Stampede rodeo has drummer stomping mad
By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 2, 2008 at 2:16 p.m.
Updated July 3, 2008 at 1:03 p.m.
Rikki Rockett, of the band Poison, is an animal- rights activist.
A glam-metal rocker is bucking the Greeley Stampede, vowing to use the band Poison's Saturday gig there to educate fans about "rodeo cruelty."
"I had no idea that this gig included a rodeo," Poison drummer Rikki Rockett, an animal rights crusader for 16 years, said in a statement.
The 86-year-old Greeley tradition bills itself as the "World's Largest 4th of July Rodeo."
"I am blown away that I missed the description of this show on our touring schedule," said Rockett, 46, whose real name is Richard Ream. "I have a huge problem with animal cruelty at rodeos."
The drummer leads an annual crusade against "puppy mill atrocities" in his native Pennsylvania, according to the statement.
The Greeley Stampede's Web site has a page on animal welfare that states: "Like most people, cowboys believe animals should be treated humanely and with dignity. Professional Rodeo (Cowboys Association) values its animals and staunchly protects them with rules specifically designed to prevent cruelty or even unintentional mistreatment."
It stresses that PRCA rules safeguard livestock, including disqualification and fines for anyone who abuses an animal, along with veterinary inspection and proper care requirements for all livestock.
Rockett, however, slammed rodeo operators' use of "tools of torment" - including electronic prods, buck straps and spurs - to rile bulls and broncs in competitions "partly scored on how wild an animal acts."
The Stampede's Web site says that spurs must be dulled and that locked spur "rowels" - the pointed rotating wheels - may be used only on bareback horses or saddle broncs.
It states that a 1993 survey of 28 PRCA rodeos indicated "the injury rate for animals was so low as to be statistically negligible. Of 33,991 animal exposures, just 16 were injured, according to data compiled by on-site veterinarians."
Stampede spokesman Justin Watada responded later Wednesday to Rockett's comments.
"The Greeley Stampede does not condone the mistreatment of animals in the production of the annual rodeo," said Watada in an e-mail to the Rocky. "The Greeley Stampede extends a personal invitation to Mr. Rockett to meet with the rodeo committee and stock contractor regarding any concerns."
Despite the controversy, Poison's Greeley show will go on.
"I have decided to keep my commitment to the fans and educate them about rodeo cruelty at the same time," Rockett said.
He added that he'll use the concert as a platform to push for improving animal treatment at the professional rodeo that the event's Web site calls "the heart of the Greeley Stampede."
He asked rodeo organizers to respect his "freedom of speech."
"I want people who oppose rodeos on the basis of cruelty to be able to distribute information at the show," he said.
Rockett said fellow bandmates agree that this will be Poison's "last gig" at a rodeo.
The rockers aren't the only entertainers to bolt rodeo-based shows.
Matchbox twenty apologized to fans for pulling out of a July 18 show at Cheyenne Frontier Days, urging people to "please understand that it would be impossible for us to put ourselves in the position of making money from what we believe to be the mistreatment of animals."
In 2006, American Idol winner Carrie Underwood pulled the plug on her Frontier Days performance.
The Wyoming rodeo, dubbed the "Daddy of 'Em All," has this statement on its Web site: "Cheyenne Frontier Days advocates animal care that recognizes the well-being of animals, including those used and cared for by humans. We believe the right to own and use animals carries an obligation to provide proper care for all animals included in our celebration."
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No. 44 means a lot to Floyd Little
July 2, 2008
2:48 p.m.
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temurlan writes:
Oh boy, the fans are gonna love him.
July 2, 2008
2:55 p.m.
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steel writes:
Who was the genius that had the idea to book them?
July 2, 2008
2:58 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
"He asked rodeo organizers to respect his "freedom of speech. "
What a hypocrite. He doesn't respect the freedom of others, but expects it for himself.
"Rockett said fellow bandmates agree this will be Poison's "last gig" at a rodeo."
