Ritchie Kotzen

Smith/Kotzen is the name of a musical collaboration between musicians Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden and Richie Kotzen of The Winery Dogs. Their self-titled debut album, released on March 26, 2021, was described by the Ultimate Classic Rock as a mix of «blues, hard rock, traditional R&B and more.» Kotzen also added jazz fusion elements to some sections. Smith/Kotzen was supported by a first single released in January 2021, titled «Taking My Chances». Both musicians share guitar, bass, vocal, composing and production duties on the album. Kotzen also plays drums on five tracks and Tal Bergman, Richie’s longstanding friend and touring partner, replaces him on songs «You Don’t Know Me», «I Wanna Stay» and «‘Til Tomorrow». The album also features special guest performance from Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain on «Solar Fire».

The true power of music is impossible to define and yet we can all feel it when the sonic planets align. The magical impact of the finest rock'n'roll - that hazy but overwhelming blend of inspiration and perspiration - sustains us through dark times and fills our hearts with joy and strength. Music unites us, nourishes us and provides us with an emotional clarity that the rest of our turbulent lives singularly fails to offer. For those reasons and many more, we must proudly acknowledge and salute the true architects of the musical world that we call home. Above all else, Ritchie Blackmore is one of rock's greatest architects; a six-string seer that laid robust foundations upon which four decades of thunderous, perpetual evolution have taken place. Call him a genius, a legend, a hero if you will, but the principal reason the great man has remained such a revered and celebrated figure for over 50 years of creative endeavor is that for Ritchie Blackmore, the music has always taken centre stage. And now, after 20 years of purposeful absence from the hard rock realm, this grand guardian's resplendent Rainbow has risen again.

Smith/Kotzen is the exciting partnership between guitarists & vocalists Adrian Smith & Richie Kotzen. Part-time LA neighbours, full time friends with a healthy mutual respect - their music is evocative of the classic rock bands of the 70’s brought bang up to date with punchy hooks, harmonies and sheer guitar virtuosity. Debut track ‘Taking My Chances’ sets the tone for this electrifying collaboration between two hugely admired rock music trail-blazers.

Ritchie Blackmore is beyond doubt one of the all-time great guitar players. From his pop roots with The Outlaws and his many session recordings in the sixties, through defining hard rock with Deep Purple and Rainbow in the seventies and eighties and on to the renaissance rock of Blackmore s Night, Ritchie has proved that he is a master of the guitar across a multitude of styles…

Ritchie Blackmore is an British guitarist and songwriter, began his professional career as a session musician as a member of the instrumental band The Outlaws and as a backing musician of pop singers Glenda Collins, Heinz, Screaming Lord Sutch, Neil Christian, etc.. Blackmore was also one of the original members of Deep Purple, playing jam-style rock music which mixed simple guitar riffs and organ sounds During his solo career, he established neo-classical metal band called Rainbow which fused baroque music influences elements with hard rock…

In June 2016, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore made his much-anticipated return to rock music as Ritchie Blackmor' s Rainbow played three concerts in Europe, two in Germany and one in England. Recordings from the two German shows at Loreley and Bietigheim make up this live album Memories In Rock. The setlist, combining classic tracks from both Deep Purple and Rainbow, was exactly what the fans had wished for…