Rik Fox on Vinnie! (the rip-offs, bankruptcy hearing, etc)

EricFoxx · Post by **EricFoxx** » Thu May 12, 2011 10:50 am

According to a friend of mine, Rik Fox posted some stuff about Vinnie on his Facebook-page pretty recently.
It's about the songs (or at least songparts) that Vinnie and Dana according to Rik, stole from his old band SIN.
I'm waiting for Rik to accept my friend-request as we speak, so I haven't yet been able to see this particular Facebook-update for myself - but my friend has sent me some quotes from it:

"Gee, any wonder how THAT happened? Not when Dana Scum, errr, Dana Strum is involved...one of the most well-known thieves in the music industry next to Vinnie Cusano Vincent of course!. Lesson here? NEVER let these guys around ANY of your material, or it will wind up on one of their albums too..."

"Vincent is a thief, period. Before this, he had a project with former New England drummer Hirsh Gardner, and Vincent ripped off Hirsh's material /songs, etc. too. Hirsh sued Vinnie ROYALLY and won. VVI got ALL their 'Pink' stage gear confiscated 1 hour before showtime opening for Iron Maiden. Vinnie never learned his lesson, and figured he could get away with ripping material off from me/SIN after Dana brought him down to our recording sessions. So, to love a known thief, is to accept having the wool pulled over your eyes and not care."

"'On the Run" (SIN) was written 3 years BEFORE Vinnie Vincent ever came to Los Angeles and before he was even a member of KISS. I know, I walked into a rehearsal room at S.I.R. in Hollywood and saw him trying to learn Ace Frehley licks and WEARING Ace's lightning platform boots. No coincidence over the songs sounding similar. It's a fact. Dana Strum produced SIN, and then brought Vinnie Vincent to the sessions. Vinnie expressed great interest in my song 'On the Run' and asked if they could re-record it and 'somehow have me involved', which was, of course, BS all the way. Even Mark Slaughter and Bobby Rock apologized to me personally after they recorded it, they said they didn't know it was taken from my song. End of 'coincidence'."

"I was invited as part of a class-action suit against Vinnie Vincent, to sit in on Vinnie's Bankruptcy hearing and when my name was mentioned as one of those involved in the class-action suit against him, he looked at me and then kept refusing to discuss anything about me in front of anyone there, he looks at me again and whispered something in his lawyer's ear, and the lawyer asked the judge if they could discuss anything about my claim in the judges chambers. That means, 'in private'. I wonder WHY???"

"Everyone knows Vinnie stole an obscene amount of money from the KISS Army fans and never produced any of the goods he was supposed to send them. He owed massive amounts of money to almost everyone on the planet for various 'services''--he took the money and ran. That's why he lives in some form of isolation, secluded somewhere in Nashville"

More info about this, anyone?

Let freedom rock?

[youtube][/youtube]

Post by **Genebaby** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:04 pm

Those are some pretty tasty quotes. I think Rik would know a lot and have plenty to say about Mr Cusano.

poserboy71 · Post by **poserboy71** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:15 pm

Yes, It is similar but it is a fine line. I believe people have to have 8 consecutive notes of a melody for it to be considered plagarism.
Still whoever came up with the riff for the Sin tune should probably have gotten a co-writing credit on the VVI song. It is obvious where "Let Freedom Rock" comes from.

Vinnie did improve on the riff and incorporated it into a better song though.

Stranglehold · Post by **Stranglehold** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:22 pm

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbe ... emID=41861

Post by **Genebaby** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:28 pm

LFR is a better song, no contest.

Post by **Genebaby** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:35 pm

Welcome and thanks for the link Stranglehold.

This is the full interview from Full In Bloom Music with Rik. We've seen the other parts that mention Vinnie before.

http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/rikfox.html

WizKid · Post by **WizKid** » Thu May 12, 2011 2:19 pm

Rik has agreed to a full in-depth discussion of his whole career (and lots of VV stuff) for the podcast. Just got word today that there will be another person close to VV from the 80's that is 99% a definite for an interview also. Stay tuned!

