Highly influenced by the mania of the first British invasion, Rick Bozzo began his musical career in the San Fernando Valley of California as bass guitar player and vocalist with the hard-rockin' blues group "The Winding Roads". Some of their first gigs included the The Balboa Community Center, "love-ins" at Griffith Park, L.A. Battle of the Bands at Pacific Ocean Park, high school dances, outdoor concerts, and The Teenage Fair which was held annually at the Hollywood Palladium. Rick and his band was opening act for such groups as Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, The Grass Roots, Arther Lee and Love, Canned Heat, Blue Cheer, Paul Revere and the Raiders (with Mark Linsey), and the Electric Prunes. Around this time Rick met Marvin Lee Aday, now know to the world as Meatloaf. After several months of playing gigs in Southern California as "Meatloaf Soul", members Rick, Pete, Sue, Frank And ML went to Michigan for two years where they toured the Midwest and recorded their very first record on the Majenda label as Popcorn Blizzard, playing with rock and roll rebels such as The Who, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, Wayne Kramerand The MC5, as well as Motown acts such as Rare Earth. In addition, before they achieved fame, Rush with Geddy Lee was an opening act for Popcorn Blizzard. After the breakup in 1970, Meatloaf and Shaun Murphy aka "Stoney" joined the Detroit cast of Hair at the Vest Pocket Theatre. (see the separate story; MeatLoaf and Me).

After arriving in Michigan, the very first thing we did was to stop off at a local radio station in Saginaw. Our drummer Pete who was with Dick Wagner and Mark Farner of the Bossman went inside and announced the arrival and plans for the new band Popcorn Blizzard. This is the first time I heard my name on the radio! After settling into our band house we got right to work. One of our first gigs was on a flat-bed truck at a shopping mall in Midland, where we were seen by Jill LaFore who would become Meatloaf's all the way up to the Rocky Horror Picture Show era and well as Betty Gerstacker who's mom later became our financial backer. Shown on the right is Meatloaf and Rick at the band house in Freeland Michigan in the winter of 1969.

Rick then became the new bassist with Dick Wagner and The Frost on Vanguard Records. Originally based in Saginaw, Michigan, they later moved to Detroit. The Frost shared bills with Johnny and Edgar Winter, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Bob Seger, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Ted Nugent, James Gang, Grand Funk Railroad, Brownsville Station, Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels, and other mega stars of that era. Rick says, "Dick Wagner was one of the first recording artists in Michigan to retain complete create control over his own music". One of Rick's first gigs with The Frost was at the Eastown Theater in Detroit opening for Sly and the Family Stone. Another gig was at the Goose Lake Pop Festival performing for 150,000 people. After the departure of Dick Wagner, Rick played with remaining members, Don Hartman and Bob Rigg as a trio before adding keyboardist Robyn Robbins in Detroit.

After The Frost break-up, Rick returned to Los Angeles where Meatloaf was performing in Richard O'Brian's "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the Roxy Theatre on the Sunset Strip. A mutual friend of ours named Jill was working the ticket booth. Needless to say, I was a regular in the audience.

Shortly thereafter Rick found himself playing on a worldwide USO Tour with show-band Greenflow. When Rick returned to California, he formed a band with his friend, Stan Keiser called Brass Knuckles. Rick convinced Meatloaf to come and sing over some pre-recorded tracks. Shortly after that Rick heard that M.L. had gone to New York to do a Broadway play, where he met Jim Steinman. So in 1976, Rick joined the rock band Sabu. This band was also involved in doing recording session work for various artists, also performing at the San Diego Sports Arena, the Swing Auditorium, the Ice Palace in Pasadena and the famous Whiskey A Go-Go and the Starwood in Hollywood.

In 1977 I received a telegram from Meatloaf. Rick then traveled to New York where he met and rehearsed for the Bat Out Of Hell tour with Jim Steinman, Ellen Foley (who sang on the "Bat Out of Hell" album) and Rory Dodd along with Meatloaf. David Sonnenberg and road manager Sam Ellis were also there. Then came calls from Sabu's management company saying a deal was clinched with Polydor UK and that a Sabu album was to be recorded at Manta Sound in Toronto Canada. Rick says, "This turned out to be the biggest decision of my musical career, which was also influenced by Ellen's departure from the tour to do a solo album". On my way to David Sonnenberg's office to sign the contract for the "Bat Out of Hell" tour, I told him I had another commitment and was going back to L.A.".

