Guitarist RICHIE KOTZEN Talks About His Short-Lived POISON Stint

September 17, 2004

Guitarist Richie Kotzen, who made a name for himself via his hard rock, blues-influenced albums, perhaps got his most notable exposure during his one-album stint with glam rockers POISON in the early '90s. Many regarded it as an odd pairing, having the guitar virtuoso step in for the significantly less technically proficient C.C. Deville.

But Kotzen explained to Electricbasement.com that it made sense on some level, even if it didn't on others, "Keep in mind I was in a rock 'n' roll band before that," he said. "A lot of guys back then were guitar players that never left their personal recording studios. They were genius kinds of shredders, but it ended there.

"I was always the guy who was decent on guitar, but was more into playing live and in my cover band back East. I'd throw my guitar in the air, really getting into the whole show. Even though POISON weren't the coolest band musically, they were flamboyant. When I made the record ('Native Tongue'),it was fun. Where it got to be a drag was when I had to play the old music."

Kotzen also tells his side of the story which found him dating drummer Rikki Rockett's ex-fiancée, which many believe got him ousted from band, plus why he thinks his new album, "Get Up", is the best he's ever done. Read it all here.

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