Rocky Kramer

Sindre Langhelle (/ˈsɪndrɛ ˈlɑːŋhələ/; born August 3, 1990), known professionally as Rocky Kramer (/ˈrɒki ˈkreɪmər/), is a Norwegian-American guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer and bandleader from Trondheim who is now based in Los Angeles.[2] In 2018, Kramer became more widely known when he headlined the Seattle Hempfest.[3][4] The next year, he released the single "Rock Star" from his debut album Firestorm, together with a well-received animation over live-action music video,[5] exceeding a million views on Facebook.[6][7] "Rock Star" reached number 1 on the Global DRT Chart and was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media Award.[8][9] Following release of Firestorm, Kramer performed at the 2019 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota,[10] before joining Buckcherry's tour throughout the United Kingdom.[11][12] Kramer has been described as "[o]ne of the strongest and most poignant guitarists since [Jimi] Hendrix."[13] In 2021, it was announced that Kramer had been cast to play the character "Lars Olsen" in the Aaron Lee Lopez directed feature film Rockin' in Time, due in theaters in 2023.[14][15][16] Kramer plays and endorses Fender Stratocaster guitars.[17]

Rocky Kramer
Rocky Kramer in concert 2018
Born
Sindre Langhelle

(1990-08-03) August 3, 1990
Trondheim, Norway
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2012–present
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Labels
Websiterockykramer.com
Signature

Early life

Kramer was born to Bjørn Langhelle and Ingjerd Langhelle (née Andresen) in Trondheim, Norway. He grew up in a musical family, as his mother was a skilled pianist and vocalist, while his father was first violinist in the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra.[18][19] Kramer's older brother is Norwegian Jazz musician Ståle Langhelle.[20] When Kramer was five, his mother died of cancer.[21] Kramer began his musical career playing the piano and violin, before switching to guitar after listening to KISS and AC/DC.[2] He cites Yngwie Malmsteen as a key guitar influence[3] and Pink Floyd for general inspiration. As a teenager he was a member of the band Armed Science, which reached the final of the Ungdommens kulturmønstring or UKM talent show.[2][22]

Career

After his teenage years, Kramer moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue music. During this time he perfected his already good English. He was soon signed by the Allied Artists Music Group.[23][24] Kramer was granted word and trade marks for his stage name "ROCKY KRAMER", as well as a logo bearing the same name on June 11, 2013.[25] Working together with his band and noted producer Kim Richards, he released his debut album Firestorm on August 9, 2019,[21] celebrated with a "star-studded" red carpet release party, held on a sound stage in Los Angeles on July 30, 2019, that was catered by In & Out Burger.[26][27] On April 23, 2019, it was announced that Kramer had signed with TKO Booking Agency.[28] Immediately after the 2019 album release party, Kramer played August 4, 5 and 6 at the 2019 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota,[10] followed by a tour of the United Kingdom with Buckcherry, playing at venues such as the O2.[11][12] Kramer's first single "Rock Star," from the Firestorm album reached No. 1 on the Global DRT Chart on October 5, 2019.[9] Prior to releasing the "Rock Star" single, Kramer released "a humorous music video that pokes fun at 1980's era MTV style productions, as seen through the eyes of an animated 13-year-old "Little Rocky," dreaming of becoming a 'Rock Star!'"[29][30]

On April 7, 2020, the weekly Kramer-hosted live broadcast, "Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer", premiered on Twitch.[31][32] During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Kramer looked for ways to entertain from home. He had previously released a video of Comfortably Numb from Pink Floyd's The Wall, a tribute to David Gilmour.[33] Kramer chose Twitch because it was a "great way to stay in touch with fans and ... develop new fans"[34] During Kramer's October 13, 2020, Rock & Roll Tuesdays program, he premiered a cover video tribute to Yngwie Malmsteen, of the "Baroque & Roll" instrumental from Malmsteen's fourteenth studio album, Attack!!.[35][36] Throughout the Pandemic Lockdown, Kramer has released additional cover videos of Foo Fighters "The Pretender",[37] Linkin Park "Breaking The Habit,"[38] Edwyn Collins "A Girl Like You,"[39] CHVRCHES "Keep You on My Side,"[40] Queen "The Show Must Go On,"[41] and Genesis "Mama."[42][43]

Kramer performing in 2018

On November 19, 2020, organizers of the "'Let Me Help' Celebrity Benefit Concert" announced that Kramer would join Steve Vai, Slash, Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire), Suzy Quatro, Martha Davis (The Motels), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and many others, in a concert "to benefit those devastated by COVID-19, bullying, and prostate cancer" to be aired on November 24, 2020.[44][45]

