kotzen was soon 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, Kotzen was eventually discovered by Shrapnel Records' Mike Varney, and he recorded his first album by the age of 18. 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.
In 1993, Kotzen made his big break when he joined the rock band Poison at age 20, 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. 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 1,975,000 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.
In mid 2002 Kotzen established a recording Studio/Production company in Los Angeles, California. He has since been producing acclaimed solo albums and collaborating with various figures in rock, jazz, and fusion. He now has formed a band called Forty Deuce which recently released a new album entitled Nothing to Lose.
Richie has a unique style, which he has described as a mix of rock, jazz fusion, and soul music. Of his albums, he claims he is most proud of Vertu. Kotzen utilizes a heavy amount of legato playing into his solos.
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 had'nt become a professional musician, he would have liked to play professional basketball.
In 2008, Kotzen released his first official live album, "Live In São Paulo", which featured Johnny Griparic on bass and Dan Potruch on Drums.
Discography
* (1989) Richie Kotzen
* (1990) Fever Dream
* (1991) Electric Joy
* (1991) Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey (Soundtrack)
* (1993) Native Tongue (Poison)
* (1994) Mother Head's Family Reunion
* (1995) Inner Galactic Fusion Experience
* (1995) Tilt (with Greg Howe)
* (1996) Wave of Emotion
* (1996) Times Gonna Tell (EP)
* (1997) Kotzen/Howe Project (with Greg Howe)
* (1997) Something to Say
* (1998) What Is
* (1999) Break It All Down
* (1999) BiPolar Blues
* (1999) Vertu (project with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White)
* (1999) Get Over It (Mr. Big)
* (2000) Deep Cuts (Mr. Big)
* (2001) Actual Size (Mr. Big)
* (2001) Slow
* (2002) In Japan (Mr. Big)
* (2003) Change
* (2003) Acoustic Cuts
* (2004) Get Up
* (2004) The Best of Richie Kotzen
* (2005) Nothing to Lose (Forty-Deuce)
* (2006) ZxR Ai Senshi
* (2006) Into the Black
* (2007) ''Return Of The Mother Head's Family Reunion'' (Japan & Europe)
* (2007) ''Go Faster'' (US only)
* (2008) ''Live In São Paulo''
* (2009) ''Peace Sign''
* (2011) ''24 Hours''
* (2013) ''The Winery Dogs'' (The Winery Dogs)
* (2014) ''Unleashed In Japan: The Second Show'' (The Winery Dogs) Released only In Japan (DVD/2CD)
* (2014) ''The Essential''
* (2015) ''Cannibals''
* (2015) ''Hot Streak'' (The Winery Dogs)
* (2017) ''Salting Earth''
Videography
* (1989) Rock Chops
* (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)
* (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''
* (2008) ''Chase It'' (Videoclip from the R.O.T.M.F.R. Album)
* (2008) ''Bootlegged in Brazil''
* (2014) ''Unleashed In Japan: The Second Show'' (The Winery Dogs) Released only In Japan (DVD/2CD)'
* (2015) ''Live''
Fooled Again
Richie Kotzen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
yeah I am, I am, I am
Tired and broken by the changing hands
Missing what I never had
Not a dream not a thought not a one desire
nothin' needed
All the fear, all the loss, all the pain in me
I'm losin' sleep for the last time
I'm in too deep it's no surprise
So here I go playin' the fool again...
yeah I am, I am, I am
Tired and broken by the changing hands
Missin' what I never had
I shoulda known by the jaded past
Times can change but nothing lasts
I never thought of being fooled again
but I am, I am, I am
Not a lie, not a fight, won't be traumatized
by my anger... not too strong, not too weak
I can't turn around for a stranger
I feel the heat, I'm tempted still
I can't be led by your own will
In Richie Kotzen's song "Fooled Again," the lyrics reflect on the feelings of being foolish and broken due to changes in life that have resulted in missing out on something that was never had. The opening line of "Here I go playing the fool again" sets the tone for the song, as the singer acknowledges that they have been in this position before. The repeated "yeah I am, I am, I am" emphasizes the frustration and self-awareness in the singer's voice as they continue to make the same mistakes.
