Born and raised Milwaukee.
When I was a kid my parents would have these big parties with their friends and they would always hire a band. They began to notice that I was always hanging around the stage and with the band members. They asked me if I wanted to play an instrument.
I said "Yes,I wanted to play the drums."I dont think my dad could tolerate that,so he said,"How about the guitar?"
That was good with me so they put me into lessons.
He thought I was going to be this big guitar player playing in polka bands at his parties. Boy was he wrong!
Then one Sunday night back in 1965, I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullavian show. The sound blew me away!
So I started to copy them.
Being only 8 years old, I caught guitar fever!
When I heard the Star Spangled Banner by Hendrix, I knew that I was in for life!
Hendrix did invent electricity.
I have been influenced by all the great pioneers:
Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Richie Blackmoore, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, and of course, Eddie VanHalen. I still mimic them today.
Thank you Mom and Dad for letting me play really, really, really loud in the basement!
Sorry for cracking the toilet and the cracks in the walls. I love you.
I toured the Great Lakes area for most of my career, and now I live in Nashville.
I play with some fantastic musicians and working to further my career.
Here in Nashville, I have met my lovely wife Cheryl, her son Logan, and her daughter Leslie. I love you all very much.
I feel that i must add the best guitar player I have ever played with.
My college professor, Dr Gregg Scott.
He has since past away, but I still have his obituairy taped to the inside of my amp.
Everywere I play I know he is looking down on me saying--"Rick,your doing good."