I'm sure the 9 fans that even remember those washed up old geezers will be heartbroken. All of Poison's fans will have to get in a minivan and drive down to next year's "gig" at the nursing home in Arizona.
July 2, 2008
2:59 p.m.
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ShowMe writes:
I guess I'm missing the bigger picture: Why would you book a hard rock show at a country & western event in the first place?
July 2, 2008
3:02 p.m.
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GlacierDragon writes:
I'm thinking they might want to (pardon the pun) beef up security if he's going to be preaching this kind of thing at a rodeo.
July 2, 2008
3:03 p.m.
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NotUrFriend writes:
It's good to see a person who isn't scared to show some spine for a noble cause. I wish him success in this endeavor!
Isaac
July 2, 2008
3:07 p.m.
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vudumom writes:
Poison is not hard rock. They are bubblegum rock, HUGE difference!
July 2, 2008
3:25 p.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Have a steak and lighten up!
July 2, 2008
3:27 p.m.
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FlyfishDude52 writes:
Poison was the favorite of 12 year old girls at the time of their biggest success.
I think the promoters better find a new act fast & fire these guys. How upsetting that you hire a band to play & they end up preaching their diatribe at you.
"It's only rock'n'roll but I like it, like it, yes I do."
July 2, 2008
3:33 p.m.
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Andy writes:
Who told him that rodeo animals are abused? The only animal I've seen routinely abused at rodeos are the human animals. ; )
July 2, 2008
3:42 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
eeewww...Poison?
July 2, 2008
4:15 p.m.
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7_ogNiOj writes:
I love it when the bulls stomp on the guys heads...hard.
July 2, 2008
4:16 p.m.
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Shadow writes:
Maybe the enviormentalist should protest Poison. I bet that the gases they release from all that hair spray they use, is a major contributor to the global warming crisis.
Everyone in the front of the stage should all hold up either a hot dog or a hamburger when poison comes out to play.
July 2, 2008
4:51 p.m.
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ItsJustme writes:
In the words of Laura Ingraham, "Shut up and sing."
I don't know why anyone would really even want to hear you sing. But one thing is clear, no one is paying to hear your political opinions. Go "educate" someone else!
July 2, 2008
5:36 p.m.
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sharigwynn writes:
Next time maybe they'll listen to me and bring back Journey. I guess that Rikki Rockett has never seen his bandmate's Rock of Love...now that is animal cruelty at it's worst.
July 2, 2008
5:50 p.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
What about the HOGS this guy has ridden over the years? (and no I don't mean Harleys).
July 2, 2008
7:01 p.m.
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jjez writes:
They're going to need to hire extra grounds workers to pick up all the pamphlets that the protesters will be handing out because everyone there will just drop them. I hope they take the extra expense out of Poison's pay! Well, I guess we should give them a break, it's not like "stampede" has any connotation associated with cows or horses! (LMAO) What a doofus!
July 2, 2008
7:53 p.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
But he's still going to cash their check, of course. I mean, there's principles, and then there's getting paid.
July 2, 2008
9:50 p.m.
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hckydood writes:
Wow, headlining the Greeley Stampede!! Too bad the Douglas County Fair has a rodeo, we could probably afford the $300 Poion gets for a show these days....
July 3, 2008
6:26 a.m.
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kc02 writes:
I hope there are microphone malfunctions right when this idiot goes about "educating" the crowd about rodeo cruelty.
Just cancel his stupid contract. Why even give these has-beens a stage?
July 3, 2008
6:30 a.m.
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ham writes:
The biggest market for Leather Goods are washed up hair bands. Do they know where the leather comes from?
I say some grizzled cowboys show this loser that his views would be much better received in San Francisco.
The really noble thing to do would be for the band to cancel. Why play at a place that abuses animals? It's not for the (gasp) money, is it?
July 3, 2008
7:38 a.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
Was it the "Stampede" part that threw him off or what...?
Someone give him a big fat line of the ya-ya and he will be right back at it!
July 3, 2008
8:30 a.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
I guess Greeley got " REAMED "....;-)...
July 3, 2008
8:47 a.m.
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PeanutGallery writes:
So, the rodeo fans show up. They get lectured by a has-been '80's hair band, then forced to listen to really bad music. They are gonna be thrilled.
Why don't they let the band out of the contract to play there? The band doesn't want the gig, I doubt the fans wanna hear what they have to say, just give it up already!
Wonder if they'll be checking bags for rotten tomatoes on the way in.
July 3, 2008
9:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
davies writes:
I hope the show goes on - it will be too funny! If Mr. Doofus Drummer thinks he's aghast now, wait until he tries to lecture all those supposedly ignorant rednecks in Greeley.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be right back, we're going to take a short break to change our underwear..."
July 3, 2008
9:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
jhdteacher writes:
just checkin' in to make sure some clever person wrote "peta: people eating tasty animals"...sure enough, someone did
July 3, 2008
9:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
Elwood writes:
The band saw ticket sales were down and figured to raise them with a controversial statement. I hope that anyone buying tickets now is also shopping for some tainted tomatoes to show their appreciation.
July 3, 2008
9:36 a.m.
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surferon writes:
Nobody is paying to go to the show to get lectured. Get off your high horse and play the f-ing drums. I love celebrities that tell you how you should live your life. Did they get a degree in anything meaningful, for that matter did they even go to college or graduate high school?
A lot of actors and musicians graduated high school and that's it but they still feel they have to tell you what to do.
When did ignorance become a point of view?
July 3, 2008
9:45 a.m.
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davies writes:
PETA: Poison Educates Tacky Audiences?
July 3, 2008
9:46 a.m.
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jhdteacher writes:
incredible to read the rodeo's claims of "animal welfare"...one hears the same b.s. from the horse-racing industry when, in fact, their own industry reports 3 equine deaths a day at racetracks around the country
http://sports.yahoo.com/rah/news?slug...
July 3, 2008
9:55 a.m.
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davies writes:
jhdt: Well, what is the total number of "equines" that populate all the various racetracks around the country on a given day? Maybe three deaths a day is pretty much a normal mortality rate, if we're talking 10,000 frickin' horses.
July 3, 2008
10:02 a.m.
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Dude writes:
I thought they were dead..
July 3, 2008
10:10 a.m.
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WillyNilly writes:
Funniest story to come along this week. I mean, first someone brainfarts and books this band for a rodeo event. Poison? At the Greeley Stampede? That's laughable in itself, I bet all the cowboys and cowgirls will love the show.....screaming guitars, spandex, long hair, yep just right for the rodeo crowd.
Then we have this bozo's comment that he didn't realize it might be a rodeo. I mean, it's GREELEY COLORADO, called a STAMPEDE, gee there might be some cowboy stuff going on there don't ya think?
And then he says they're going to use this gig for a stage to present their views on how rodeos are cruel to animals. Yeah that ought to go down real good with the rodeo guys, and they aren't REDNECKS or anything like that now are they? I'm sure they will stand and listen quietly while the guy with big hair lectures them on animal rights.
It's great to start a holiday weekend with a laugh, I sure got one out of this..can't wait to hear how it all turns out.
July 3, 2008
10:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
jhdteacher writes:
"Well, what is the total number of "equines" that populate all the various racetracks around the country on a given day? Maybe three deaths a day is pretty much a normal mortality rate, if we're talking 10,000 frickin' horses."
normal deaths?...you think racehorses are dying from old age or disease as they're whipped around the track?
July 3, 2008
10:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
anteup writes:
Are they going to hire jazz singer Rene Marie to open with the National Anthem too? I mean, we Americans aren't getting enough lectures on political correctness yet, now we need to pay for more! Rockett, and others like him need to quit mixing business with personal agendas. Aren't the American people fed up with paying for entertainment and receiving "politics" for their hard earned money? This show needs to be canceled and if it is not it should be boycotted.
