History of Kid Rock in Timeline
Kid Rock, born Robert James Ritchie, is an American musician known for his diverse musical style. Starting in hip-hop, he gained mainstream fame with rap rock before transitioning to country rock. A self-taught and multi-instrumentalist, he is a singer, rapper, and songwriter who has overseen production on the majority of his albums.
1988: Formation of Top Dog Records
In 1988, Alvin Williams and Earl Blunt of EB-Bran Productions formed the independent record label Top Dog Records.
1989: Kid Rock Becomes Shareholder of Top Dog Records
In 1989, Kid Rock became a shareholder of Top Dog Records, investing in the company and gaining 25% ownership.
March 1991: Kid Rock Faced Misdemeanor Charges
In March 1991, Kid Rock faced misdemeanor charges stemming from alcohol-related arrests in Michigan.
1993: Birth of Kid Rock's Son and Relationship Split
In the summer of 1993, Kelley South Russell, Kid Rock's classmate, gave birth to his son, Robert James Ritchie Jr. Later that year, in late 1993, they ended their on-and-off relationship after Kid Rock discovered that only one of the two children they were raising together was his.
September 1997: Kid Rock Faced Misdemeanor Charges
In September 1997, Kid Rock faced misdemeanor charges stemming from alcohol-related arrests in Michigan.
1997: Kid Rock Writes "Cool, Daddy Cool"
In 1997, Kid Rock wrote the song "Cool, Daddy Cool", which included controversial lyrics, later used in the 2001 movie Osmosis Jones.
1998: MTV Describes Kid Rock's Sound
In a 1998 piece, MTV described Kid Rock's sound as having "heavy-metal licks and rap riffs".
1999: Kid Rock Sex Tape
In 1999, Kid Rock and Scott Stapp of Creed were filmed partying and receiving oral sex from groupies, resulting in legal action in 2006 to halt its distribution.
2000: Kid Rock Dates Jaime King
In 2000, Rolling Stone reported that Kid Rock was dating model Jaime King.
2000: Kid Rock's Philosophy on People
In a 2000 Rolling Stone interview, Kid Rock stated, "I've got a lot of faith in people. Whether it's some kid with a trust fund that people tease because he's got a trust fund, you know. I think there's some good ones out there, just like I think there's some good crackheads out there. It works both ways."
2001: Kid Rock Dates Pamela Anderson
In 2001, Kid Rock began dating actress Pamela Anderson.
2001: Confederate flag display at concerts
In 2001, Kid Rock began displaying the Confederate flag at his concerts, a practice he continued until 2006.
2001: Kid Rock Files Lawsuit for Control of Top Dog Records
In 2001, Kid Rock filed a lawsuit seeking full control over the Top Dog record label.
2001: "Cool, Daddy Cool" used in Osmosis Jones
Kid Rock's "Cool, Daddy Cool" was used in the children's movie Osmosis Jones in 2001.
April 2002: Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson Get Engaged
In April 2002, Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson became engaged.
2002: Kid Rock Performs in Tribute to Jam Master Jay
In 2002, Kid Rock performed alongside Chuck D and Grandmaster Flash in a tribute to the slain DJ Jam Master Jay.
2003: Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson End Their Relationship
In 2003, Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson ended their relationship after being engaged.
2003: Kid Rock Gains Full Ownership of Top Dog Records
In 2003, Kid Rock gained full ownership of the Top Dog record label after the lawsuit filed in 2001.
2004: Kid Rock's Super Bowl Performance Draws Criticism
Kid Rock's performance at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 was criticized by Veterans of Foreign Wars and Senator Zell Miller for cutting a hole in an American flag and wearing it as a poncho, with accusations of "desecrating" the flag.
January 2005: Kid Rock Performs at George W. Bush's Inaugural Address
In January 2005, Kid Rock performed at the inaugural address of reelected president George W. Bush, drawing criticism from conservative groups for his lyrics.
September 2005: Kid Rock Fills In for Johnny Van Zant at Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert
In September 2005, Kid Rock filled in for Johnny Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, on the band's hit "Sweet Home Alabama" at the Hurricane Katrina benefit concert.
2005: Kid Rock Charged with Assault
In 2005, Kid Rock was charged with assaulting a DJ in a strip club.
