Happy Holidays excitable nation! Hoping you all have a peaceful and joyous holiday week. Let’s get it started with this edition of the 311 fan spotlight – meet Rich Williams!

It was Rich’s high school girlfriend who introduced him to 311. She had a bootleg tape from Nebraska and told him he needed to listen to this song, “My Stoney Baby.” “I listened to song and then the album Music and I was like this rock/rap band is amazing. I couldn’t believe how different and tight the band sounded at that time.”

While Rich doesn’t count the exact number of shows he’s attended, he believes the count is somewhere in the 40’s. First show he went to was in 1996 at Red Rocks Amphitheater. “They played an amazing 27 song set list that blew my mind (check the set list on the 311 site).”

Rich lives in Colorado, so he’s lucky enough to have Red Rocks right in his backyard to see amazing shows! However his favorite 311 show so far was the Sokol 25th anniversary show in Nebraska. “It was my first “special show” and the set list was amazing. I couldn’t believe a big band would come back and give back to their old school fans like that. There’s nothing  those small venues where you and 600 of your friends jam with a band and become one that night.”

There are many songs that mean a lot to Rich, as he feels he has evolved with the band over the last 30 years. However he chose “Little Brother” as a song that really stands out to him. “The reason I like it is I really identify with it. I’m a little brother and my big brother always looked out for me when I started going down the wrong paths in life, kinda like what Nick did for his brother. Plus it could be the most punk rock song they have, it’s so heavy! I believe they have only played it once in 3/11/14. I need to hear this at 311 day.”

One of his current favorite lyrics is from the song “Stainless” – Not for the faint of heart, It will not be painless. You’ll take your licks and you’ll never come out stainless whoa oh, oh. Outlandish dreams can come to pass, it happens so fast. There’s no end to what you can achieve, but first you gotta believe.”

Rich’s family is from the San Francisco Bay Area and he said his parents were hippies in the 60’s in San Francisco. “I mean my Dad saw Jimmy Hendrix c’mon man that is everyone’s bucket list. I would say I got my love of music from my dad initially then my older brother and sister.” Rich moved to Colorado his freshman year of high school and has been there ever since. “I absolutely love it here. I have raised 3 kids here and they are all grown up and out of the house. So once they kids left I went on tour with 311 every year starting in 2017. I was just over 40 years old and saying to myself what should I do with my life? So I went road tripping and found myself and 311 and it really rejuvenated my life, It reminded me of my youth when I would travel to see the Dead or Phish.”

Interesting fact about Rich is that he has a ton of phobias including clowns, balloons, spiders, and snakes. Something that makes him unique is that he’s a very outgoing and social person most of the time. “I can go anywhere and meet somebody and have a good time. I started traveling around following 311 and I would just introduce myself as Rich from Denver and it has just stuck, it like I have this alter ego when I go on tour.”

Some other bands that Rich loves include System of a Down, Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine and Iron Maiden. He also really enjoys Rebelution and RDGLDGRN. Guilty pleasure for Rich is The GAP band. “I freakin love them, I mean who doesn’t right?”

Rich’s message to 311 is: “I appreciate every band members attitude, humbleness and dedication to their ever evolving music and fans.”

Now his words to all the fellow 311 fans:

“I have met hundreds of people on my travels and I will say overall we are the best fans ever and friends for life all over the country. Stay Positive and Love your life. Much Love, Rich From Denver!”

———————

There you have the story of Rich Williams! Much gratitude to Rich for sharing his tale and to all those out there who keep on reading. You are all amazing and I wish you the happiest holiday season!

Much Love,

The Runt