On September 11, 2021, Kramer appeared at the 9/11 Celebrity Benefit Concert in New York City, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, performing "The Star Spangled Banner" on guitar along with Joey Belladonna, lead singer for Anthrax on vocals, Charlie Z (DRMAGDN) on drums and NO Mansfield (Revolushn) on bass guitar. Kramer additionally played "Some Kind of Wonderful," with Jon Butcher, and performed his chart topping single "Rock Star." One reviewer wrote: "Rocky Kramer killed it on both songs, but the real magic came when he took center stage to perform his hit single 'Rock Star' off his first studio album 'Firestorm.'"[46]

In August 2022, Kramer appeared on a U.S. Toyota commercial performing "a smokin' guitar solo beside a black Toyota Tacoma [that] ... gained viral notoriety during Saturday Night Live."[47][48] In addition to the Toyota commercial, Kramer shot "another commercial for a yet-to-be-announced international brand" in Arizona.[47] In October 2022, Kramer also appeared on "the global broadcast for the 'Let Me Help the Children of the World' benefit extravaganza along with over 80 iconic artists from all over the planet. He was joined by superstars including Paul Anka, Tony Orlando, Bonfire, Ten Years After, Leland Sklar (Toto, James Taylor), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, Smashing Pumpkins), John Lodge (Moody Blues), Jon Davidson (YES), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Tony Moore (Iron Maiden), Kenny Marquez (Renegade), YNG Zuck, and a barrage of others."[47]

The Rocky Kramer Band

Kramer assembled an accomplished group of progressive metal musicians formally known as "The Rocky Kramer Band".[49] In addition to Kramer, the current line up consists of Alejandro Mercado on drums and backup vocals,[50] Michael Dwyer on bass guitar and backup vocals[51] and Matt Grossman on Keyboards and backup vocals.[52][53] Each of the current members played on Kramer's Firestorm album, with the exception of Grossman, who joined the band after Firestorm was recorded, but has toured with Kramer. Grossman is expected to perform on Kramer's follow-up album. The original keyboard parts on Firestorm were performed by Jon Dunmore.[54]

Discography
Year Title Album details
2019 Rock Star Single, from Firestorm Album Label: Allied Artists Music Group
2019 Firestorm Album[55][lower-alpha 1] Label: Allied Artists Music Group
2021 Alcohol Single, from Firestorm Album Label: Allied Artists Music Group

Videography
Rocky and his younger animated self, "Little Rocky" from the Rock Star Music Video
Year Title Video details
2019 Rock Star Music Video, from the Rocky Kramer Firestorm Album[56] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Pink Floyd, "Comfortably Numb" by Rocky Kramer[33] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Foo Fighters, "The Pretender" by Rocky Kramer[37] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Linkin Park, "Breaking The Habit" by Rocky Kramer[38] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Edwyn Collins, "A Girl Like You" by Rocky Kramer[39] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 CHVRCHES, "Keep You on My Side" by Rocky Kramer[40] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Queen, "The Show Must Go On" by Rocky Kramer[41] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Genesis, "Mama" by Rocky Kramer[42] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Yngwie Malmsteen, "Baroque & Roll" by Rocky Kramer[36] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 KISS, "Love Gun" by Rocky Kramer[57] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2021 Led Zeppelin, "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" by Rocky Kramer[58] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2021 The Star-Spangled Banner by Rocky Kramer[59] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2021 Alcohol Music Video, from the Rocky Kramer Firestorm Album[60] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group

Accolades
Award Category Year Result Ref(s)
Rock Over America Music Awards Best New Male Rock Musician 2012 Won [61][62]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Rock music 2019 Nominated [8]

Immigration and naturalization

Kramer grew up in 1990's Norway, but felt it wasn't the best decade or location for rock music, preferring music created before he was born that became popular in the United States. He decided to attend classes in California in 2011,[3] obtaining a student visa to do so. While in the United States as a student, Kramer hoped to be discovered. Owing to the efforts of his school's host family matriarch, Kramer met noted guitarist, Mike Pinera (Alice Cooper, Iron Butterfly & Blues Image), who introduced him to Allied Artists Music Group, who signed him to a recording contract and petitioned for an "extraordinary ability" visa. Kramer relocated to the United States permanently in 2012. Soon thereafter, Kramer exchanged his "Extraordinary Ability" visa for "Permanent Resident" status. Five years later Kramer became eligible to apply for United States citizenship. However, he didn't want to renounce his Norwegian citizenship. Fortuitously for Kramer, Norway changed its laws to permit dual citizenship a month before he became eligible to submit his U.S. citizenship application. Kramer applied for and was sworn in as a United States citizen on March 4, 2021. Because Norway now permits dual citizenship, Kramer is officially a citizen of both Norway and the United States, referring to himself as a "Norwegian-American."[63] To celebrate being welcomed in as a United States citizen, Kramer recorded an instrumental version of The "Star Spangled Banner," filming portions during his oath ceremony and releasing it as a music video[59] that premiered on the March 9, 2021, episode of "Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer."[64][65]

