Richie Kotzen, a renowned musician celebrated for his roles in Poison, Mr. Big, and The Winery Dogs, possesses a fascinating history that nearly took a radically different direction when he was on the verge of joining the influential band Nine Inch Nails. This intriguing tidbit about his career was unveiled during an interview with Australia’s Hot Metal Magazine, in response to a fan inquiry about bands he almost joined that remain lesser-known.

“The closest band that I ever came to joining was Nine Inch Nails – and nobody knows that. This is a true one,” remarked Kotzen, sharing insights into a significant moment in his musical journey.

Discover the Story Behind Richie Kotzen’s Near-Collaboration with Nine Inch Nails

During the conversation, Kotzen offered more context about this remarkable experience, mentioning that it was Jeordie White, also known as Twiggy Ramirez, who informed him of the band’s search for a new guitarist. “He said to me, ‘Listen, you’ve got to come down – we’re having a hard time finding a guitar player’. So I went down to Third Encore [a rehearsal studio in North Hollywood] and I spent the day,” recalled the talented guitarist, emphasizing the excitement of the opportunity.

He continued, sharing his interaction with the band, “Trent [Reznor] told me, ‘You’re by far the best guy that we’ve tried, love to have you in the band I’m going to have my manager reach out to you.’ I left that day thinking, ‘Wow, OK, I’m going to join another band!'” This moment marked a pivotal point in Kotzen’s career, filled with potential and anticipation.

The Reasons Behind Richie Kotzen’s Missed Opportunity with Nine Inch Nails

In further detail, Kotzen reflected on the time he spent with Nine Inch Nails and how Trent Reznor’s encouraging comments initially filled him with hope. However, as time passed, he never received the anticipated call to officially join the band. “A week went by. Then another week went by. I ran into Jeordie and said ‘what happened?’ Basically he [Renzor] said he didn’t want to open up Rolling Stone magazine and see ‘Nine Inch Nails gets former Poison guitar player Richie Kotzen.’ He didn’t want the association with a hair metal band in that camp,” he explained, revealing the complexities of band dynamics and public perception.

Kotzen had previously been the guitarist for Poison from 1991 to 1993, stepping in for C.C. DeVille. While with the band, he contributed significantly to the 1993 album, Native Tongue, which showcased his talent and creativity.

Richie Kotzen’s Perspective on the Missed Opportunity with Nine Inch Nails

Although Kotzen expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity, he also conveyed an understanding of the reasoning behind it. “Aesthetically when you think about the fan base and how people would read into something, I could see the point,” he explained. “I kind of jokingly said, ‘Hey, I’ll do it under an alias.’ Because I wasn’t doing anything at the time and I think he’s a genius. I would have loved to have worked with him,” he added, highlighting his admiration for Reznor’s artistic vision.

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Kotzen acknowledged that this incident wasn’t an isolated case, as his previous band affiliations had influenced other musical opportunities in his career. However, he maintains a strong sense of pride in his time with his former bands. “I don’t regret having been a part of Poison because I think we made a really great record. So I would much rather have that record live where it’s living than have done any of the other stuff that I could have done,” Kotzen reflected, illustrating his appreciation for his musical legacy.

The gifted singer-guitarist also pointed out that, particularly in the rock genre, an artist’s past can significantly affect their perceived value in new projects. “It’s not just about the music. A lot of people listen with their eyes,” Kotzen remarked. “It’s unfortunate in a situation like that, but it is a reality,” emphasizing the challenges musicians face in navigating their careers.

Currently, Kotzen is collaborating with Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith in their self-titled project. The Smith / Kotzen album, Black Light / White Noise, is now available, showcasing their unique sound and artistic synergy.

Richie Kotzen Discusses His Musical Journey with Hot Metal Magazine