Post by **Genebaby** » Thu May 12, 2011 2:51 pm

Can't wait for this stuff Chris, it's gonna be very interesting.

metatron · Post by **metatron** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:36 pm

"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe"
I really don't see it as much as Rik Fox is stating. Rik only claim to fame is name dropping. Ask Ron Keel about how they redid his bass tracks on the Steeler album. If Rik is so awesome, where is his equivalent to a 'Lick it up', a "Girl, Girls, Girls", a "November Rain" or a " Mr Rainmaker". Rik is full of his own self importance. Rik has a certain amount of credibility, no cause he is so righteous, but cause Vinnie is so corrupt. And Vinnie has been caught out too many times. Think Rik is throwing rocks in a big old glass house.
Another thing, everyone rips off. Just listen to the new Lady Gaga song, 'Born this way'

[youtube][/youtube]

(Sorry Vic, don't mean to pick on her butt...), that is so close to Madonna's 'Vouge'

[youtube] [/youtube]

that it's a virtual cover. (BTW Vic, I love the intro to 'Born this way)... What's that quote? "Good Artists Borrow, Great Artists Steal"

Post by **Genebaby** » Thu May 12, 2011 5:43 pm

Not a problem Dannii, I am not actually liking her new stuff too much so my fandom could be coming to an end.

Will reserve final judgement when I hear all of the new album.

Rik is certainly a name dropper, and I've said it before, he can sure talk a lot!!

I bet he could talk underwater with a mouth full of marbles.

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Thu May 12, 2011 11:08 pm

pretty crazy tune, i like the weird synth. seems close to let freedom rock, but surely vv didn't need to rip someone off.. he is a proven songwriter.. the only thing i can say is maybe they were rushed a little and they were short on material. i actually like the riff on this tune better than vv's but the overall song is pretty demoish. i suppose its from the 70s

poserboy71 · Post by **poserboy71** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:30 am

Genebaby wrote:
I bet he could talk underwater with a mouth full of marbles.

I think I'm gonna switch teams

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:05 am

I wonder if Rik fox will get sued if he goes on the podcast like the YouTube threat suggests.

poserboy71 · Post by **poserboy71** » Fri May 13, 2011 6:12 am

I don't believe Vinnie is that harsh. It remains to be seen if he will go through with his threats. I don't believe that much of a case exists. The Decibal Geek is reporting about all of the rumors that surround our guitar hero, Vinnie Cusano/Vincent. It isn't anything that hasn't been discussed before. The show is based in rumor and speculation. When a fact exists, it will be addressed as such and proof will be presented.
It will provide the story up to this point in time.

This podcast is being made by fans and NOT ENEMIES. The Decibel Geek just chooses to try and show the entire picture and give everyone their say. Vinnie is more than welcome to finally put everything to rest and grant an interview that shuts all of the negativity off for good.

For The Love Of Vinnie ???

Post by **Genebaby** » Fri May 13, 2011 6:47 am

Vinnie is also welcome here to post as himself, once he proves who he is, and settle any issues he feels like.

Nobody but Vinnie himself is holding him back.

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 7:18 am

i think rik would love to get vv into court himself. i wonder what the other song he says vv ripped off?

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 7:19 am

vv will only talk as a fake alias. he has never once had the balls on youtube or the dv board to say its him, thats why the live concert will not happen, i am sure.
it would be great, but there is something stopping vv revealing himself.

Post by **Genebaby** » Fri May 13, 2011 9:32 am

I know Dino, and that's the sad, sad, sad part.

Hopefully he'll come out of his shell and do the live performance he has promised. Things could be moving forward instead of standing still or going backwards.

Brooklyn_Born · Post by **Brooklyn_Born** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:21 pm

There's something stopping him...??? Baldness? Loss of fretboard dexterity?? Chains & ropes?? Gene & Paul?? The
Possibilities are endless...

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:29 pm

he is not coming out because he lied to the courts about what he has and he is worried about all the friends and fans he ripped off and lied to.
he lives his life under a self made rain cloud.

Brooklyn_Born · Post by **Brooklyn_Born** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:34 pm

Dino, do you think anyone would mean Vinnie any harm if he did re-enter the public eye? I think everyone would let bygones be bygones... It's so long ago now...

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:40 pm

he doesn't though. and yes most would just forget it and people like to give people a chance to see if they have changed. but its vv that is holding the grudge and also i think he has declared bankruptcy without declaring what he really owns (eg a lot of a very valuable guitars) and that is a concern i bet.

Brooklyn_Born · Post by **Brooklyn_Born** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:45 pm

His dishonesty is definitely a concern, especially if he lied to the courts... If he still owns the guitars from the early 80's they would be worth many thousands now... I would love to see come back and do a documentary of his career, post career and resurgence... It would be very intriguing... He has an interesting story to tell that's for sure...!

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:53 pm

the guy who owns Rickenbacker told me that VV has a huge collection of guitars and a lot of Ric's. for sure he has his Fender and Les Paul plus all those VV models and RR V prototypes. I am sure he will say TM1 owns then now, but again I am just saying the guy has a lot going on. I had a lot of sympathy for him, but then you also got to look at all the people who didn't get paid too and have sympathy for them as well.

