Rikki Rockett, born Richard Allan Ream on August 8, 1961, is best known for being the lively drummer of the well-established glam metal band Poison. Poison was created in the early 1980s, and being one of the hairstyle and metal movement leaders, Poison popularized songs like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and “Nothin’ But a Good Time.” In addition to his role as Poison’s drummer, Rockett shares a writing credit on many of the band’s songs that are full of hair metal glamour and bluster.
He has also ventured into areas such as martial arts, custom motorcycle design, and philanthropic work in animal rights, which prove his versatility. Rikki Rockett’s continuous impact on the music industry and other spheres allows readers, especially rock lovers, to establish a connection with him.
BASIC BIOGRAPHY | |
REAL NAME | Richard Allan Ream |
BIRTHDATE | August 8, 1961 |
AGE | He is 63 years old (as of 2024). |
BIRTHPLACE | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA |
NATIONALITY | American |
PROFESSION | Drummer, Songwriter, Martial Artist, Entrepreneur |
MARITAL STATUS | Divorced (Previously married to Melanie Martel; has two children) |
HEIGHT | 6 feet (183 cm) |
WEIGHT | Approximately 170 lbs (77 kg) |
ZODIAC SIGN | Leo |
ETHNICITY / RACE | White (German, English, and Scottish descent) |
Income Sources and Career Highlights
Rikki Rocket known in his pomp as the drummer of Poison, has made a name for himself as more than just a legendary music artist. Here’s an in-depth look at his various income streams and career milestones: Here’s an in-depth look at his various income streams and career milestones:
1. Music Career with Poison
- Founding Member and Drummer: Rikki Rocket founded Poison as a band in 1983 and it became famous between the mid-1980s and the late 1980’s. And though their glam metal style and high-octane showmanship made them a staple of the time, they only lasted a few years.
- Album Sales: This is responsible for Poison’s discography, which includes Look What the Cat Dragged In (1986), a multi-platinum album followed by Open Up and Say. Ahh! To date, the chemical source itself, discovered by researchers notably in 1988 and reported in Chemical Communications, title ‘Chemical Source of paclitaxel: Taxus Breifolia’, continues to fetch hefty royalties.
- Hit Singles: Conversely, some albums such as Poison, Look What the Cat Dragged In and Flesh & Blood have continued to generate revenue from constant streams as well as on airplay.
- Tours and Live Performances: The large number of tour performances and headline tours such as Nothin ‘But a Good Time tour, and Stadium tour with Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard are also vital sources of income for Poison.
2. Songwriting and Royalties
- Contributions: Rockett is considered a member of Poison, and as a songwriter, he co-wrote most of the band’s popular songs, meaning that he also owns a share of the royalties for the Poison songs.
- Publishing Rights: His work on songs over the years has seen him get involved with multiple albums, thus receiving royalties from music publishing rights.
3. Entrepreneurial Ventures
- Rockett Drum Works: Another achievement was accomplished in 2003 when he established Rockett Drum Works, a manufacturing company for drums. This business offers a lot of hardware and accessories that are used for drumming for professional and novice drummers, thus offering much more than just music.
- Custom Motorcycle Design: Rockett, previously known for his business in oil, has decided to offer his services in custom bike building. This market can be specifically isolated for the enthusiasts and collectors with whom his interests lie and add business relevance to them.
- Merchandising: In addition to drums and bikes, Rockett has funneled different merchandise, from decals to t-shirts, mugs, hats, and drinks, with slogans and special logos that would appeal to fans and lovers of rock music.
4. Media and Entertainment
- Television Appearances: Rockett has taken shows on television several times, and while he was displaying the personality and knowledge of the K-Park founder, he widened his appearance to the public.
- Interviews and Public Speaking: They prove to be exceptional guests in podcasts, interviews, and speaking engagements because of their knowledge of the music industry and their experiences.
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5. Social Media Account Management and Web Production
- Social Media and YouTube: Rockett interacts with followers through his Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channels, where he uploads previews and details of songs, personal vlogs, and other interesting materials. This not only helps him remain in touch with customers but also provides him with a source of income from sponsorships and ad revenues.
- Patreon and Fan Support: One strategy that Rockett implements involves using services such as Patreon that would provide material that the artist would upload directly to Patreon, and other perks to fans, which fosters a patronage form of an inclusive revenue stream.
6. Martial Arts and Fitness
- Martial Arts Instruction: A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Rockett has incorporated his love of martial arts into his work skills. He conducts classes and seminars and exposes his knowledge and skills to bring significance to his multiple streams of income.