Equipment
Rocky and a wall of ENGL Amps with "Ace," one of his Fender Stratocasters

In regard to Kramer's choice of musical instruments, equipment and endorsements, he has stated: "I approach endorsements different than some artists. I only endorse products I honestly use and honestly love."[66] Kramer bought his first Fender Stratocaster at age 14 and owns a number of them today, along with a Fender Telecaster and Jazz Bass. Kramer had an opportunity to endorse Gibson guitars, but chose Fender over Gibson because that's what he plays.[17] In addition to Fender, Kramer also endorses ENGL Amps,[67] Jim Dunlop Guitar Picks,[68] ClearTone Guitar Strings,[69] Spiral Electric FX Pedals,[70] Fractal Audio Axe FX III Amp Modelers,[71] and JH Audio In-Ears.[72][66]

Notes
  1. The song Rock Star achieved Number 1 – TOP 150 INDEPENDENT AIRPLAY CHART October 5, 2019[9]

References
  1. "Guitar Pioneers". Allied Artists' YouTube Channel. Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer, Season 2, Episode 26. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  2. Melstveit, Maren Elvig (August 16, 2016). "(+) Supergitarist Rocky Kramer fra Trondheim gjør suksess i Los Angeles". Adresseavisen (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  3. Ring, Su (August 18, 2018). "From Norway, with Love: Rocky Kramer's passion for playing metal and saving the environment". NorthWest Music Scene. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  4. Ball, Linda (August 3, 2018). "HEMPFEST returns to Seattle for its 27th year". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  5. "Rocky Kramer releases video for track "Rock Star"". Sleaze Roxx Magazine. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  6. "Singer/Musician/Songwriter Rocky Kramer's New Single "Alcohol" Rules The Rock World". The Hollywood Digest. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  7. "Rocky Kramer – Rock Star [Official Music Video] Exceeds A Million Views". Facebook Videos. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  8. "2019 music genre nominees". HMMA Awards. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  9. "DigitalRadioTracker.com – Your Global Radio Airplay Monitoring Solution..." www.digitalradiotracker.com. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  10. "Rocky Kramer is performing August 4th, 5th and 6th at One-Eyed Jack's during Sturgis 2019". Bands in Town. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  13. Shapiro, Eileen. "Rocky Kramer – A Musical Virtuoso". Official Fame Magazine. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  14. "Rock Guitar Sensation Rocky Kramer Cast As Lead In Mutt Productions Rockin' In Time Movie". MarketWatch News. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  15. Jacobsohn, Ron. "Rock Guitar Sensation Rocky Kramer Cast As Lead In Mutt Productions Rockin' In Time Movie". Allied Artists Pictures Distribution. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  16. "Rockin' In Time listing | IMDb". IMDb. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  17. "Rocky Kramer "Rock Star in the Truest Form"". The Hype Magazine. September 16, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  18. "Trondheim Symfoniorkester". Internet Archive tso.no. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  19. "Interview – Rocky Kramer Released Cover Of Queen's 'The Show Must Go On'". The Green Room Magazine. September 7, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  20. "The Internet Movie Database". IMDb (in Norwegian). Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  21. Randy Radic (July 14, 2020). "Rocky Kramer Struts His Talent on 'Firestorm'". The Hollywood Digest. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  22. "The Norwegian Youth Festivals of Art". ukm.no. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  23. "Interviews: Allied Artists Music Group's Stephan Bauer signs Rocky Kramer". Allied Artists YouTube Channel. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  24. "Rocky Kramer Signs Recording Contract with Allied Artists Music Group". Allied Artists. August 17, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  25. "United States Patent & Trademark Office, Reg. No. 4349557". www.USPTO.gov. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  26. "ROCKY KRAMER – Record Release Party and Red Carpet – LA River Studios – 7/30/19". Will To Rock Magazine. August 12, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  27. "Allied Artists To Host Star Studded Party To Celebrate Rocky Kramer's Firestorm Album Release". PR Log. June 30, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  28. "Rocky Kramer Signs With TKO". Allied Artists. April 23, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  29. "Rocky Kramer's "Firestorm" to be released via Allied Artists Music Group on CD, LP and digital formats August 9th". Music Talkers Magazine. July 13, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  30. "Rocky Kramer releases video for track "Rock Star"". Sleaze Roxx. September 6, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  31. "Rocky Kramer Rock & Roll Tuesdays On Twitch 7–9 PM PT". Celebrity Zones. September 21, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  32. "Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer". IMDb. April 7, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  33. "Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb COVER (A Tribute to David Gilmour by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. February 7, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  34. "Rocky Kramer "Firestorm"". Mimic News. August 16, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  35. "Rocky Kramer To Premier Video Tribute to the Great Yngwie Malmsteen On Rock & Roll Tuesdays On Twitch 10/13/20". Indie Pulse Music. