Q&A: Kid Rock on Sex, Rock and Videotape

A live album. A nationwide tour. A leaked sex tape. A lawsuit. Kid Rock's (a.k.a. Bob Ritchie's) multitasking skills have been put to the test over the past few weeks. His new CD, "Live Trucker," was released right around the time a graphic 40-second video clip hit the Web; it showed Rock and the Detroit rapper (and former Creed frontman) Scott Stapp—strange bedfellows to say the least—having sex with four women on a tour bus in 1999. The entire tape (45 minutes in all) belonged to Stapp, but it somehow ended up in the hands of the online distributor Red Light District; legal teams for both artists blocked its sale. Rock spoke with NEWSWEEK's Lorraine Ali about sex, rock and videotape. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: You've been quite busy lately, haven't you?

Kid Rock: Yes. I should have called my new record "Now That I Have Your Attention."

A live album seems like a weird choice for you. They were such a '70s phenomenon—and even then, they usually weren't very good.

There's a couple good things on mine, but it's not the greatest record in the world. It's a good record, though. We're still trying to transition into a great live band. It's something fun and positive, if you know what I mean.

I take it that this sex tape scandal is not a positive thing in your life?

I don't know what to do with it. It's something I'm definitely not proud of, but I'm not embarrassed by it either. It's rock and roll, and it goes on. If I've gotta a carry that flag ..."

This does look like the ultimate publicity stunt—the tape drops just as your new album drops.

I know. But really, I'm not that calculated. It's very lame that it got out. And it's very lame that Scott is blaming it on someone "sabotaging" his career. It's like, it's your tape, idiot! I'm holding him responsible for it ... Well, it's my responsibility, too. But I was a little caught up at the time. My mind was in other places.

How have your fans reacted?

They've said, "I'm not really shocked you were in a video having sex with four girls. I'm not surprised that someone got it on tape. But, man —what the hell were you doing hanging out with Scott Stapp?"

It is pretty hard to tarnish your image.

I'm a nice person. I am . I'm not rude. I think you'll see in that 40-second clip: he walks in like, "Scott Stapp. King!" I walk in like, "Hi, I'm Bob."

I'm only surprised, given your reputation, that something like this didn't happen sooner.

No, it's not my thing. I'm not into videos. But it was my own fault for getting involved. I can guarantee I wasn't sober at the time.

You had to know that someday this tape was going to surface.

I hadn't thought about it until the day it leaked on the Web. Then I thought of the company I was gonna be in, and I was like, "Oh God!" The whole Paris Hilton thing. I'm not saying I'm better than them, it's just not where I wanna be.

What have your parents said?

I haven't talked to my mom about it—that's just too weird. My dad just made a face like he had a bad taste in his mouth. The main thing is trying to explain it to my son. He's 12. I have to explain that there's different options in life. Or say, "Maybe someday you can settle down and have a family, all those things all of us want. They just didn't work out for me that way."

But you still could get married and settle down, you know.

Hmm. I don't know. I have issues like everyone else does, but it's not in the area of cheating. It's more about showing affection. I'm not the best hand-holder in public.

OK, let's talk about music for a minute. You've started developing new artists now. Have you found any great rock talents so far?

I'm just waiting for that. There's some young kid out there with long hair who hates hip-hop and who's just gonna nail it. I know he's out there. Just show your face!

What do you plan on for your next album?

The last time I really sat down and masterminded an album was "Devil Without a Cause," and that sold 11 million. I'm not saying I can do the same again, but I'm really going to try hard to transition into a great songwriter. I have a song written already that I dare to feel could change the world.

So you're working on this record now?

Yes. I've been talking with Rick Rubin. We both came from the same place—hip-hop fused with rock and roll. We've always being friends but we've never worked together. Now I want to make a really good, timeless rock-and-roll record."

And what about a video?

Ha.