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''
Venom
Richie Kotzen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nine Nine lives forgot about me I've got nothing
And Trust I ain't trusting much about me
Lately I'm out of control
I'm hooked on your venom you poison my mind
I'm sick from the venom you spit in my eyes
Wine I'm drinking from your fountain I'm soaking in nothing
More I ain't got enough around me lately I'm out of control
I'm hooked on your venom you poison my mind
I'm sick from the venom you spit in my eyes
I'm hooked on your venom I see that I'm blind
I'm sick from the venom you spit in my eye
I'm hooked on your venom you poison my mind
I'm sick from the venom you spit in my eyes
I'm hooked on your venom you poison my mind
I'm sick from the venom you spit in my eyes
The lyrics to Richie Kotzen's song Venom appear to describe a toxic relationship that has left the singer feeling powerless and out of control. The metaphor of venom is used throughout the song to represent the negative influence the other person has over the singer. The line "Oh You're everything around me I've got no control" suggests that the singer is completely consumed by this relationship and has lost their sense of self. The reference to "Nine lives forgot about me" could signify that the singer has been through other difficult situations but this relationship has left them feeling empty and alone.
The lines "No I won't throw down the gauntlet cause I've got no hope" suggest that the singer feels powerless to change the situation and has given up trying to fight back against the toxicity in the relationship. The reference to wine and drinking from the other person's fountain could imply that the singer is relying on this person for emotional sustenance, even though it's clear that they aren't receiving anything positive from the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics to Venom paint a picture of a person consumed by a toxic relationship in which they feel powerless and out of control. The repeated use of the metaphor of venom emphasizes the negativity and harm that the other person is causing in the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh You're everything around me I've got no control
The singer feels overwhelmed and powerless due to the influence of someone or something around them.
Nine Nine lives forgot about me I've got nothing
The singer feels forgotten and as though they have nothing left.
And Trust I ain't trusting much about me
The singer is lacking in self-trust and confidence.
Lately I'm out of control
The artist feels as though they are losing control of their life.
I'm hooked on your venom you poison my mind
The artist is addicted to the negative influence and harmful words of someone else.
I'm sick from the venom you spit in my eyes
The singer is feeling physically and emotionally unwell due to the toxic influence of someone else.
No I won't throw down the gauntlet cause I've got no hope
The singer feels helpless and sees no point in fighting against their situation.
Wine I'm drinking from your fountain I'm soaking in nothing
The artist is taking in something that appears pleasurable or valuable, but it actually brings them no benefit.
More I ain't got enough around me lately I'm out of control
The artist feels as though there is not enough good in their life, and this is contributing to their sense of loss of control.
I'm hooked on your venom you poison my mind
The artist repeats this line to emphasize again how toxic the other person's influence is and the negative impact it has on their mental state.
I'm sick from the venom you spit in my eyes
The singer repeats this line to emphasize again how physically and emotionally unwell the other person's influence is making them feel.
I'm hooked on your venom I see that I'm blind
The artist is aware that the other person's influence is harmful, yet they still cannot break free from it.
I'm sick from the venom you spit in my eye
The singer repeats this line to drive home again how terrible the other person's influence is making them feel physically and emotionally.
I'm hooked on your venom you poison my mind
The singer repeats this line to emphasize once more the addictive and harmful nature of the other person's influence.
I'm sick from the venom you spit in my eyes
The singer repeats this line to emphasize again how negatively the other person's words and actions are impacting them.
Writer(s): Richard D Kotzen Jr
Contributed by Isabella N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dontyouwantmebaby
Almost impossible to think of another musician past or present that can match Ritchies combined talents. His voice is so strong and pure he could front any rock band in history and the guitar chops blow the competition off stage. This guy is unrivalled in my opinion as the number 1 rock musician in the world right now, let's appreciate him a bit more!
SHFreeman
what about Nuno?
iggyoldchannel
He is absolutely the master.
Mitchie
@Jeffery Coleman Never heard of her
Jeffery Coleman
Dean Castronovo is at his level
Mr. 8ríçë 7ïmøthy 8üšçh
There isn't one & it'll be q looooooong time b4 there's another that's even close.
P.S. U Forgot Class, Style, Groove, Harmonies, Melododies, Catchy (Nainstrean or :even better) Hooks, SickAss Rhythmns, Not to mention Master if song writing, orchestration & production a 1 of a kind, A Diamond in the shit
Álvaro Melo
O mundo, cada vez mais, está descobrindo o incrível músico que você é... Parabéns, Kotzen!!!!
Marco Rodrigues
@Filipe de Oliveira Lima ainda bem que não escolheu ser popstar, está muito bem assim
Rafael Flores
Maioria dos fãs dele são músicos, ao menos é o que aparenta pra mim. Mesmo se distanciando do mundo shredding e fusion, na qual o colocou em destaque entre os guitarristas nos anos 90, a sua carreira solo com músicas voltadas à canção, ou seja mais "populares" são bastante respeitadas e elogiadas, devido ao bom gosto desse cidadão. E claro, o POUCO e QUASE NADA de talento lapidado desse monstro.
Alcir Cândido
Alguém já sabe a data da tourne no Brasil ??