Brooklyn_Born · Post by **Brooklyn_Born** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:58 pm

Those Rhoads prototypes must be worth an absolute fortune now.. They are Jackson,Randy & Kiss history! I wonder why he went for Ric's?? Beatles fan??

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:00 pm

yes, the thing is vv most likely resprayed them and did who knows what to them. Was it 3 or 6 vv said he had in the guitar world interview?

Brooklyn_Born · Post by **Brooklyn_Born** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:03 pm

I think it was 5 or 6 of them?! They are probably sitting in guitar cases in storage

never to see the light of day again?! Maybe he will auction the remainder of his collection down the track??

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:07 pm

i think he will not be able to sell them himself. maybe tm1 can or a relative.
its too bad as it would have been amazing for someone to do an article on vv's guitar collection. I know he must have some great things especially due to his varied musical tastes.

Brooklyn_Born · Post by **Brooklyn_Born** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:12 pm

I so wish he didn't place a Gag order on himself.. It would be so good to hear Vinnie speak again...! For a guy with strong character he gave it all away quite easily...

VVV · Post by **VVV** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:12 pm

Wouldn't anything VV sold be garnished?

"Assets? Like guitars? No, I have nothing left, sorry"

Brooklyn_Born · Post by **Brooklyn_Born** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:17 pm

I don't blame him for not declaring them... They would have been sold for a fraction of their true value...

VVV · Post by **VVV** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:24 pm

Yes, no provenance.

"DAMN THOSE SERIAL NUMBERS!!" lol

shramiac · Post by **shramiac** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:44 pm

The Rhoads models aren't prototypes. They were just made for Vinnie when Grover asked him to be the spokesman for Jackson. What I remember is that the original white Concord and the first black one were made and given to Randy while a 3rd was being built when he died! I'm not sure if it was even finished! And the 4th was accidentally sold by Grover at a trade show in the early 80s but it was found last year and was in a Guitar World issue. Guessing Vinnie got the next few!

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:47 pm

vinnie claimed in an interview he had all the rr v prototypes. thats where i got that from.

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:49 pm

i only saw three with the original jackson logo (2 gold, one white), so if he had more i don't think they were toured with.

Post by **Genebaby** » Fri May 13, 2011 6:23 pm

Randy's 3rd guitar was used as the template for cases but was repaired and finished a few years ago.

Something was originally wrong with it but it is together now.

A guy on the JCF owns it.

There are no more prototypes, just production guitars. Were Vinnie's ones serialised?

doublev · Post by **doublev** » Sat May 14, 2011 12:07 am

I believe it was the guitar world interview. I know that was a mess so it could be wrong. I believe no serial numbers. V would be the best guy to speak but its hard to know if he would tell the truth or an 80s style bs lie, like the tour bus running over the pink guitar.

Slayer · Post by **Slayer** » Sat May 14, 2011 3:15 pm

Brooklyn_Born wrote:Dino, do you think anyone would mean Vinnie any harm if he did re-enter the public eye? I think everyone would let bygones be bygones... It's so long ago now...

poserboy71 · Post by **poserboy71** » Sat May 14, 2011 3:38 pm

Someone isn't going to be on Vinnie's Christmas card list.

If Uncle Kev does meet Vinnie, I see Kev taking off his shirt and exposing his salami-sized areolas while grunting like a pig in heat... SQUIRT

... ...and goodnight.

shramiac · Post by **shramiac** » Sat May 14, 2011 4:33 pm

poserboy71 wrote:Someone isn't going to be on Vinnie's Christmas card list.

If Uncle Kev does meet Vinnie, I see Kev taking off his shirt and exposing his salami-sized areolas while grunting like a pig in heat... SQUIRT ... ...and goodnight.

Yeah Dino, it was in the March 86 Guitar World where it was stated he had 6 Rhoads protos but I don't believe it. The interviewer called the Rhoads' models strats?????

Kisstrooper · Post by **Kisstrooper** » Sun May 15, 2011 1:04 am

Baldness for sure, his dome is now chromed, he may emerge with revamp of Lick It Up with Wig It Up !

Skwint · Post by **Skwint** » Sun May 15, 2011 2:44 am

Kisstrooper wrote:Baldness for sure, his dome is now chromed, he may emerge with revamp of Lick It Up with Wig It Up !

and maybe a new version of 'Do you wanna make love (just wait till the viagra kicks in)'

shramiac · Post by **shramiac** » Sun May 15, 2011 7:28 am

Nasty!!!!!