Rikki Zazula is the daughter of metal pioneers Marsha and Jon Zazula (known as Jonny Z), founders of Megaforce Records. She tells how she was surrounded by drugs and Rock n Roll from a young age and how that exposure led to drug addiction and other mental health issues which took decades to mitigate. She shares how she ultimately found hope and learned to love herself in recovery.
On this episode, Rikki talks to Matt about:
- How her parents started Megaforce Records soon after she was born and signed rising artists such as Metallica and Anthrax
- Being surrounded by metal music as a child and having artists stay in her home in New Jersey
- The drug addictions both her parents struggled with and how drugs were always a part of their family
- Getting bullied after moving to a new community and how lacking a sense of belonging caused her to act out
- Finally feeling seen discovering artists like Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Alanis Morissette, and others
- Why money, sex, drug use, and overeating failed as coping mechanisms for many years
- Going into recovery and gradually feeling self-love for the first time
- Finally finding the tools to thrive through recovery programs and P3 workshops
- Struggling with the loss of both her parents, but finding the strength to carry on and remain sober
And More
This episode is sponsored by The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers – one of the oldest residential drug and alcohol rehab programs. ARC is a non-profit and was hit hard financially as a result of COVID. For more information, and to donate or sign up for their quarterly newsletter, visit thechanceto.org.
About Rikki Zazula
Rikki Zazula is the daughter of metal pioneers Marsha and Jon Zazula (known as Jonny Z), founders of Megaforce Records. She grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey where her Parents’ Rock N Roll Heaven record store was located and currently lives in Orlando, Florida.
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