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Kix Drummer Rick Reittenbach Shows Courage

on Eve of Shooter's Benefit on March 6th

By Scott Baker

  Having played his share of benefits as the drummer in The Kix Band, Saginaw resident Rick Reittenbach is overwhelmed at the number of musicians and groups who have come forth for him now in his time of need.

Having spent the past seven years with Epstein's Disease, a genetic disorder that has eaten away at his blood platelets, Reittenbach is set to begin dialysis for kidney failure.

"I'm tired and a little sore," said Reittenbach last week.  "I had an operation on Monday. They had to put an AV access into my arm, because they are prepping me for dialysis. I went down to Henry Ford Hospital. I was in and out in a couple of hours. In another three to four weeks I'm going to be starting dialysis."

Known for his outstanding friendship to all local musicians as well as his stellar time keeping behind the kit, Reittenbach has spent the past seven years with a big smile on his face, in spite of the pain he has been putting up with.

"What's going on is I have kidney failure like millions and millions of other Americans do," said Reittenbach.  "Mine is genetic, because I have a disease called Epstein's Disease. My (blood) platelet count has been extremely low which causes me to be anemic. Two years ago I was diagnosed with the first stages of kidney failure. Dec. 21, I went into Saint Mary's Hospital, because I had a major infection through my complete body -which was gout -which is uric acid. My foot was swollen up the size of a watermelon and I couldn't walk on it, because my kidneys were working less than ten percent of its function."

He is taking specific calcium drugs to keep his bones from becoming brittle, as well as high blood pressure medicine to keep a strong blood flow.

"I'm still going to have to have a transplant eventually," he said.  "I've been going through the last seven weeks feeling like crap all the time. Toxic, sore, I'm burning up. It's in my cheeks, it's in my limbs, my fingertips, toes, and everything is pain. I've been living with this and my body is learning to live with this. This genetic disease we think is causing (my kidneys) to deteriorate and they don't have a cure for it. I have to have a transplant eventually. I'm not even on the donor list yet, because they have been waiting for Medicaid to kick in to get on the list. But I have a couple brothers and sisters that want to test and see if they're a match."

  Not being able to work or play drums due to the operation, Reittenbach has been stockpiling bills that he can't keep while he awaits help.

"I didn't have any insurance and I've been waiting on Medicaid, because when you have kidney failure (and) you're going to have to have a transplant, you automatically get on social security. But I had to wait. It wasn't until Friday that my Medicaid kicked in and I had all these bills that were piling up and everything."

In the meantime, local friends, musicians, and well-wishers can help out Reittenbach for just $10 per ticket on Sunday, March 6, at Shooter's in Saginaw. From 1 to 10 p.m., you can be entertained by some of the many musicians that have donated their time and love towards Reittenbach, and eat a spaghetti dinner as well. Kids under 5 get in free and Shooter's is opening up the game room for the kids to play in for free.

"Tim (Barocko, Kix guitarist/vocalist) and my girlfriend Bev (Dorion) have decided to put on this benefit, so I can pay for all the medications I'm going to be on and help on my bills. We've been overwhelmed with people that have wanted to play my benefit."

A shortlist of musicians playing the benefit include Dr. Rock, Sugar Buzz, Count 'n The Change, The Brush/Lopez Group, Laurie Middlebrook, and many more.

"I'm going to be living with this for the rest of my life," said the drummer.  "It keeps me tired, my face gets numb, my body and arms get numb and now it's come to a head pretty much. It took my kidneys, so I don't know what else it will take.  It kind of sucks, because I want to be healthy. I want to be able to live and run and jump just like anybody else. And I realize that I'm not in a place like the guys that are fighting in Iraq that are coming home losing a limb and are all shot up. Those guys really have problems. But I am in this spot in my life where it's probably going to affect me for the rest of my life. I didn't ask for it, I'm not a heavy drinker, I'm not a heavy smoker, you know. I didn't ask to be sick and I am, so that's the extent of it."

For more information, contact Bev Dorion (989-792-2470) or Tim Barocko (989-781-4042).

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