Zoogz Rift (Born Robert Pawlikowski)
July 10, 1953 – March 22, 2011
Zoogz Rift was an experimental rock musician and professional wrestling personality. Musically influenced by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart, Rift began making records at the tail end of the ’70s. He recorded for Snout and later, the influential SST Records. Described as experimental and free-form, Rift’s music found an audience with fans of less conventional rock music. His involvement with professional wrestling included a run as Vice President of the Universal Wrestling Federation and as host of the online wrestling program, Puke-A-Mania, a weekly review of the goings-on of the WWE and TNA leagues. Zoogz Rift was 57 when he passed away on March 22, 2011. His death was attributed to diabetes.
Thanks to Mike Woodford and Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.