Richie Stotts

Biography

Richard Eugene Stotts (born 27 October 1953) (better known as Richie Stotts) is a New York City born musician who began writing and performing in a fledgling 1970s NYC band named “The Numbers”. Richie’s songwriting skills and lead guitar playing experience ultimately led to him becoming one of the founding members of the groundbreaking and inimitable punk rock-punk-metal group, Plasmatics. In 1978, Richie was among the earliest musicians to sport a Mohawk, taking inspiration from the Travis Bickle character in the movie Taxi Driver. In an effort to keep up with his constantly outrageous stage mate Wendy O. Williams, he would also cross dress in various items like a nurse's uniform, a tutu, a wedding dress and a French maid. After leaving the Plasmatics in 1984, Richie pursued a solo career with his band King Flux and a graduate degree in Geology. Richie appears in a brief cameo in the Kim Basinger movie 9½ Weeks. He's recognizable by the blonde mohawk and chainsaw tattoo in a party scene. He was a great friend of Joey Ramone and was one of several speakers at a CBGB's all-star tribute put on by Mickey Leigh, Joey's brother, in 2001. Dee Dee Ramone was also a friend, the two composed "Punishment Fits the Crime" which appeared on the 1989 Brain Drain album by the Ramones. In 2004, he collaborated with singer-songwriter and wife Carla Lother on several songs for her 100 Lovers album. Professional skateboarder Jeff Grosso shaved off his eyebrows in Santa Cruz Skateboards' video Speed Freaks, which he later said was inspired by Stotts.

Bio from Wikipedia