Ricky's musical journey began at the tender age of nine, when he started playing drums alongside his older brothers. Together, they formed a band called "The Flames," which went on to record several tracks, tour extensively throughout Southern Africa, and achieve significant popularity. In 1968, the band made the bold decision to relocate to London, and two years later, they moved to Los Angeles after signing with the esteemed "Brother" label, a subsidiary of the Beach Boys. During their time with the label, The Flames released two albums, cementing their status as a formidable force in the music industry.
Following the disbandment of The, Flames Ricky joined the Beach Boys, embarking on an extensive tour and recording music in the Netherlands. This period saw him collaborate with numerous artists in both London and Los Angeles, further honing his skills and expanding his musical repertoire. It was during this time, between 1977 and 1978, that he received a call from Eric Idle, asking him to appear in the TV show "The Rutles, All You Need is Cash," where he played the character of Stig O'Hara, the quiet and enigmatic member of the fictional band.
Ricky's next significant musical venture came in 1979, when he met Bonnie Raitt and worked with her on her album "Green Light" as part of The Bump Band. This marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration, and Ricky soon found himself emigrating to Australia, where he continued to work with a wide range of artists, including Tim Finn, Crowded House, Jenny Morris, Wendy Matthews, and Renee Geyer. He not only played on and co-produced albums for these acts but also lent his skills to the production of music for films such as "The Coca-Cola Kid," "High Tide," and Barry Humphries' "Les Patterson Saves the World." Additionally, Ricky composed the score for the Australian film "Spotswood," solidifying his reputation as a versatile and accomplished musician.
