Ricky Parent

Ricky Parent (September 5, 1963 – October 27, 2007) was an American drummer, best known for his longtime association (1992-2004) with the American rock band from Blue Island, Illinois, Enuff Z'Nuff.

He also played with other bands and performers including Alice Cooper.

Early life

Ricky Parent was born as Ricky Anthony Parent on September 5, 1963, in Passaic, New Jersey, to William John Parent (1940–2015) and Rosemarie Brown Parent (1942–1981). He was raised in New Jersey and the neighboring New York. 

Parent started playing drums at the age of 5. He was mesmerized by the sound of the drums when he heard a marching band playing down the street. After he found out that that sound was created by drums, he began making that sound using pots and pans at home. His parents then bought him a toy drum set (Mickey Mouse toy drum kit), on which he practiced passionately. Later, he received a Del Ray drum set, on which he honed his craft, primarily learning from records and songs on the radio.

His early influences were John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, Terry Bozzio (with Frank Zappa), Simon Phillips, Ringo Starr (The Beatles), and Aynsley Dunbar(with Jeff Beck, Lou Reed, David Bowie, etc).

Career

In the 90s, Parent relocated to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in music. His drumming career began in War & Peace, a band fronted by bassist Jeff Pilson after he left Don Dokken's band Dokken. War & Peace featured singer Tommy Henricksen (formerly with punk rock band P.O.L.) and guitarist Russ Parrish (aka Satchel of Steel Panther and Rob Halford's band Fight).

After War & Peace disbanded, Parent began playing with noted metal guitarist Paul Gilbert. Around that time, Enuff Z'Nuff was looking for a drummer to replace their drummer, Vikki Foxx, who left to join Vince Neil's solo band. Gilbert and Mike Varney (founder of Shrapnel Records with which War & Peace recorded) recommended Parent to Enuff Z'Nuff.

Enuff Z'Nuff hired Parent and Parent relocated to the band's home base of Chicago, becoming an official member in 1992. The band performed on the David Letterman show and shot a video for the single "Right by Your Side". Parent performed with Enuff Z'Nuff for the remainder of his career until 2004 when he was diagnosed with cancer and took a leave of absence.

Over the years, Parent was also involved in other bands and projects including a brief stint with Alice Cooper, as well as playing with Sass Jordan and Tod Howarth (Frehley's Comet).

Cancer diagnosis and Death

In 2004, Parent was diagnosed with cancer. In 2006, a collection album titled Labour of Love - Ricky Parent Cancer Benefit project. was released, in which several artists performed to raise funds to help Parent. The album featured such bands and musicians as Christian metal band Liberty N'Justice, Trixter, Enuff Z'Nuff, guitarist Joe Becker, Jeff Pilson, Richie Sambora(guitarist with Jon Bon Jovi), Donnie Vie, Crash Kelly, Matt Fig, Jamie Rowe, Wade Williams, and Sy Klopps, among others. Of the 18 tracks, the only one to feature Parent is "Outerspace"—an unreleased Enuff Z'Nuff track written by Donnie Vie and Parent himself. Parent's former bandmate from War & Peace Jeff Pilson performed Dokken's "When Heavens Comes Down."

Parent lost his long-time battle with cancer on October 27, 2007, at the age of 44. He was survived by his children, his father William Parent, his sister, his three nieces, and cousins.

Discography

With Enuff Z'Nuff

Studio albums

• Tweaked - 1995
• Peach Fuzz - 1996
• Seven - 1997
• Paraphernalia - 1999
• 10 - 2000
• Welcome to Blue Island - 2003
• ? - 2004

Live

• Live - 1998

Compilations

• Favorites - 2004
• One More for the Road - 2005
• Greatest Hits - 2006

Other albums

• War & Peace - Time Capsule (1993)
• Drama Queen Die - Drama Queen Die (2004)

Tribute album

• Best of Both Worlds: A Tribute to Van Halen (2003)