July 3, 2008
10:57 a.m.
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ShowMe writes:
Just like a scene out of The Blues Brothers. Maybe Poison can turn it around like Jake & Elwood did at Bob's Country Bunker...or not...
July 3, 2008
11:29 a.m.
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Big_D writes:
There is a place for all God's great creatures, right next to the potatoes.
This concert will be a great playground for my favorite game: Holly Mullet! Find the most defined Mullet in this crowd. Eric I'm looking at you to repeat this year.
Spot the largest belt buckle game is also popular with the country crowd at this gig.
July 3, 2008
11:32 a.m.
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temurlan writes:
They booked Poison because they thought an "86-year-old Greeley tradition" deserved an "86 year-old band"
July 3, 2008
11:35 a.m.
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hikingartist writes:
"Aren't the American people fed up with paying for entertainment and receiving "politics" for their hard earned money?" I think audience members who tell the musicians to shut up and play are just weak, untalented losers.
Here what you do anteup; first, get some talent. Then turn it into a marketable skill and you get to hold the microphone and say what you want. Until then, you are just another small indistinguishable voice from the discontented rabble.
People on stage can say what they want. Its a free country. As that applies I am free not to pay to see them if i don't agree with them, but I will never, ever tell them to shut up. It is a free country.
July 3, 2008
11:48 a.m.
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davies writes:
jhdt: C'mon, you're the one who implied that 3 horse deaths a day at the nation's racetracks is evidence of cruelty, so back it up.
What's the normal life expectancy of a horse? How many horses are kept at all of the nation's racetracks? I've only been to one, but there sure were a whole bunch of horses there.
hikingartist: I'll agree with what you said this time, as long as it applies to Ted Nugent as well as the Dixie Chicks ;-)
July 3, 2008
12:07 p.m.
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hikingartist writes:
It does davies. For the record, I saw Ted in 1976 when he was relevant.
July 3, 2008
12:16 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
How bout a big, bloody piece of prime rib?
Really, that pic looks a bit like Chucky from Child's Play.
July 3, 2008
12:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
anteup writes:
hikeartist, that sounds a little like fraud to me. You advertise one thing and do another. If I pay money to hear a concert (or whatever kind of art you lay claim to) and you start preaching something that has nothing to do with what was advertised and what I paid for, where do I go to get my money back? Are you "artists" just to friggin cheap to get your own venue to spew your crap or must you deceive the public to get a "captive audience"? No one gives a flying leap about your point of view when they are paying to see your "talent". I can't see where demanding what I paid for makes me an untalented loser anymore than paying you to dictate your politics to me under the guise of entertainment would make you talented.
July 3, 2008
12:23 p.m.
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steel writes:
Strap Rikki Rockett onto the back of a brahma bull and see which one comes out abused.
July 3, 2008
12:39 p.m.
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davies writes:
Manager/bail bondsman of Poison, addressing the band:
"Well boys, there goes our three month gig at Sea World in San Diego this winter. But never mind, that Tofu convention in Portland is looking good."
July 3, 2008
1:08 p.m.
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boxer writes:
Hat's off to Rikki Rockett. Glad to hear this is their last gig of this nature. Who would want to subjuect themselves to a bunch of uneducated hill-billies anyway? If you need to be cruel to animals to have fun, then your life is sadly lacking, my friends. Mr. Rockett surely couldnt care less about the ignorance in these posts as his life is of a higher caliber. Karma probably has a lot to do with his good fortune.
July 3, 2008
1:09 p.m.
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RockyMtnMac writes:
Umm - Isn't Brett (the lead singer) a diabetic? Because insulin comes from cow's pituitary glands - and anything gel-based (like drum heads and tips on drums sticks) use beef by-products. Yeah not to mention leather. What hypocrisy! Oh- and yeah I bleed for that poor 1 Ton animal (traveling with it's own vet) being ridden for 8 seconds by a 200 lb man.