July 2006: Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson Get Married
In July 2006, Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson reconciled and got married.
2006: End of Confederate flag display at concerts
In 2006, Kid Rock stopped displaying the Confederate flag at his concerts, a practice he had started in 2001.
2006: Red Light District Attempts to Distribute Sex Tape
In 2006, the California pornographic film company Red Light District attempted to distribute a 1999 sex tape featuring Kid Rock and Scott Stapp, leading to legal action to stop the tape's distribution.
2007: Kid Rock Fights Tommy Lee and a Waffle House Customer
In 2007, Kid Rock got into a fistfight with Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee at the MTV Video Music Awards and was later arrested for battery after fighting with a customer at Waffle House. He pleaded no contest to one count and was fined, ordered to perform community service, and complete anger management.
2007: Kid Rock Tours for the USO
In 2007, Kid Rock toured for the United Service Organizations (USO).
2007: Kid Rock's Divorce from Pamela Anderson Finalized
In 2007, Kid Rock's divorce from Pamela Anderson was finalized.
2007: Kid Rock Stops Displaying Confederate Flag at Concerts
Kid Rock stopped displaying the Confederate flag at his concerts since 2007.
2008: Kid Rock Records "Warrior" for National Guard
In 2008, Kid Rock recorded and created a music video for the song "Warrior" for a National Guard advertising campaign.
2008: Support for Barack Obama
In 2008, Ritchie supported newly elected President Barack Obama, saying that Obama's election was "a great thing for black people."
2011: Kid Rock Honored by NAACP
In 2011, Kid Rock was honored by the NAACP, sparking protests due to his past use of the Confederate flag. He addressed the flag's display, stating it was never done with hate. His publicist announced 2011 as the year he officially distanced himself from the flag.
2012: Kid Rock Performs in Honor of Beastie Boys
In 2012, Kid Rock performed alongside Travie McCoy and the Roots in honor of the Beastie Boys during their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
2012: Campaigning for Mitt Romney
In 2012, Ritchie campaigned for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney; the candidate used Ritchie's song "Born Free" as his campaign theme.
2013: Kid Rock Criticizes New York Lawmakers
In 2013, Kid Rock criticized Republican lawmakers in New York for passing laws that made it difficult for him to keep concert ticket prices low.
2014: Kid Rock Becomes a Grandfather
In 2014, Kid Rock became a grandfather when his son's girlfriend gave birth to a daughter.
2015: Endorsement of Ben Carson
In 2015, Ritchie publicly endorsed Ben Carson for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2016 election.
2015: Charleston church shooting protest
In 2015, following the Charleston church shooting, the Michigan chapter of the National Action Network protested outside of the Detroit Historical Museum which honored Ritchie. They urged Ritchie to renounce the Confederate flag, which he had displayed in concerts from 2001 to 2006. Ritchie responded with an email to Megyn Kelly, and the National Action Network protested Chevrolet for sponsoring Ritchie's tour.
2015: Detroit Free Press on Kid Rock's Reinvention
In 2015, the Detroit Free Press noted that Kid Rock reinvented "his persona from scrappy hip hop street kid to swaggering rock-rap showman."
February 2016: Approval of Donald Trump's campaign
In February 2016, Ritchie voiced approval for Donald Trump's campaign for the same office.
September 2016: Criticism for remarks about Colin Kaepernick
In September 2016, Ritchie was criticized for allegedly saying "man, fuck Colin Kaepernick" during a live performance of his song "Born Free".
October 2017: End to Senate run speculation
In October 2017, Ritchie put an end to the speculation of a senate run and clarified that the campaign was a joke. He donated the $122,000 he had raised by selling "Kid Rock for U.S. Senate" merchandise to CRNC Action, a College Republican group.
November 2017: Kid Rock Engaged to Audrey Berry
In November 2017, Kid Rock became engaged to longtime girlfriend Audrey Berry.
March 2018: Kid Rock to Perform on Lynyrd Skynyrd's Final Tour
In March 2018, Kid Rock announced his participation in Lynyrd Skynyrd's final tour before the Southern rock band's retirement. He was scheduled to perform alongside other artists such as Hank Williams Jr., Bad Company, the Marshall Tucker Band, and 38 Special.
