Any one of those words can be used to describe his technique. The nickname has been with him since the late 70's when he was working in one of his first sessions (fusion was big at that time), and it called for some fast guitar work. The keyboard player listened to him play and immediately nicknamed him 'Rocket". The name was self-apparent and it stuck. His family name, Ritchotte (pronounced Ri-shot) is French-Canadian Indian, descendants of the Cree Indians.
Rocket was born in Temple, Texas and grew up in Attleboro, a small town in Massachusetts. His father, a country guitarist going by the name Rick Rayle, had young Rocket appear with him on stage at the Grand Ol' Opry. Rayle played with many greats fromJohnny Cash to Minnie Pearl. Rocket traded in his Mickey Mouse guitar (literally) and started guitar lessons with his father at age 11. Five years later, he was playing clubs all over Boston and Providence (they were a little more lax on ID's back then).
At 18, Rocket left home to try his talent in Los Angeles and it proved to be a great move. He met a guitar enthusiast named Doug Parry who introduced him to the band members of Iron Butterfly. While jamming with his new friends, he was noticed by KISS member Gene Simmons who touted him to Cher. Cher was looking for a guitarist for her Vegas act and she quickly hired Rocket to tour with her from Atlantic City to Monaco. When Cher decided to start a rock band, she called on Rocket to play for "Black Rose". Black Rose made one record with Casablanca and toured as openers for Hall & Oates.
1.Ain't Got Nothin 05:03
2.Five by Five 03:15
3.Broken Heart 05:05
4.Tear It Up 02:42
5.Give (your love to me) 03:09
6.Night Queen 03:12
7.Bye Bye 03:24
8.Never Loved a Woman 03:41
9.Take Me Away 05:21
10.Woke Up Dead 04:44
11.When a Man Loves a Woman 05:28
REED – RITCHOTTE – Finally… 2012
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