From the day Rocky was able to pick up a pencil he loved to draw. Growing up in a severely dysfunctional home and a victim of child abuse, drawing was his only escape from his less than ideal reality. Even though Rocky was the youngest of his siblings and smaller than his older brothers, it was his drawings that made him a giant. At the age of 9, Rocky started creating his Original 50's Rock n' Roll inspired designs and it was this that gave Rocky his own identity. Rocky's passion and love for the Custom Culture was largely influenced by Rock n' Roll icons like Elvis, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent & Eddie Cochran as well as TV classics such as "Happy Days", "Ozzie & Harriet" and Desi Arnaz, Ricky of "I Love Lucy."
Rocky came into his own in the early 80's while roaming Hollywood's old hard core hang outs. You could find Rocky at places from Melrose Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard and many other in between. He obtained street credibility and legitimacy in the scene like no other. King Cat was Rocking and Roaring the Streets of Southern California with the likes of the Blasters, X, the Ramones, Jimmy & the Mustangs, Social Distortion, the Stray Cats and others
A testament to the originality and excellence of Rocky's artwork was when Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats offered to trade the leather jacket he was wearing at a show at the Palace in Hollywood in 1983 for the one Rocky was wearing. Rocky was wearing an original hand painted "Rebels Rule" design Levi's jacket. Rocky declined the trade with Brian because the Levi jacket itself was originally a Christmas gift from his mother.
A True All-American Original Greaser (OG), GAT, a.k.a. Rocky, paid his dues for over two decades creating custom work for groups and individuals exclusively. In the late 1990's much to the dismay of many, Rocky was forced into an abrupt and premature early retirement for designing due to family obligations. Now in response to popular demand Rocky "King Cat" has made many of his best designs available to the public. There is no doubt that his outstanding artwork has rightfully returned Rocky to the King Cat Thrown. His decision to come out of retirement was motivated largely to right the course of a Rockabilly scene that has UNFORTUNATELY been misdirected, misrepresented, and misled. "It just sickens me when I see all this crap that's out there. There is just way too much garbage out there, put out buy those whom have no respect for the culture and only use our beloved scene as a way to make a quick buck."
Due to an endless passion and dedication to the Rock n' Roll culture, Rocky, a purist, came out of retirement to provide true rebels with designs worthy of the original counter culture. "UNFORTUNATELY" the Rockabilly, psycho & punk scene is run over by poser designers that use lousy clip-art to exploit the scene. With few authentic alternatives, it is easy to see why Rocky decided to make a come back.
"King Cat is the best! His designs are original, raw and true to the classic rock n' roll style." - Bernie Dexter, pin-up model.
"I love all the King Cat designs especially The Royal Counts logo it's great!" - Eddie Nichols of Royal Crown Revue.
Sadly Rocky's return may be a temporary one. Sources close to the King Cat Nobility report that Rocky's love for designing remains strong but he is exceedingly turned-off by the great number of posers that are invading in the scene.
"For cats like me this (Rock n' Roll) isn't about style, this is who I am; it's a way of life. So many of us O.G.s really resent it when these fake labels pass off clip-art as their own designs. These posers just make me sick."
Rocky creates designs cats and kittens are proud to wear. For a limited time Rocky will continue to produce his Original Custom Trademark Designs EXCLUSIVELY for King Cat, Hollywood. Like Rocky, King Cat is the genuine article and he is one of US!
King Cat would like to thank Daniel "Double Down" for this recent submission on his BLOG.