Kid Rock Shares That His Dad, Bill Ritchie Sr., Has Died

Mary Powell / Pinterest via Kid Rock / Instagram

Kid Rock announced on social media this morning (Feb. 16) that his father, William Ritchie Sr., passed away last night.

The musician shared a heartfelt message on X, reminiscing on his father’s dedication to family and celebrating his life as the patriarch of the Ritchie family.

“My Dad, Bill Ritchie Sr, moved on to be with Jesus yesterday. He was an incredible father, grandfather, great grandfather, and so much more, none shy of being quite the character! Thank you for your condolences in advance. God Bless you and I love you Pop!”

Kid Rock, whose legal name is Robert James Ritchie, signed his post as “Bob Ritchie.”

For years, Kid Rock has captivated audiences with his exceptional blend of rock, hip-hop, and country music, showcasing his versatility as a singer, songwriter, and entertainer.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he rose to fame with chart-topping hits like “Bawitdaba” and “Cowboy,” constantly pushing boundaries and exploring a range of musical styles.

Born in Romeo, Michigan, on January 17, 1971, Kid Rock grew up in a business-oriented family. His parents owned car dealerships, providing him with a childhood on expansive grounds featuring an apple orchard and barnyard.

Kid Rock actually credits his father’s influence for sparking his interest in country music.

In an interview with DBusiness in 2009, he shared, “My dad liked a lot of the outlaw country stuff — Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, all of the early Sun Records.”

He also shared how his parents may have indirectly influenced his passion and determination for success in music.

“My parents had barn parties on Friday nights. [They] would drink and listen to rock ’n’ roll, and Dad says that was just getting warm for Saturday [night].”

Kid Rock’s musical inclinations were undoubtedly shaped by his parents, particularly his father’s work ethic and ambition.

Despite occasional childhood resentment towards his father’s intense dedication to work, Kid Rock acknowledges its lasting impact. His father’s high expectations drove him academically, though he ultimately chose not to pursue college.

“I’ve always been surrounded with good people,” Rock says. “My dad put himself through college working odd jobs when he was a kid and graduated [at the] top of his business class at Michigan State, and then built a very successful car dealership.”

RELATED: Kid Rock Remembers His Youth In Music Video For “All Summer Long”

Kid Rock’s discography is filled with personal songs, but “Drinking Beer With Dad,” released in 2015, stands out as a nostalgic tribute to his father.

Featured on his album First Kiss, Kid Rock reminisces about simpler times spent bonding with his father, particularly the ritual of drinking beer together.

See a few of the lyrics from “Drinking Beer With Dad” below.

“Drinking beer with dad /
Out there on the back porch swinging /
Drinking beer with dad /
Picking my guitar and grinning /

We’d hem and haw, we’d cuss and fight /
But that’s where I learned life’s best advice /
We’d talk about when I was young and bad /
Sometimes he’d make me fightin’ mad /
Best education I ever had /
Was out there on the back porch drinking beer with dad.”

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Ritchie family and their loved ones during this difficult time.