Riki Rachtman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Riki Rachtman
Rachtman at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2023
Born	Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Television and radio personality
Known for	Host of Headbangers Ball

David Andrew "Riki" Rachtman is an American television and radio personality. He is famous for being involved with the hard rock and heavy metal music scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Riki hosted MTV's Headbangers Ball from 1990 to 1995. He also owned a popular nightclub in Hollywood called The Cathouse.

Riki Rachtman's Early Life and Music

Riki Rachtman grew up in Van Nuys, California. Later, he moved to the Hollywood Hills. When he was 16, Riki tried out to sing for a band called the Angry Samoans. The next year, he was in a band called the Fairlanes.

Riki's Bands and Documentaries

In the late 1980s, Riki was the lead singer for an L.A. metal band named Virgin. In the 1990s, he spent over a year with a band called Battery Club. This band even toured with The Offspring.

Riki Rachtman also appears in a movie called Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie. This film is a 2016 documentary about the 80s L.A. hard rock band Bang Tango.

Riki Rachtman: A TV and Radio Host

Riki Rachtman is well-known for his work as a host on TV and radio. He became a familiar face to many music fans.

Hosting MTV's Headbangers Ball

Rachtman first appeared on MTV's heavy metal show Headbangers Ball in 1989. He filled in as a guest VJ when Adam Curry was the main host. His friend, Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses, helped Riki get an audition at MTV Studios. Even though he had no TV experience, he got the job and later replaced Curry.

From 1990 to 1995, Rachtman was the full-time host of Headbangers Ball. He also had a small part as a wedding guest in the Guns N' Roses music video for "November Rain".

Riki's Radio Shows

From August 1993 to January 1996, Rachtman co-hosted a radio advice show called Loveline. He worked with Dr. Drew Pinsky. Later, Adam Carolla joined them in October 1995. Rachtman left the show in January 1996 to try other things.

On the Los Angeles radio station KLSX, Rachtman hosted a show called 'Riki Rachtman Radio.'

In 2003, Riki became the host of Racing Rocks. This is a radio show about rock music and NASCAR. It is heard on over 120 stations across America. He also hosted Nascar 24/7 Live. Riki was a co-host of NASCAR RaceDay until 2008.

Riki's Work in Wrestling and Other Shows

In 1999 and 2000, Rachtman worked for World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He was a backstage interviewer and also hosted Nitro, WCW's main show. He had also been a guest co-host for Saturday Night in 1992.

In 2003, Rachtman hosted 22 Greatest Bands for MTV2.

Starting in 2020, Rachtman joined the American Flat Track motorcycle racing series. He works as an on-air personality at their live events.

Riki Rachtman on VH1

Rachtman co-hosted the 2007 reunion show for Rock of Love. This show starred his friend, Poison singer Bret Michaels. Rachtman was also a dean on Rock of Love: Charm School. This show featured Sharon Osbourne and contestants from Rock of Love. He also hosted its reunion specials in 2008 and 2009. His last appearance was on Daisy of Love, a spin-off show starring his friend Daisy De La Hoya.

Riki Rachtman: Entrepreneur and Business Owner

Beyond hosting, Riki Rachtman has also been involved in various businesses.

The Cathouse Nightclub

Rachtman was the owner of The Cathouse nightclub. For many years, this club was a place where many heavy metal bands featured on Headbangers Ball would perform. The Cathouse club and Rachtman are shown in the documentary The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years. During their most popular time, they were also featured in Rolling Stone and Newsweek magazines.

In 2019, Rachtman opened Cathouse HQ in Mooresville, North Carolina. In May 2022, he launched a special release of CATHOUSE COFFEE.

Other Ventures

Rachtman also owns a skateboard company called Pool School.

In the summer of 2015, Rachtman became an ordained minister. He performed his first wedding ceremony on August 15, 2015. This took place at the Cathouse Live Concert in Irvine Meadows.

Riki Rachtman's Personal Life

Riki Rachtman has lived in different places. By 1999, he lived in Orange County, California. In 1994, he mentioned that he used to live in New Zealand for a year when he was 16.

In 1991, Bam Magazine named Rachtman one of the fifty most influential people in music.

In November 2014, he announced that he would be moving to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Riki's Ride Charity Event

Every year, Rachtman raises money by going on a motorcycle ride across North America. This event is called Riki's Ride. It has raised almost $50,000 for different charities. On December 6, 2020, Rachtman announced that 2020 was his last Riki's Ride. He presented a check for over $22,000 to the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation.

Family Life

On December 12, 2021, Rachtman married Lea Vendetta. She is known from the television show Inkmaster. They live together in Mooresville, North Carolina.

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