April 6, 2018: Induction into WWE Hall of Fame
On April 6, 2018, Ritchie was inducted into the Celebrity Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame during the weekend of WrestleMania 34.
September 21, 2018: Release of Greatest Hits: You Never Saw Coming
On September 21, 2018, Kid Rock released his first greatest hits album, titled Greatest Hits: You Never Saw Coming.
2018: WWE Hall of Fame speech
During his speech at the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, Ritchie stated that he wanted to "body slam some Democrats".
November 30, 2019: Controversial statements at Nashville restaurant
On November 30, 2019, Ritchie drew controversy after he was recorded making a series of inappropriate and inflammatory statements while intoxicated at his restaurant in Nashville, including about Oprah Winfrey and Joy Behar.
December 2019: Closure of Detroit restaurant branch
In December 2019, after receiving major pushback for his comments made on November 30, Ritchie decided to close the Detroit branch of his restaurant, located at the Little Caesar's Arena.
March 29, 2020: Kid Rock Releases "Quarantine" as DJ Bobby Shazam
On March 29, 2020, Kid Rock, under the alias "DJ Bobby Shazam", released his first single titled "Quarantine", featuring an old-school hip-hop sound. He pledged that all proceeds from the single would go towards fighting COVID-19.
June 2021: Controversy over use of homophobic slur
In June 2021, Kid Rock attracted further controversy for using the word "faggot" onstage during a tirade against fans who were filming his performance. He later defended his remarks while "reaffirming his love for his homosexual friends".
November 18, 2021: Release of "Don't Tell Me How To Live"
On November 18, 2021, Kid Rock released "Don't Tell Me How To Live", the first single from his upcoming triple album. The song, featuring Monster Truck, has a rap rock sound reminiscent of his Devil Without a Cause album.
December 17, 2021: Release of "Ala-Fuckin-Bama"
On December 17, 2021, Kid Rock released a cover of Trace Adkins' "Ala-Freaking-Bama", titled "Ala-Fuckin-Bama".
January 25, 2022: Kid Rock Releases "We the People," "Rockin'," and "The Last Dance"
On January 25, 2022, Kid Rock released the single "We the People", which criticizes the media, Anthony Fauci, face masks, COVID-19 restrictions, and Big Tech. He also released "Rockin'" and "The Last Dance" on the same day.
January 28, 2022: Kid Rock Announces Restrictions on Bad Reputation Tour
On January 28, 2022, Kid Rock announced that he would not perform at venues requiring masks and proof of COVID-19 vaccination on his upcoming Bad Reputation Tour, and that he would cancel shows at such places.
March 10, 2022: Kid Rock Announces Upcoming Album "Bad Reputation"
On March 10, 2022, Kid Rock announced his twelfth studio album, Bad Reputation, which would include his five previously released singles. The album was digitally released on March 21, with a physical release on April 6.
June 2022: Defense of controversial statements
In June 2022, Ritchie said he had nothing to apologize for regarding the incident of November 30 in an interview with Tucker Carlson on Tucker Carlson Originals: Life of a Rockstar.
June 30, 2022: Posting controversial meme
On June 30, 2022, Kid Rock posted a meme on Truth Social and on Twitter stating, "If you're anti-gun, you don't get to celebrate the 4th of July, You would have never fought back. Enjoy your pride month. Pussy."
July 2022: Accusations of homophobia
In July 2022 Kid Rock faced additional accusations of homophobia following his June 30 meme.
January 2023: Kid Rock Collaborates on "No Limits"
In January 2023, Kid Rock collaborated with Fueled by 808, Austin Mahone, and Jimmie Allen on the single "No Limits".
April 3, 2023: Shooting Bud Light beer in protest
On April 3, 2023, Kid Rock posted a video on Twitter in which he is shown shooting cases of Bud Light beer cans with a submachine gun, in response to an advertising campaign by Anheuser-Busch that features transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. After the shooting, he exclaims, "Fuck Bud Light. Fuck Anheuser-Busch."
July 18, 2024: Performance at Republican National Convention
On July 18, 2024, Ritchie performed his song "American Bad Ass" for the 2024 Republican National Convention with modified lyrics to show his support for Trump.
2025: Kid Rock and Audrey Berry Split
By 2025, Kid Rock and Audrey Berry were no longer together.
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