Rich Ward

Stuck Mojo formed in 1989 and by early 1995 was Century Media's top selling band in the U.S. The band mixed sounds of heavy metal and hip hop lyrics. Mojo had 4 successful CD's ("Snapping Necks" 1995 - which led to the band touring in Europe and the United States with Machine Head, "Violated" 1996, "Pigwalk" 1997 - which led to the band touring with Type O Negative and Testament, and "Rising" 1997 - (the bands last CD together) during this run the band signed a deal with WCW (World Championship Wrestling) to cross promote music and wrestling and appear on WCW's "Monday Nitro".)

The three members of Stuck Mojo that stuck together after the break up came together to work on two other music projects in 1998. One of them was put together while working in WCW and was called "The Big City Knight's" led by vocalist Chris Jericho (WCW wrestler). And the other was a heavy metal sound minus hip hop elements called "SickSpeed".

The Big City Knight's was mainly a band that played 'cover songs' and later would mutate in to what is now known as FOZZY! SickSpeed has its first CD due out this summer and if you are a fan of heavy metal, you should check it out!

With that mentioned, InLewd proudly presents an in depth interview with Rich Ward!!! (AKA DUKE LARUE OF FOZZY FAME! Interesting to note Ward is also the husband of ex WCW Diva Daffney - Shannon Ward).

CJ: WOW! First of all, let me tell you that I am a HUGE fan of "Stuck Mojo!" and also must admit that FOZZY KICKS SOME MAJOR ASS! So my first question is about the entire CONCEPT OF FOZZY!! Is it a tribute band to all of the 'hair bands' of the 80's and Ozzy (Ozzy Osbourne)? Or is it a mock band which is sarcastic about how horrible the music was then?

RW: It was originally going to be a cover band that we put together to play some of our favorite songs. Chris is a wrestler who sang and played bass in a number of bands while growing and Stuck Mojo was a serious street level heavy metal band. Collectively we thought we could create something musically credible as well as entertaining. It is a tribute to all the bands we love, but we poke fun at the ridiculous side of some of those bands as well.

CJ: I am glad you brought up Chris Jericho's name! How exactly did you meet Jericho? Was it during the period when you were in the band "stuck mojo" and working with WCW?

RW: Yes, Stuck Mojo did a music video with Diamond Dallas Page in 1997. I was hanging out backstage with DDP at the arena for a thunder taping and Chris introduced himself to me and said that he was a Mojo fan.

CJ: What was it like working with Chris Jericho, and of course, the TRUE AYATOLLAH OF ROCK 'N' ROLLA, Moongoose McQueen?

RW: Chris is a very smart and funny guy. His vision and intensity is great. I learn a lot from Moongoose, after all, he is the textbook heavy metal frontman.

CJ: But it wasn't always like that? I mean, Before Moongoose, there was actually Chris Jericho and "The Big City Knight's". I've read this was a band with the three members of "Stuck Mojo" and Chris Jericho and perhaps was Fozzy before Fozzy became known as Fozzy? IS this true?

RW: Yes.

CJ: How did the Fozzy concept come about? I mean, who actually thought up the idea?

RW: I did, but Chris was the one who made it a conceptual masterpiece.

CJ: Since Chris Jericho has stepped in to your world and a musician, at any point did you consider stepping in to his world and wrestling in the squared circle?

RW: I'd like to be able to walk upright when I'm older. No Thanks!

CJ: Are there any chances of Fozzy playing a future wrestling gig (maybe coming full circle since WWFE now owns WCW) and maybe playing a WCW show at some point?

RW: Definitely not out of the question.

CJ: Hey, I've always been curious myself about how the deal with "Stuck Mojo" and WCW began? Was it due to lyrics "Stuck Mojo" wrote?

RW: We knew that there were a lot of wrestling fans that like heavy music and we thought that networking through wrestling would be a great way to introduce Mojo to them.

CJ: Speaking of heavy music, what influenced you growing up? What shaped your style of music?

RW: I loved all of the British heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Ozzy (Ozzy Osbourne).

CJ: I'm real excited about this new project that you have going on, it is called "SickSpeed". It is being compared to Lynard Skynard with a sort of southern based sound to it, Life of Agony with the somber vocals and heavy guitar riffs, and Sevendust all thrown in to one mix! What do can you tell us about "SickSpeed?"

RW: The fact that we play electric guitars is the only possible thing we have in common with Skynard. The other comparisons I could see how someone could make, although I wouldn't. We formed Stuck Mojo in 1989 and we were pioneers in the new school heavy sound. Sick Speed is a melodic hard rock band with strong roots in a sound that we helped create. If you listen to early Mojo records, it's not hard to see where bands like Sevendust found inspiration.

CJ: What does music mean to you?

RW: It's been the most important thing to me ever since I can remember.

CJ: Who do you consider to be the greatest rock n roll band? And what kind of music do you listen too?

RW: Van Halen. They changed the face of rock. Most of the bands in the seventies just stood still on stage and played their songs. Van Halen were like Olympians, all over the place. The guitar playing was unlike anything anyone had ever heard. The gap (in the evolution of guitar) between Eddie Van Halen and anyone else at that time was light years.

I listen older bands like Boston, Queen, Journey and other bands from that era. My inspirations have changed over the years, but my love of creating music has always been constant.

CJ: How did you feel the night Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit defeated "Stonecold" Steve Austin and Triple H to win the WWF Tag Team Title's?

RW: I was real excited for Chris. He has paid his dues and deserves all the good fortune that comes his way.

CJ: After Chris Jericho finally wins his first WWF Championship are you going to be there to congratulate him? Do you attend any of the shows backstage? Or are you too busy touring with SickSpeed and Fozzy?

RW: My schedule doesn't allow me a lot of free time, but I would love to be there.

CJ: Give us a run down on SickSpeed and Fozzy tour dates..

RW: Fozzy is playing live shows and planning for a second cd.

SickSpeed has been touring the US and is releasing a cd in Europe this summer with a tour to follow. For news and information on tour dates you can go to SickSpeed.net and FozzyRock.com.

CJ: My last question involves creating an event for the ages, where music can come together, maybe, FOZZFEST!

RW: Chris would need 8 weeks off from wrestling and that's not going to happen. Conceptually it would be the greatest touring event ever and maybe one huge FozzFest event could eventually take place.

CJ: Thanks again, I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule and allowing me this opportunity. I have been a fan for many years, and certainly respect what you have accomplished! Thank you!

RW: I would just like to thank you for your interest in the bands and please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.