Yes, it's true. Hulk Hogan isn't just a superstar wrestler, an American icon, and a superb actor, he's also a rock star. One listen to Hulk Hogan and the Wrestling Boot Band's 1995 debut for Select Records, Hulk Rules, and I was hooked. It's 29 minutes and 40 seconds of pure bliss!
I listened in amazement as the Hulkster switched with ease from rough self-indulgent rockers, to gentle soul-searching ballads, and even a touch of country... all on the same album! The lines between professional wrestling and great singing/songwriting have been permanently blurred for me.
What's my advice to anyone who hasn't heard Hulk Rules yet?
Check out the pump, chump; then rush out and buy this record, brother!
Look at me, I'm a fucking idiot!
Below are the complete liner notes to Hulk Hogan and The Wrestling Boot
Band's "Hulk Rules".
Millions of adults and children in the United States and around the world
know that Hulk Hogan is the most powerful force in the universe. They are the
"Hulkamaniacs" and "Little Hulkamaniacs" that have cheered Hulk Hogan on to
victory and world heavyweight championships in the 1980's and 1990's.
Now, Hulk Hogan who has vanquished bad guys in the ring, set live
attendance records, pinned a giant, conquered pay-per-view, made movies,
hosted "Saturday Night Live", donated his time for over a decade to the
"Make A Wish Foundation" (and in that decade has been their most requested
human being), and been on all sorts of merchandise (shirts, buttons, action
figures, bandanas, etc.) now adds a new dimension: his very first music
album.
"HULK HOGAN: HULK RULES" brings a new dimension to the Hulkamania
phenomenon, as the huge pythons wrap themselves around the world of music
and bring it into Hulk's control.
This album is being released through Select Records, a very hip, cutting
edge record label, the home of the Jerky Boys, Kid 'N Play, Chubb Rock, AMG
and many other record industry success stories.
Hulk rocks, Hulk raps, Hulk delivers a poignant ballad. He is
accompanied by the man most often at his side, the "Mouth of the South", his
manager Jimmy Hart (who began in music as a member of the Gentrys); the
lovely and talented Linda Bollea; and the also very talented musician JJ
Maguire. Hulk, Jimmy, and JJ co-wrote all the songs on the album, including
Hulk's theme song "American Made" and the catchy "I Want To Be A Hulkamaniac".
Music is not new to Hulk. He actually started as a bass player before
he turned to professional wrestling. Hulk's return to music was inspired
a few years ago by a very sad event: the death of a child in the United
Kingdom who Hulk had visited while the child was still alive. This moved
Hulk to write the ballad, "Hulkster In Heaven", and inspired him to work
with Jimmy, JJ and Linda the members of the Wrestling Boot Band, to create
an entire album. As Hulk began writing more songs with his collaborators,
he became more and more excited that a music album would become a reality.
The extremely talented and hard-working Jimmy Hart, accompanied by JJ
Maguire, and the Hulkster, spent many long hours in the recording studio
producing this album, and Hulk is very excited by the results. We feel
confident that all of his Hulkamaniacs will be too!
Take a Look at the Heartfelt Lyrics to Hulk Rules
Are You Dying to Play Hulk Hogan's greatest hits?
Mike Omansky
Track Listing for Hulk Rules