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  36. "Yngwie Malmsteen – Baroque & Roll (A Humble Tribute by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  37. "Foo Fighters – The Pretender (80s Synth Rock Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. February 28, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  38. "Linkin Park – Breaking The Habit (Metal Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. March 2, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  39. "Edwyn Collins – A Girl Like You (80s Inspired Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. May 15, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  40. "CHVRCHES – Keep You on My Side (Metal Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. June 12, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  41. "Queen – The Show Must Go On (Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. July 14, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  42. "Genesis – Mama COVER (A Tribute to Phil Collins by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. September 1, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  43. "Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer Episode Guide". Allied Artists Broadcasting. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  44. "Rocky Kramer Joins Steve Vai, Rick Wakeman, John Lodge, Kennny Lee Lewis and More at the SohoJohnny "Let Me Help, Inc" Celebrity Benefit Concert 11/24/20". Hollywood Fame Magazine. September 19, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  45. "Rocky Kramer To Make A Highly Anticipated Appearance at the SohoJohnny "Let Me Help, Inc" Celebrity Benefit Concert 11/24/20". Los Angeles Weekly Times. September 19, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  46. fabiola, staff reviewer (September 16, 2020). "Live Review: Rocky Kramer Performs At 9/11 Celebrity Benefit Concert". New York Weekly Times. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  47. Zuckerman, Marc (October 18, 2022). "Rocky Kramer: Commercially Powerful "Shredding" Guitar Hero for Toyota". Pop Wrapped Magazine. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  48. "2022 Toyota Tacoma TV Spot, 'Electric Guitar'". ispot.tv. September 9, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  49. "The Rocky Kramer Band". rockykramer.com. October 13, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  50. "Precision thrashing from one unique drummer!". rockykramer.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  51. "One boundless bass player!". rockykramer.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  52. "One Prodigious Piano Player!". rockykramer.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  53. "Rocky Kramer releases video for track "Rock Star"". rockykramer.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  54. "Rocky Kramer On Twitter". twitter.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  55. "Album Review: Firestorm by Rocky Kramer (7/10) | Magazine". Music Connection Magazine. October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  56. "Rock Star, The Music Video by Rocky Kramer (7/10) | YouTube". YouTube YouTube. October 15, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  57. "KISS – Love Gun (1987 Cover by Rocky Kramer) | YouTube". YouTube YouTube. December 1, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  58. "Led Zeppelin – Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You (Cover by Rocky Kramer) | YouTube". YouTube YouTube. March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  59. "The Star-Spangled Banner by Rocky Kramer | YouTube". YouTube YouTube. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  60. "Rocky Kramer – Alcohol [Official Music Video] | YouTube". YouTube YouTube. June 4, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  61. "Rocky Kramer To Make A Highly Anticipated Appearance At The SohoJohnny "Let Me Help, Inc" Celebrity Benefit Concert 11/24/20". Los Angeles Weekly Times. November 19, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  62. "Rocky Kramer To Premier Video Tribute To The Great Yngwie Malmsteen On Rock & Roll Tuesdays On Twitch 10/13/20". Indie Pulse Music Magazine. October 12, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  63. Star, Jimmy (March 11, 2021). "Rocky Kramer 'Welcome to America'". Splash Magazine. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  64. "EP:2–24 – Unplugged". Allied Artists Broadcasting. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  65. "Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer, EP2.24: Mar 9, 2021 Unplugged". Allied Artists Broadcasting. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  66. Shapiro, Eileen. "Rocky Kramer – One of The Most Gifted Guitar Players On The Planet". L.A. Times Now. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  67. "Rocky Kramer's Engl E645 PowerBall 2 Head". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  68. "Jim Dunlop Jazz III Rocky Kramer Black Guitar Pick". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  69. "Rocky Kramer's Cleartone 10–52 Light Top Heavy Bottom Electric Guitar Strings". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  70. "Rocky Kramer's Spiral Electric FX Black Fuzz". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  71. "Rocky Kramer's Fractal Audio Axe-FX III". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  72. "Rocky Kramer's JH Audio Custom In Ear Monitors". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
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