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A modern day Renaissance man, Bobby Rock is an internationally-renowned performer and music educator, a writer/author with several books to his credit, a producer, a health and fitness specialist/consultant, and the CEO/Founder of Paranormal Records, Zen Man Publishing and Rock-Solid Fitness. After studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston with Ed Kaspik and Lenny Nelson, Bobby recorded and toured with a number of funk, fusion and rock bands, and worked on a variety of movie soundtracks, jingles and record dates. Some of the early bands were the Berklee-based fusion ensemble, Interstate; rockin' funk outfit, The Lyons Avenue Jam Band; and a couple seasoned touring groups of the national club circuit, Worlds and Diamond Romeo. In 1985, after a brief association with legendary 70's rockers Rare Earth, Bobby began a three year, two album stint with ex-KISS guitarist's Vinnie Vincent Invasion. Their self-titled first album became the fastest-selling debut in the history of Chrysalis records, and their controversial "Boyz Are Gonna Rock" video and extensive tours with Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper had a 22-year old Rock busy playing arenas and all over the international press and MTV. The band's second release, All Systems Go, spawned the hit single/video "Love Kills," which wound up as the theme for one of the Nightmare on Elm Street films. (Bobby recalls: "The VVI experience was totally over-the-top. It was also, in its own way, a crash course on the biz that I would later grow to appreciate!") The VVI affiliation, along with some of his initial endorsement arrangements (most notably Sabian Cymbals), would also prove to be the genesis for Bobby's "second career" as a leading drum clinician and educator. After the Vinnie Vincent Invasion, Bobby played drums on several albums of note including veteran guitarist Bob Kulick's band, Skull (No Bones About It), Japanese guitar hero Kuni (Lookin' For Action) and even the debut release from the manic Nitro (O.F.R.), which has become something of an underground cult smash. ("Even to this day when I'm out on the road, I'm amazed at how many people still ask about the Nitro sessions and even bring out the record for me to sign," Bobby says.) From there, Bobby's increased notoriety as an educator and continued pursuit of the art form led to the release of his 1989 video/book package, Metalmorphosis(Warner Brothers). This video is still recognized as one of the most cutting-edge available over a decade later, and the book can be found in many-a practice room and teaching studio. 1989 also marked the beginning of Bobby's longtime affiliation with Geffen recording artists, Nelson, perhaps Bobby's most commercially successful project to date. Their 1990 multi-platinum debut, After The Rain, yielded four Billboard Top Ten hits and high-rotation videos, a sold-out world tour (1991-92), and numerous television appearances. In a retrospective interview, Bobby would describe his experience with Nelson as "a cultural phenomenon. We had kids roaming the hotel floors at night and following the bus around by day...it was a trip!" Bobby would go on to record two more Nelson records: Because They Can and Imaginator. Extensive band/clinic tours commenced in and around the Nelson recording/touring schedule, as did several more record dates, including work with guitarist Jake E. Lee on Japanese superstar Ann Lewis' K-Rock record. In 1993, Bobby moved full time into his solo artist/educator pursuits and began a series of grueling tours which have become somewhat legendary in the industry. In a motor home, with a two-man crew and a customized trailer, Bobby and company have zigzagged around North America numerous times, racking up tens of thousands of miles doing drumming exhibitions at conservatories, music stores, schools, theaters, "and every place in between," says Peavey drum product manager, Steven Volpp. "He has revolutionized an industry and, with over 700 educational events under his belt, Bobby is far and away the most active clinician in the business." In fact, in the past few years alone, Bobby and his crew have traveled well over a quarter-million on-the-ground miles throughout the U.S. and Canada, making countless solo exhibition and trade show appearances with his elaborate drum kits. The tours continue to this day, and all of Rock's efforts on the educational front have been duly noted as he's won the coveted "Best Clinician/Educator" category in Drum Magazine's Annual Readers Poll two times: 1998 and 2001. In 1994, after two critically-acclaimed recordings with the instrumental rock guitar duo, Garsed and Helmerich (Quid Pro Quo and Exempt), and an innovative book/audio package entitled The Encyclopedia of Groove (Warner Brothers), Bobby's debut solo EP hit the streets. This record combined soulful vocals with his now-trademark funk-rock instrumental sound, inspiring one reviewer to say it was "like Living Colour meets the Mahavishnu Orchestra." This recording has recently been re-released to CD as a 6-song EP entitled Groovin' In Tongues. 1996 saw the release of Bobby's critically-acclaimed Out Of Body record. Independent Music Review called it "an astonishing representation of his signature, instrumental funk-rock sound, showcasing Bobby's fiery chops and innovative drumming concepts." The CD features longtime band mates and co-writers, Australian guitar phenomenon Brett Garsed and New York-based session/road monster Carl "The Fox" Carter on bass. Out of Body remains Bobby's most popular solo disc. The majority of '97 found Rock touring around North America in yet another installment of Peavey's Rock Across America road show where he led an all-star band featuring Neil Zaza on guitar and Bill "The Buddha" Dickens on bass. The trio also headlined club shows and released a rip-roaring, double-live CD entitled, Snap, Crackle and Pop...Live! in '98, then returned to the road in '99 for another successful tour of the continent. '99 also found Bobby hooking up with guitar great Gary Hoey for an extensive tour in support of his Money record. Back in the familiar "power trio" format, Bobby and the band toured well into 2000, playing to sold-out clubs and theaters around the continent. Bobby continues this affiliation and is expected back in the studio soon for more recording with Hoey. 2001 has marked Bobby's long-awaited return to the instructional video arena with The Zen of Drumming. This spectacular, two-volume/three-hour production has already been heralded in the press as "The 'Apocalypse Now' of drum videos." It's also, undoubtedly, the most complete representation of Bobby's artistry to date as it features a full spectrum of solo/band performances, detailed instructional segments, philosophical insights, etc. A respected health specialist, vegan (one who follows a strict vegetarian diet and avoids any animal-based clothing or consumer goods) and advocate of drug-free living with over 25 years of sobriety, Bobby is dedicated to his healthy lifestyle and daily regimen of bodybuilding and meditation. He has a number of published articles on the subject of health and wellness and a soon-to-be-released book on the subject entitled Muscles, Mangos and Meditation. Bobby's writing prowess is further celebrated with his latest title, Hypothetical Erotica, which is a collection of erotic-tinged dilemmas designed to elicit provocative conversation. This innovative, hardcover coffee table book includes a spoken word CD, narrated and produced by Bobby, and is starting to enjoy a more mainstream audience. Bobby is now diversifying with more book signings and spoken word performances and will be debuting an interactive, "Multimedia Theater Extravaganza" based on the book in 2001. Several other book projects are in the works, including a co-write with Bill "The Buddha" Dickens on funk bass playing (due out on Warner Bros. later this year) and one featuring Bobby's memoirs, essays and poetry. Additionally, Bobby continues to produce, having recently racked up production credits on the LA-based Watson's Psychics Are Standing By, the ultra-intense self-titled EP from Orange County heavyweights, Sicktrip, and the debut release of that hard rockin' new band from Texas, Seventh Rize. He also produced two stunning Bill "The Buddha" Dickens instructional videos for Warner Brothers. Bobby currently resides in Los Angeles, although he's rarely home! Check out the artist's website: http://bobbyrock.com Track List: 1. Fearless 2. Roundabout 3. A Meditation 4. Out of Body 5. Harnazowa 6. Sledge 7. Lightworker 8. Far Journeys 9. Tunnels Part 1 10. Walk This Way 11. Liquid 12. Tunnels Part 2 13. Red Earth 14. A Meditation (Solo Reprise) 15. Frankenstein Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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