Rikki Rockett Prepares for Book release, Reflects on Poison’s Success and Personal Journey
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
from Autonomous Success to Global Domination
Before signing with Capitol Records, Poison’s independent debut album sold over three million copies, fueled by hits like “Talk Dirty to Me,” “I Won’t Forget You,” “Cry Tough,” “I Want Action,” and the underground favorite, “Look What the Cat Dragged In.” This extraordinary success cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with.Their major label debut, ”Open Up and Say…Ahh!,” achieved diamond status with eight million copies sold, thanks to the massive hit “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” penned by Michaels.the emotionally charged ballad dominated the pop, rock, and country charts for three consecutive months. The album also spawned other chart-toppers like “Fallen Angel,” ”Nothin’ But a Good Time,” and “Your Mama Don’t Dance.” Their momentum continued with the multi-platinum album “Flesh & Blood,” which delivered more smash hits, including “Unskinny Bop” and ”Something To Believe In.”A Legacy Forged in Rock and roll
Poison’s original lineup reunited in 2022 for “The Stadium Tour,” joining forces with Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. The tour,initially planned for 2020,was delayed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond his success with Poison, Rockett has faced personal challenges, including a cancer diagnosis in 2015. After undergoing experimental treatment, he was declared cancer-free in 2016, a testament to his resilience.New Horizons: The Rockett Mafia
Rockett’s creative spirit continues to burn brightly.In October, he announced the formation of a new band, The Rockett Mafia.Joining him are Brandon Gibbs (Devil City Angels) on vocals and guitar, Mick sweda (BulletBoys) on guitar and backing vocals, and Bryan Kimes on bass and backing vocals. With “Ghost Notes” on the horizon and The Rockett Mafia making waves,Rikki Rockett shows no signs of slowing down. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the enduring spirit of rock and roll, and the ability to constantly reinvent oneself. Having trouble with custom post types and rewrite slugs in WordPress? You’re not alone.It’s a common issue that can sometimes lead to headaches. one user recently encountered this while setting up a custom post type. They’d created a unique rewrite slug, separate from the default, and were experiencing problems accessing it through the Yoast SEO plugin. Seeking Support from the Community The user decided to reach out to the Yoast SEO community for help, posting their query on GitHub [[1](https://github.com/yoast/wordpress-seo/issues/19722)]. They explained their situation, providing details about their setup and the specific issue they were facing. This type of open-source community support is invaluable for WordPress users. Platforms like GitHub allow developers and users to connect, share knowledge, and collaboratively solve problems.## Archyde Exclusive interview: Rikki Rockett on Slash, Poison’s Longevity, adn New Memoir
**Archyde:** Welcome to Archyde! It’s great to be talking to you today, Rikki. You’ve been rocking hard with Poison for decades, and you’ve got some exciting news with yoru new memoir, “Ghost Notes” coming out next year.
**Rikki Rockett:** Thanks for having me! It’s been a wild ride without a doubt, and I’m excited to share some of those stories in the book.
**Archyde:** Speaking of wild rides, let’s talk about choosing C.C. DeVille as your guitarist back in the day. There’s a big rumour that Slash auditioned for the band. Can you tell us a bit about that?
**Rikki Rockett:** Yeah, Slash definitely came by for an audition. We all knew him and liked him, and he felt like a good fit.Honestly, exactly why we went with C.C. I can’t say without a doubt anymore. But think about it - we get two iconic bands out of it: GUNS N’ ROSES and POISON. Where would GUNS be if slash had joined us? Where would POISON be? Would we even exist?
It’s impractical to know. Maybe we would have imploded, maybe it would’ve been awesome, but it’s fascinating to consider.
**Archyde:** It’s definitely one of those “what ifs” that keeps rock fans speculating. Let’s talk about your creative process. You’ve kept your music fresh for decades. What’s your secret?
**Rikki Rockett:** We still write like we’re a garage band. We write music for the live show, the soundtracks to our tours. We’ve tried to keep that energy alive throughout our career. We’re not afraid to argue and disagree. Everyone’s got strong opinions, but we try to remember we’re all in this together. We agreed on the direction, so even if someone thinks they had the best idea, we remember we make these decisions as a team.
**Archyde:** You mentioned fluidity within the band. Do you guys have fixed roles?
**Rikki Rockett:** Not really.
the roles shift every day, depending on what needs to be done. Bobby is great at the business stuff, I’m good at marketing, but we all step up in different ways. Being able to adapt and rely on each other is key.
**Archyde:** What advice would you give to musicians trying to keep a band together?
**rikki Rockett:** Play in cover bands, learn all those songs, and join a sports team. Sounds strange? It teaches you teamwork and respect for different roles. you need to know who the quarterback is, who the receiver is, and trust your teammates. In a band, it’s the same. You have to let people shine in their areas.
**Archyde:** That’s excellent advice. Now, let’s turn to your upcoming memoir, “Ghost Notes.” What can fans expect from it?
**Rikki Rockett:** It’s going to be honest and unfiltered. It covers my whole journey, from the crazy early days on the sunset Strip to everything that went down with Poison’s rise to stardom. There’s a lot of stories behind the scenes that people haven’t heard before.
**Archyde:** We’ll definitely be looking forward to it. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Rikki.
**Rikki Rockett:** My pleasure. Rock on!
—
**This interview may be used for Archyde’s website and social media.**
This is a great start to an interview with Rikki Rockett, touching on his career with Poison, his autobiography and the rumor about Slash. Here are some suggestions to make it even better:
**Expand on Existing Points:**
* **Slash Rumor:** Definitely delve into the Slash story! Who told you about it? Was ther a specific reason Slash didn’t join – did it come down to style, personality, or something else?
* **”Ghost Notes”:** What are some of the key themes or stories you explore in the book? Are there any surprising revelations or behind-the-scenes moments fans might not no about? What was the writing process like for you?
* **Poison’s Longevity:** What do you think is the secret brawl the band’s continued success and staying power? You touched on teamwork, but what else has kept you guys going strong all these years?
**Add More Engaging Questions:**
* **Musical Inspirations:** Who were some of your biggest musical influences growing up, and how did they shape Poison’s sound?
* **Evolution of Music:** How has the music industry changed sence poison first emerged, and how have you adapted to those changes?
* **New Music:** What can fans expect from The Rockett Mafia? What’s the band’s sound like? Any plans for touring or releasing new music?
* **Personal Reflections:** What are you most proud of accomplishing in your career? what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced? What have you learned along the way?
**Structure and Flow:**
* Consider organizing the interview into distinct sections with clear headings (e.g., “Early Days,” “The Slash Story,” “Poison’s Legacy,” “The Rockett Mafia,” etc.).
* Use transitions to smoothly connect your questions and keep the conversation flowing naturally.
remember to be conversational and let Rikki’s personality shine thru! Good luck with the interview,it sounds like its going to be a great one!