July 3, 2008
1:29 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
"Poison? At the Greeley Stampede? That's laughable in itself, I bet all the cowboys and cowgirls will love the show.....screaming guitars, spandex, long hair, yep just right for the rodeo crowd."
you guys have no idea the draw they have in the white trash crowd.
really.
July 3, 2008
1:43 p.m.
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shidela writes:
Animals in rodeos suffer - whether it's the 8 seconds in the ring, being poked, prodded and shocked in the chute, or in transport from event to event. Animals are not ours to use for entertainment or financial gain. When you go to the rodeo, you support animal cruelty. End of story.
July 3, 2008
2:01 p.m.
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jhdteacher writes:
davies writes:
jhdt: C'mon, you're the one who implied that 3 horse deaths a day at the nation's racetracks is evidence of cruelty, so back it up.
dude, i provided you with a "back it up" link (see above posting)
July 3, 2008
2:13 p.m.
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OhBrother writes:
Greely? Wow-they need to fire the manager right this instant. who ever thought this would be a good idea in the first place must have been high on the finest meth shelbyville has to offer, great work captin.
July 3, 2008
2:13 p.m.
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FastEddie writes:
Hey Surferon
So when was it writen that compassion and common decency was restricted only to those who attended schools of higher learning? I would say ignorance became a point of view when you spouted your opinion. So much for the "highly educated" among us.
July 3, 2008
3:04 p.m.
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wow writes:
On the one hand, it's nice to see washed up hair bands doing something to change the world...participation in something as ridiculous as PETA is better than nothing at all.
On the other hand... these guys being too dumb to connect the dots and see that all their summer gigs in the west have a chance of being Rodeo related, makes me think that the animals could do better fending for themselves. They should stick to playing BatMitzvahs.
BTW, the Stampede featured Def Leppard about 5 years ago. Every one thought they were dead too.
July 3, 2008
4:05 p.m.
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JohnMayer writes:
I don’t know anything about Poison or their music, but I admire their grit in standing up for a principle and against animal cruelty; it would have been much easier for them just to ignore a wrong and take the money. There’s enough pain and suffering in this world without an entertainment industry pretending to be part of American history selling cruelty to witless gawkers. We’ve finally outlawed dog fighting and rooster (the robosensor wouldn’t let me use the usual term) fighting, five Spanish towns have condemned bullfighting; and rodeos are fading away even without the enforcement of cruelty laws.
I don’t know if, as some here claim, Poison’s popularity is diminishing; nobody stays a star forever. But they seem to have done okay; according to Wikipedia they are “icons of the glam metal genre,” whatever that is, having “sold more than 25 million records worldwide, including 14.5 million in the United States alone.” Rodeo, on the other hand, is definitely on the way out, judging by the sparse crowds in photos I’ve seen of major rodeo events.
Say, know what has 62 feet and five teeth? The crowd at a rodeo.
July 3, 2008
4:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
libover30 writes:
It is very disturbing to see so many people who enjoy animal cruelty and who feel that animal cruelty is okay. It also shows who has morals and who doesn't. Who in their right mind would want to hurt a living, breathing creature? Only those who love to torture.
Yeah, we can all laugh at the guy who says he loves God's creatures, right beside potatoes, but what if the tables were turned and you were that creature?
It takes a very strong person to stand up against those who feel it is okay to torture, wear, entertain with, and just down right kill these creatures. So to all of those who feel that this is okay, may you get only as good as you give! That is all one can say.
All I can say to this group is 'rock on' and thank you for standing up against some of the most stupid and cruel people that think it is so funny to torture these beautiful and innocent creatures!!
July 3, 2008
7:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ulysses writes:
Brutality towards animals is brutality. Period. Whether it's disguised as a so-called "American tradition" as rodeos are, or not.
A rodeo is not a place where a real man showcases his strength and talent, rather it's a place for a weak excuse for the male gender goes to torture animals. Plain and simple.
July 4, 2008
9:03 a.m.