Sabu Steffen Presley, Paul Sabu, Rick Bozzo, Dan Holmes

Later that year (1978), Rick returned to Los Angeles and the Sabu band. They then took part in what was purported to be the first commercially available digital recording, "The Bee Gee's Music"- Orinda Records , by the Glendale Symphony Orchestra conducted by Carmen Dragon, and produced by Harry Balk (who originally signed Stoney and Meatloaf). This was accompanied by a live concert at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Shortly thereafter they recorded an album for Ocean/Ariola Records just called Sabu, which included the hit Loose Lucy. Subsequent tours of Mexico led to several appearances on The Siempre En Domingo Show and Noche Noche hosted by Veronica Castro, viewed by over 50 million people in Mexico, as well as North, Central, South America, Italy and Spain, and Baby'os in Alcupolco. In addition the Sabu band recorded an album for Danielle Romo.

Soon after the release of their second album, SABU II" (MCA), Sabu toured Canada and the U.S. where he appeared on the Midnight Special, Mike Douglas, Dinah Shore and Merv Griffin T.V. shows, as well as the Billboard Disco Convention in Studio One in Los Angeles and Monte Carlo, along with superstar Ann Margret. SABU II included the hits Rock Me Slowly (MCA-1217), and Wet and Wild, which later appeared on a Kiss collecter's tape. Around this same time, Rick also appeared on The "Ann Margret" album (MCA-3226), which sold over one million copies worldwide. In addition, Rick played on most of the records by disco star, Debbie Jacobs (MCA-3156), including the number one single, Undercover Lover. Early in 1982, Rick completed an LP for Alpha Records/Japan with recording artist and former Playboy Centerfold, Cyndi Wood. In addition to frequent live performances with SABU, he recorded songs used in the cult classic movies "Hard Rock Zombies","Vice Squad", "Skin Tight", "Women in Rock and Roll; the TV show Mike Hammer starring Stacey Keach and co-staring Emma Samms, and Vanity as well as the TV pilot Friends, and "The Ann-Margret Special" on CBS television. See photo of the 'Ann Margret album" in the credits section. Jimmy McNichol and the Secret Service Band received rave reviews when they opened for James Brown at Los Angeles Universal Amphitheatre. "It was frightening to open for that audience, but the fact that we pulled it off, and won the audience over, made it all the better"' he comments. After James and the Secret Service Band opened for Brown, he went on to work for the United States Secret Service as an advisor for entertainment and actually performed for Pope John Paul's 1987 World Tour.

Rick Bozzo and Kiss founder Gene Simmons at the NAMM Show in 1992

Greg Giuffria and Angel

Shortly thereafter, Rick joined the band Angel and began working on a recording project with the band at Cherokee Studio, produced by Andy Johns, which landed the record deal for on them Camel/MCA. Later on Lee Di Carlo produced some tracks for them at A&M Studios. After Rick left the band the band went through some name changes and were later known as Angel/Giuffria and then House of Lords. Post Angel, Rick has recorded hundreds of publishing demos for Unichappell Music, Gold Hill Music and Screen Gems in addition to numerous demos for songwriters as Steve and Nat Kipner, Geoff Leib, Mark C. Anthony, John Townsend, Paul Sabu, Malcolm Jones, Chris Hillman, and Tom Seufert.

1985/86 Rick recorded the "Heartbreak" album on Heavy Metal America, ID#HMA36, a subsudiary of EMI with SABU. This album was voted one the best albums of 1985 by readers of Metal Force magazine. This was followed by a video for a show called USA Underground, hosted by Carmine Appice, which featured King Cobra, Precious Metal, and Sabu. This show has aired throughout Europe and Japan as well as on VH-1 and MTV in the states. The "Heartbreack" has recently released by Long Island records, IP#LIRC00109, in Germany. Rick also met and became friends with Larry Graham who's legendary slap and pop bass style was a big influence on Rick.

I started working on Sabu's next project, Only Child before I got a call from actor/singer Jimmy McNichol (brother of Christy McNichol), formerly the "All American" heartthrob of General Hospital, a very popular television soap opera. In 1988 Rick performed with James McNichol and the Secret Service band for the 1988 Presidential Primary Convention for the real Secret Service, in San Clemente.

The Bobby Hayden Band Rick Bozzo, Bobby Hayden, Tommy Amato

THE BOBBY HAYDEN BAND, featuring Rick Bozzo on bass and background vocals, Bobby Hayden on guitars and lead singer, Tommy Amato on drums. While working as the house band at FILTHY MCNASTY'S, we recorded an LP called NO STRANGER TO THE CITY, with 0zzy Ozbourne's, drummer, Randy Castillo. Touring behind their MTV video they gained great recognition in the midwest and Canada.

