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''
I'll Be Around
Richie Kotzen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where to go oh no
You made your choice and now it's up to me
To bow out gracefully
Though you hold the key but baby
Whenever you call me I'll be there whenever you want me
I'll be there
I knew just what you'd say now I found my today
And all the words have slipped away
But I know there's aways a chance a tiny spark
that remains
And sparks turn into flams where love can burn once again
And I know you know
Whenever you call me I'll be there whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me I'll be there I'll be around
The lyrics of Richie Kotzen's song I'll Be Around represent the end of a romantic relationship, where the singer and his partner have reached a fork in the road and have no place to go but different directions. The partner has made a choice to move on and end the relationship, but the singer is determined to bow out gracefully and hold on to the tiny spark of hope that remains. He promises to be there for her whenever she needs him, indicating that despite the pain of their separation, he is still willing to be a source of support for her.
The lines "Whenever you call me I'll be there whenever you want me
I'll be there
Whenever you need me I'll be there I'll be around" show an undying commitment and loyalty to his partner, even though they have separated. He is still there for her, and she just has to ask him for help. The lyrics also touch on the idea that their love may have burned out, but it could reignite one day, and the singer would be ready for it.
Overall, the song is a poignant expression of love and heartbreak, with a touch of hopefulness. The singer's commitment to being there for his partner even in separation is admirable, and the lyrics evoke a sense of sadness and pain that is relatable to anyone who has gone through a similar situation.
Line by Line Meaning
This is our fork in the road love's last episode there's no
We have reached a critical juncture in our relationship where it may end and there is no clear path forward.
Where to go oh no
We have come to a point in our relationship where we are lost and directionless, with no clear way to proceed.
You made your choice and now it's up to me
You have made a decision that affects both of us, and now it is up to me to respond in a way that is appropriate and respectful.
To bow out gracefully
I will choose to step away from the situation in a respectful and dignified manner.
Though you hold the key but baby
While you are the one who has the power to make a decision, I still care about you and am willing to be there for you if you need me.
Whenever you call me I'll be there whenever you want me
I am always here for you, and no matter when you need me, I will be there without hesitation.
Whenever you need me I'll be there I'll be around
No matter what happens, I will always be available to support you when you need it, and will never be far away.
I knew just what you'd say now I found my today
I had a feeling that things would turn out this way, and now I have accepted that this is the present reality.
And all the words have slipped away
I am struggling to find the right things to say, and am at a loss for words in this situation.
But I know there's aways a chance a tiny spark that remains
Despite the current difficulties we are experiencing, I still believe that there is a small possibility for things to improve or change.
And sparks turn into flams where love can burn once again
Small glimmers of hope can ignite into larger feelings of love, leading to a renewed passion for each other.
And I know you know
I am confident that you understand the situation and the potential outlook for our future.
Contributed by Adam N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.