The second verse suggests that the singer has come to a point of acceptance, stating "Not a dream not a thought not a one desire, nothin' needed. All the fear, all the loss, all the pain in me has all faded." The absence of desire and the fading of fear, loss, and pain could imply that the singer has reached a sense of detachment from the situation, accepting that it is what it is.
The chorus repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the singer's experiences. The final verse suggests that the singer has learned from their past, stating "I shoulda known by the jaded past, Times can change but nothing lasts, I never thought of being fooled again but I am, I am, I am." The repetition of "I am" reinforces the idea that the singer has come to terms with their situation and accepts that they have been fooled again.
Overall, "Fooled Again" explores the theme of acceptance and the cyclical nature of life's experiences. The lyrics suggest that sometimes we are inevitably fooled and broken by life's changes, but it's important to learn from our past and accept situations as they are.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I go playing the fool again...
I am about to repeat a mistake I have made before
yeah I am, I am, I am
I am fully aware and accepting of my actions
Tired and broken by the changing hands
I am exhausted and demoralized by the constant changes in my life
Missing what I never had
I am longing for something that was never truly mine
Not a dream not a thought not a one desire nothin' needed
I have no aspirations or desires at this moment and need nothing
All the fear, all the loss, all the pain in me has all faded
I have let go of all my negative emotions and they no longer control me
I'm losin' sleep for the last time
I will not let my worries keep me up at night anymore
I'm in too deep it's no surprise
I have reached a point where I cannot easily remove myself from this situation
I shoulda known by the jaded past
I should have been aware of the signs from past experiences
Times can change but nothing lasts
Everything is temporary and nothing remains the same forever
I never thought of being fooled again
I did not expect to repeat this negative experience
but I am, I am, I am
Unfortunately, I have found myself in this situation again
Not a lie, not a fight, won't be traumatized by my anger...
I will not let my negative emotions harm me or others
not too strong, not too weak
I am neither too powerful nor too powerless
I can't turn around for a stranger
I cannot be influenced by someone I do not know or trust
I feel the heat, I'm tempted still
I am aware of the danger, but still feel drawn to it
I can't be led by your own will
I will not allow someone else to control my actions or decisions
Contributed by Jack H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nikos Antoniou
Here I go playing the fool again...
yeah I am, I am, I am
Tired and broken by the changing hands
Missing what I never had
Not a dream not a thought not a one desire
nothin' needed
All the fear, all the loss, all the pain in me
has all faded
I'm losin' sleep for the last time
I'm in too deep it's no surprise
So here I go playin' the fool again...
yeah I am, I am, I am
Tired and broken by the changing hands
Missin' what I never had
I shoulda known by the jaded past
Times can change but nothing lasts
I never thought of being fooled again
but I am, I am, I am
Not a lie, not a fight, won't be traumatized
by my anger... not too strong, not too weak
I can't turn around for a stranger
I feel the heat, I'm tempted still
I can't be led by your own will
Kathy McCoy
He’s got to be the most underrated guitarist on the planet. The playing and vocals are insanely great!
Chris K
Unfortuantely unknown' compared to others out there selling out 5,000 seat venues. Motley Crew was SO Bad. I felt like i was vilolated .......after seeing that hot mess. They should have put a hot pocket on each side of the stage for Vince Meal as an incentive to move about on stage.....
Edson Chacon
I'm with you...he's fantastic!
Salva Criado
Im a musician and, trust me, Richie for me IS a reference (Sorry for my english). He us simply AN increíble artist and he never sell himself.
Joseph Vega
He reminds me of Ian thornley
Guitar Overkill
I usually hate when people say some guitarist is underrated, but I couldn’t agree more. I just recently discovered the guy. Unbelievable player, songwriter, and singer.
Celso Ricardo
Richie kotzen e foda pa caralho🎸🤘🔥👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇧🇷
921ster
Ritchie Kotzen is the full package, great guitar player, singer, and can write music that resonates with people. The winery dogs is a great example of that.
Steve Skinner
I've been a fan of Richie for many years. So underrated!!!!
Great player with amazing vocals !!!
Tony Powell
Without doubt the best singer/guitarist I've ever seen and heard.