Renegade

Edward James Olmos and Rick Bozzo

Rick then went on to join Grand Slam recording artist Renegade, featuring Susan Lynch on lead vocal, a band which gained great recognition throughout Los Angeles, San Francisco, Canada and Europe. Susan had a solo album on CBS Records called "Big Reward", produced by Terry Melcher. During this time Rick also performed at Dodger Stadium for 10,000 people during the filming of the movie Talent for the Game, co-starring Lorane Bracco. Edward James Olmos was the lead singer for the movie band Slick City. Besides playing the L.A. Nightclub circuit, co-writing songs. and appearing in several movies, Rick has worked as a co-producer and in public relations. He has also worked on recording projects with Shaun Murphy (of Stoney and Meatloaf, Eric Clapton and Bob Seger); Chris Correll (Michael Jackson); Randy Castillo of Ozzy Osborne; Mark Droubay of Survivor; Joey Molland of Badfinger, and Burligh Drummond and Chris North of Ambrosia.

Razfinger

Ska Cha Cha at the On Club in Hollywood

Other band projects Rick was involved included: Fortress featuring Bill Lordan, Eric Turner, guitarist Steve Gunner, Joey Molland, (Badfinger), Raznasty, Ska Cha Cha, Michael Resigno, Kenny MIles, James Mc Nichol, Jimbo Ross, Affirmation, Cherrie Currie, Billy Burnett, Kidd Glove, Steve Kipner, Thom Suefert (Trance), Hayden, Castillo and Bozzo, Al Jacquez, Shaun Stoney Murphy, Stoney and Meatloaf, Jeff Jones, Only Child, Billy and Rocky Burnett, Juke Logan, Paul Shortino, Al Jakquez, Trantham Whitley, Deniel Edwards and John Townsend. See the photos in Rick's Scrapbook section. Rick's most current works include performing on Reggae Dreams by various artists from Rhombus Records, which followed Street Smart by Thom Teresi, also on Rhombus. Rick also appears on the CD, "That'll Do", with Westside Wayne and the Boulevard Band. Visit Westside Wayne and the Boulevard Band at the WW & TTB Website. Many more photos can be viewed in Rick's extensive Scrapbook section. Rick also saves time from his professional activities to teach bass privately.

David Borisoff of Hipshot and Rick at the NAMM show

Rick has had endorsements with G & L Guitars and Basses by Leo Fender and with Hipshot Music Products for the HS bass extender key. Recent news: Rick recently did an on-camera interview for the A & E biography channel (devoted to Meatloaf) with Todd Rundgren, Lou Adler, Amanda and Pearl Aday, Shaun Murphy aka "Stoney" & Meatloaf. This year, Rick also worked with former Meatloaf guitarist and Grammy winner Bob Kulick at his studio in North Hollywood, with female southern rock group Kona Wind. You can also read about Rick in Meatloafs' autobiography, TO HELL AND BACK with David Dalton (pages 83-97). Rick also appears in the KISS album FOCUS. Presently, Rick is the bassist for the rock/jazz fusion band Bent Branes a group of established musicians. They are working on production for their second album. The first album, SOUL OF THE NEW MACHINE, is available on Terraform Records. Hear Rick's composition from this CD: Bottoms Up Most recently, Rick did some recording at Big City Sound Studios in Los Angeles, with drummer/producer Paul Tavenar, and Rolling Stone sax extraordinaire Ernie Watts. In addition to all that, Rick did a promotion interview on KRLA's QUEED UP TONY PURCELLO for RAGGAE DREAMS VOLUME I on Rhombus Records. Ricks musical influences: John Paul Jones, Francis (Rocco) Prestina, Paul McCartney, Stanley Clark, Neil Murray, Jaco Pastorius, James Jammerson, Leeland Skalar, Jack Bruce, Larry Graham, Ron Wood, Bill Sheenan, Bob Babbit, Chris Squire, Chester McBride, Ray Brown, Chas Chandler. Rick would like to give special thanks to the following publishers, publicists and reporters: Kelv Hellraiser, Haruko Minakamai> (Japan), Yoshiko Watanaki (Japan), Antonio Ferro (Italy), Joe Wenseil (Jazz Times), Mark Mclean, Lorie Berskin, Karen Carter, Thomas Diez Guerra, You Masuta, John Sinclair, Dave Marsh (Creem magazine), Trudie DiMerario Ricks Equipment & Bass Rigs Electric Basses: 1964 Fender Precision Bass; 1976 Fender P Bass; G&L Interceptor L-2000 Bass; G&L L-2000 Fret less Bass; Travis TB-2000 Bean Fret less Bass; Rickenbacker 4001 Bass; John Carrothers Custom Bass with parametric EQ; Music Man 5 Stingray Bass Amps: Acoustic 360 1-18"; Acoustic 408 Bottom EV's 4-15"; Ampeg SVT 8-10"; Ampeg Flip Top 1-15"; Fender Dual Showman 2-15"; Rick uses electro-voice JBL and Gauss speakers Effects: Zoom 708 II Bass Pedal & Zoom 506 multi effects Bass pedal you can contact Rick at rick@rickbozzo.com Rick's MySpace page