Zoogz Rift

Zoogz Rift (born Robert Pawlikowski; July 10, 1953 – March 22, 2011)[1] was an American musician, painter and professional wrestling personality.

Zoogz Rift
Birth nameRobert Pawlikowski
Also known asThe Liquid Moamo
Born(1953-07-10)July 10, 1953
OriginPaterson, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedMarch 22, 2011(2011-03-22) (aged 57)
GenresExperimental rock
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, painter, pro wrestling entertainer
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1972–2006
LabelsSST Records
Associated actsRocky Howard, John Trubee, Richie Hass, Scott Colby
Websitezoogzrift.4mg.com

Born Robert Pawlikowski in Paterson, New Jersey, Rift was raised in Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey and moved to Los Angeles while in his mid-20s.[2]

Biography

Musical career

The Trouser Press describes Zoogz Rift as "an iconoclastic original" who is "as imaginative and stimulating as he is irritating and vitriolic."[3] Rift was influenced by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart as well as Salvador Dalí and Ayn Rand.[3] Zoogz Rift began his recording career with the album Idiots on the Miniature Golf Course, released by Snout Records in 1979. His long-time collaborators included Richie Häss and John Trubee (the latter being famous for the songshark tune, "A Blind Man's Penis"). Rift released several albums through SST Records during the 1980s.[4] Richard Gehr, writing for Spin, noted that by the time of 1985's Interim Resurgence, Rift had completed a transition from "Zappa sycophancy" to "a conceptual continuity of his very own."[5] Keyboard Magazine, in a special "Experimental Music" issue, described Rift's album The Island of Living Puke as "moments of outstanding free-form rock, sandwiched between scrupulously obscene interruptions." [6]

Wrestling career

By 1985, Zoogz Rift had indicated his plans to enter professional wrestling.[5] Zoogz Rift booked the UWF (Universal Wrestling Federation) in 1993. He left the promotion in March 1994, but returned in May 1995 to become Vice-President, alongside founder Herb Abrams. After Abrams died in 1996, the UWF promotion closed and Zoogz was left without a job. Zoogz hosted an online wrestling show, entitled Puke-A-Mania that provided a weekly assessment of WWE and TNA promotions, with Zoogz giving insight on wrestling issues. His rants on the show included the pushing of former WWF superstar Warlord, and his fascination with possibly training 60-year-old Vince McMahon to become a main-event wrestler. Zoogz wrestling career was cut short after being torture racked by Lex Luger.

Death

Zoogz Rift died on March 22, 2011, aged 57, due to complications from diabetes.

Discography

References
  1. Zoogz Rift at AllMusic
  2. "Passings; Zoogz Rift", Los Angeles Times, March 31, 2011. Accessed August 11, 2019. "Rift was born Robert Pawlikowski on July 10, 1953, in Paterson, N.J., but grew up in Parsippany, N.J. He moved to Los Angeles in 1977 after starting his career in the early 1970s."
  3. Gehr, Richard; Ira Robbins. "Zoogz Rift". Trouser Press. Trouser Press LLC. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  4. Discography at AllMusic
  5. Gehr, Richard (December 1985). Guccione, Jr., Bob; Rudy, Langlais (eds.). "Spins". Spin. New York: SPIN Magazine. 1 (8): 27. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  6. Milano, Dominic, editor (January 1987). "Resources". Keyboard. 13 (1). p. 85.
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