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bright_eyed_bambi writes:
Who's kidding who? Brutality is inherent in rodeo. Thomas A. Edison admonished us saying, "Until we stop harming all living things we are still savages."
July 4, 2008
9:45 a.m.
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Goosegunner writes:
To bright_eyed_bambi
What died when you ate today?
July 4, 2008
11:23 a.m.
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peryan writes:
Dog fighting, rooster fighing, and bull fighting all end with an animals death. Show me where in the rodeo do you see and animal die?
For those of you who so firmly believe that the animals are treated badly, have you ever been to a rodeo? Do you get that the people who supply the livestock get a hefty check and if they injured an animal or didn't take good care of them, not only would they be fined, but also no longer able to participate.
As for Poison using the concert as a politcal stage, whatever. It will fall on deaf or drunk ears and be blown off (after those Greeley rednecks boo them).
I can't believe they didn't know this gig was connected to a rodeo. Almost every area in Colorado will have a rodeo this summer. If it is outside it will probably have a rodeo.
July 4, 2008
11:31 a.m.
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sidewinder writes:
If rodeo is so hard on humans, why do it? There are other extreme "sports" to try that don't involve animals who never agreed to participate in the first place. The "competitors" can try extreme wrasslin', extreme boxin' and wrasslin', extreme make-up-yer-own-sports. There are all kinds of other things to do to get hurt.
The hard part to watch in rodeo is the look in the eyes of the bulls and broncs. It doesn't show compliance. Rodeo doesn't show compassion.
July 4, 2008
12:58 p.m.
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FastEddie writes:
Peryan
Show you where a rodeo animal dies? Go to youtube. There are over a hundred videos that will show you where in rodeo an animal dies and lots of them. As for stock contractors being fined if an animal is injured I have to ask you by who? The local Lions Club? If they were clotheslining Golden Retreivers instead of calves they'd be charged with a felony
Is that what you call treating them good. Yes I've been to rodeos. Have you ever went to one with your eyes open. Obviously not.
July 4, 2008
2:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
sidewinder writes:
I agree with FastEddie. Do to dogs what they do to calves and you'd be in jail. This isn't the Wild, Wild West anymore. There isn't a need for a rodeo and if they all went away, they wouldn't be missed very much except by people who make money from them.
July 4, 2008
9:02 p.m.
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Jewel writes:
It's funny how you all knock the rock bands as soon as someone mentions animal cruelty... I don't see any country stars lining up to perform at Greeley's so-called great western tradition. Where's George Strait, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, etc? Obviously, they can't be bothered playing such a pitiable venue. Or maybe they just don't like what they've already seen at prior rodeos...
July 5, 2008
11:23 a.m.
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FastEddie writes:
That seems to be a common theme doesn't it Jewel. Somebody in the band objects to animal cruelty and they suddenly become washed up has beens nobody wants to see anyway. They'd say the same thing if Eric Clapton came to town and we all know how washed up he is.
July 5, 2008
4:20 p.m.
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Ulysses writes:
Individuals that advocate rodeos try to divert the argument with their personal attacks on those that oppose them. They probably figure if they put these people down enough, others will just follow along.
What they don't take into account is that everyone has the right to research the subject and make up their own mind however they see fit.
July 7, 2008
9:36 a.m.
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vermont22us writes:
This sounds just like the rodeo mentality:
"A veteran USDA meat inspector from Texas describes what he has seen: "Cattle dragged and choked... knocking 'em four, five, ten times. Every now and then when they're stunned they come back to life, and they're up there agonizing. They're supposed to be re-stunned but sometimes they aren't and they'll go through the skinning process alive. I've worked in four large [slaughterhouses] and a bunch of small ones. They're all the same. If people were to see this, they'd probably feel really bad about it. But in a packing house everybody gets so used to it that it doesn't mean anything." ~Slaughterhouse 1997
In a rodeo culture, everybody gets so used to the animal abuse that it doesn't mean anything. Very sad indeed!