7. Advocacy and Personal Endeavors
- Animal Rights Advocacy: Rikki also likes and follows multiple campaigns and events regarding animals, and supports them actively. Although it is not an income-generating initiative, this advocacy is beneficial in the development of his public image and complements brand collaborations in noble, industry-related causes.
Career Highlights
- Forming Poison (1983): The formation of Poison resulted in the start of a marvelous period of rock music.
- Breakthrough Album (1986): Look What the Cat Dragged In is marked as the first album that introduced Poison into the world of rock music and highlighted its role in the phenomenon.
- Glam Metal Icons: By the end of the eighties, and through the early nineties, Poison can be accurately described as the standard bearer for the entire genre of glam metal, inspiring imitators among bands old and young.
- Continued Success and Touring: To this date, Poison is a well-known name, and as part of this success, Rockett has been the driving force and a definite show-stopper on the stage.
- Entrepreneurship: The opening of Rockett Drum Works and its accompanying businesses highlight not only his passion but also his knowledge of how to turn passion into profit through his motorcycle designs.
- Martial Arts Achievement: An example of this is earning the black belt in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which signifies a huge amount of practice and training that has nothing to do with music.
NET WORTH OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS | |||
1 | 2024 | $15 million | |
2 | 2023 | $13 million | |
3 | 2022 | $12.5 million | |
4 | 2021 | $12 million | |
5 | 2020 | $11 million |
Rikki Rockett: Family and Relationships
Rikki Rockett, also known as Richard Wild, comes across as a favorite rockstar, but he has much more to him in terms of his personal life, as he is a family man, a loving husband, and a friend. Here’s a closer look at his family dynamics and key relationships over the years: Here’s a closer look at his family dynamics and key relationships over the years:
Family Background
- Parents: As for the second personality, Richard Allan Ream, known as Rikki Rockett, was born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, to Norman and Margaret Ream. His family background was encouraging, and as far as his early desires and passions were concerned, he wanted to be a musician.
- Siblings: Rikki was also influenced by an older sister, Brenda Ream Reigle, who also came out on record. His early education took place in Mechanicsburg, where they had a strong family bond that fostered his future musical endeavors.
Marital census and key relationships
Marital Status
- Marriage to Melanie Martel (2008–2015): Melanie Martel became Rikki Rockett’s wife after they got married in 2008. Their marriage took seven years before they decided to get a divorce in 2015. But what has not changed is their dedication to being good parents to their children and ensuring they meet their needs.
Children
- Son: They welcomed Jude Aaron Rockett into the world on July 14, 2009. Rikki has a good relationship with his son, and sometimes he talks about the benefits and stresses accompanying parenthood, especially being a father.
- Daughter: The remarkable first baby girl, Lucy Sky Rockett, born on March 30, 2103, goes viral. In the series, Rikki frequently spends time with Lucy; he is a hard-working and caring father.
Boyfriend/Girlfriend and Other Connections
- Post-Divorce: By the time of the divorce, Rikki Rockett had somehow learned to keep his romances rather off. Still, he has disclosed some information about his dating and his relationships via interviews and public posts, stressing the importance of girlfriends who stay with him.
Friendships:
- Bandmates: Rikki and Poison members—Bret Michaels, C. C. DeVille, and Bobby Dall—had a close bond, and being a part of this band is one of Rikki’s major life accomplishments. Although this can be an interesting social life, with the natural fluctuations in the forties that are considered characteristic for a group of bands, most of them have become lifetime friends, and they have gone through many unforgettable moments.
- Music Industry Peers: Over the years, the man received friendliness from numerous peers of such kinds of music as rock’n’roll and metal. In most cases, these relationships transcend the professional realms to offer friendship with counterparts.
Personal Challenges and Triumphs
- Health Battles: Rikki Rockett, the drummer for the bands Kix and Jack Trades, was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2015. The commendable fight that he has undergone through treatment to be able to recover represents some of the strength one can possess. Throughout his fight with the disease, he was encouraged by his close ones as well as fans, the latter of which he has always underlined to have been an important means for his treatment.
- Public Support for Loved Ones: Rikki has not left many stones unturned when it comes to the support he enjoys from his family, particularly on diminutive occasions. The existing union and jointly raised kids with Melanie Martel are the key points of his personal life.
Conclusion
The story of Rikki Rockett as a rock star as well as a loving father reveals the many-sidedness and determination of the performer. From his rocking as a drummer for Poison to his fight for diabetes awareness and his win against the disease, Rockett stays a constant icon in both the music industry and the real world. They have been influenced by his creative input and, at the same time, his dedication of himself to people across the globe.