Bill Richie Sr., the father of Kid Rock, passed away yesterday.
Bill and his wife Susan lived in Royal Oak and Romeo, Michigan and once owned Crest Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Sterling Heights. Bill was also at one time the chairman of the Detroit auto show in the late 1980’s.
They had four children, Kid Rock being the third, and went on to become grandparents and grand parents.
Kid Rock, real name Robert Richie, posted a tribute to him on social media and linked a song titled “Drinking Beer With Dad”, a song he solo wrote for his 2015 album First Kiss.
“My Dad, Bill Ritchie Sr, moved on to be with Jesus yesterday. He was an incredible father, grandfather, great grandfather, and so much more, none shy of being quite the character! Thank you for your condolences in advance. God Bless you and I love you Pop!”
In a 2009 interview with DBusiness, Kid Rock noted that his mother and father’s lifestyle and taste in music would go on to influence his own career.
“My parents had barn parties on Friday nights. (They) would drink and listen to rock ’n’ roll… They loved rock ’n’ roll, classic rock, country music.
My dad liked a lot of the outlaw country stuff — Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, all of the early Sun Records; they loved Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis. My mom loved Elton John and Fleetwood Mac. They both loved the Rolling Stones and, of course, Bob Seger was basically spoon-fed to me.”
Even when you’re famous it’s tough to lose a parents and I’m wishing nothing but the best for him and his family as they go through this.
RIP to Bill Richie Sr.
