Richie Kotzen Releases 'Ivory Queen,' His Second Surprise Solo Single of 2026

Richie Kotzen has released a new solo song, “Ivory Queen,” accompanied by an official lyric video.

Released on August 20, 2026, the track becomes Kotzen’s second surprise solo release of the year following “Catch a Star”, which arrived in May without being tied to a newly announced full-length album.

For “Ivory Queen,” Kotzen has also explained that the title should not be interpreted as referring to a woman.

According to Kotzen, “Ivory Queen” is a metaphor for the pursuit of approval and validation from outside ourselves.

“‘Ivory Queen’ is not a woman,” Kotzen explained in a video message, describing the song instead as being about “external validation, and the constant chase of that.”

The new track continues a period in which Kotzen appears increasingly comfortable releasing individual songs as they are completed rather than waiting for a conventional album campaign.

That approach was already evident with “Catch a Star,” released on May 22.

After finishing touring commitments with Smith/Kotzen, Kotzen said he originally intended to take an extended break before rediscovering the partially completed song in his archives. He ultimately recorded every instrument and vocal himself.

At the time, Kotzen said he had become more interested in releasing music in real time rather than holding songs indefinitely until enough material existed for another album.

Kotzen’s career has rarely followed a single path.

Alongside more than 20 solo albums, he has been a member of Poison and Mr. Big and co-founded The Winery Dogs in 2012.

He also works alongside Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith in Smith/Kotzen, a collaboration that has become another major part of his recording and touring activity.

Kotzen’s recording career stretches back to 1988, when he signed with Shrapnel Records as a young guitarist and began building a career that combined instrumental ability with songwriting and vocals.

Kotzen has also spoken directly with Rockum’s Gino Alache about different chapters of that career.

In 2024, Kotzen joined Rockum for an extensive conversation around his solo album Nomad, its songwriting and the creative process behind the record.

Read: Richie Kotzen Interview with Gino Alache | The Story Behind Nomad

Rockum also interviewed Kotzen in 2021 around the launch of Smith/Kotzen, his collaboration with Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith.

Read: Richie Kotzen – Smith/Kotzen Exclusive Interview with Gino Alache

Those conversations provide additional context to an artist whose career continues to move between solo songwriting and several established rock projects.

So far, Kotzen’s 2026 solo activity consists of two standalone releases:

May 22 - “Catch a Star”

August 20 - “Ivory Queen”

“Catch a Star” runs 4:16 and was released independently under Kotzen’s name.

No new solo album has been officially announced in connection with “Ivory Queen,” so Rockum is treating the song as a standalone release unless Kotzen announces a larger project.

For Kotzen, the surprise-release approach provides a different way of maintaining his solo catalog alongside Smith/Kotzen, The Winery Dogs and his other work.

Rather than waiting for a traditional album cycle, “Catch a Star” and now “Ivory Queen” show new material being released as it becomes ready.

And for longtime listeners, “Ivory Queen” keeps the emphasis on something Kotzen has consistently placed alongside his reputation as a guitarist: songwriting.

With “Ivory Queen,” Richie Kotzen adds a second unexpected solo track to 2026 while continuing a career that stretches from Poison and Mr. Big to The Winery Dogs, Smith/Kotzen and more than two decades of solo releases.

Whether the two new songs eventually develop into another full-length project remains open. For now, Kotzen appears content to let each song arrive on its own schedule.

Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist

IMAGE CREDIT: Richie Kotzen

Watch Richie Kotzen’s official lyric video for “Ivory Queen” below: