Joe Rickard

Joe Rickard is an American record producer, mixing engineer, and drummer. He is best known for his time behind the kit for the rock band Red and the Swedish heavy metal act In Flames, and he has since built a thriving career as a studio professional, working with a roster of prominent rock and metal artists.

Based in Southern California, Rickard has performed on over 40 albums and toured with multiple acts. His production and mixing credits include Starset, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Saliva, Theory of a Deadman, and Ashes Remain, often collaborating with producer Howard Benson. As of 2026, he continues to work on high-profile releases, including Starset's fifth album. [edit]

Joe Rickard's journey began in Los Angeles, but his own website describes a path that went "From Texas to Sweden and everywhere in between." Growing up, he gravitated toward drumming, and his early skill earned him recognition from Zildjian, who later voted him one of their "Up & Coming/Rising Stars."

Before he became a household name in the rock world, Rickard honed his craft through years of practice and local performances. He eventually landed his first major gig in 2008, joining the American rock band Red as their drummer. That opportunity launched his professional career and set the stage for his later work with In Flames. [edit]

Rickard's big break came in 2008 when he joined Red, a Christian rock band known for hits like "Breathe Into Me." He spent six years with the group, contributing to their albums and touring extensively before departing in 2014.

In September 2016, In Flames announced Rickard as their new drummer, filling a vacancy in the Swedish metal powerhouse. He performed with the band for over two years, but in March 2019, guitarist Björn Gelotte revealed that Rickard had to leave mid-recording of the album I, The Mask due to back problems. That health issue ended his drumming tenure but opened a new chapter.

Shifting focus to the studio, Rickard became a sought-after producer and mixing engineer. He frequently collaborates with Howard Benson, and his credits span a wide range of rock acts, including Starset, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Saliva, and Theory of a Deadman. His work on Starset's fifth album, released recently, highlights his continued relevance in the modern rock scene. [edit]

Joe Rickard's public persona is that of a working musician who made a seamless transition from touring drummer to in-demand studio professional. He is respected within the drumming community, thanks in part to his Zildjian artist status, and his production work has earned him credibility among rock and metal fans.

His social media presence is understated, with a focus on professional updates rather than personal branding. On X, he describes himself as a "Mix Engineer. Writer/Producer. Drummer," and his Instagram bio simply reads "Producer & Mixer." This no-frills approach resonates with fans who appreciate his craft over flash. [edit]

Joe Rickard sits outside the global spotlight that defines the world's most ubiquitous entertainers. As of August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his career trajectory but determined he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings for the Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific top-100 lists. While his name resonates deeply within the specific circles of rock and metal production, he lacks the widespread numerical ranking assigned to figures with massive mainstream saturation. This absence of a ranked position reflects a career built on high-level craftsmanship behind the glass rather than front-facing celebrity status. His audience consists of dedicated fans of the bands he toured with and the artists he produces, yet this group has no formal moniker or organized identity. Research confirms no documented fanbase name exists specifically for Joe Rickard as an individual artist. Unlike stars who inspire chart-topping campaigns or fan-funded tributes, Rickard's supporters identify primarily through their loyalty to groups like Red, In Flames, Starset, or Breaking Benjamin. The community surrounding his work operates through standard industry appreciation rather than the ritualized devotion seen in pop culture phenomena. There are no records of viral incidents, street-shutting performances, or legendary anecdotes that have entered the broader cultural mythology of the genre. His departure from In Flames in 2019 was noted in music news as a significant personnel shift, sparking discussion among metalheads, but it did not evolve into a mythic event or generate extraordinary public reaction. Fans occasionally discuss his drumming techniques on forums or analyze drum cam footage of tracks like "Like Sand," but these interactions remain minor observations rather than foundational lore. The narrative of his career is defined by professional transitions and consistent output rather than the creation of iconic, story-driven moments that define global legends.[edit]

Rickard holds a Zildjian endorsement, a mark of early recognition from the cymbal manufacturer that highlighted him as a rising star before he fully established his studio career. He has performed on more than 40 albums, showcasing his versatility across genres ranging from post-grunge to alternative metal. His professional website, joerickardproductions.com, acts as a central hub for his portfolio and services, reflecting a business-first approach to his growing reputation. Despite his heavy metal roots with acts like In Flames, his production credits span a broader spectrum, including major names such as Starset, Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin. He maintains a modest social media presence with under 10,000 followers on X, prioritizing professional updates over personal branding. While his tenure with In Flames ended in a sudden change that reportedly impacted band members, the event remains a matter of industry news rather than folklore. No organized fan campaigns, birthday billboards, or charity drives initiated solely in his name have been documented. Similarly, there are no specific rituals or inside jokes attributed to a dedicated fanbase, as his supporters generally align with the bands he has played for or produced. A minor moment of fan engagement involved viewers attempting to identify songs based on his drumming in a "Like Sand" video, but this observation has not evolved into a wider legend.[edit]

Joe Rickard keeps his family life relatively private, but a news item from August 2026 revealed he has a son named Wyatt Rickard, who was five years old at the time. The two were photographed together at a Greater Alliance community event, where Wyatt completed a pull-up, a moment that hinted at an active, supportive father-son relationship.

Details about Rickard's parents, siblings, or the identity of Wyatt's mother are not publicly documented. He appears to reside in Southern California, where he runs his production business. [edit]

Joe Rickard has built strong professional relationships throughout his career. His most notable collaboration is with producer Howard Benson, with whom he frequently works on production and mixing projects. He also maintains ties with his former bands, Red and In Flames, and has worked with a range of artists including Starset, Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin. His Zildjian endorsement connects him to the drumming community. [edit]

Joe Rickard keeps his personal life out of the spotlight, and there is no public documentation of his dating history or current relationship status. He has a son, Wyatt Rickard, but the identity of Wyatt's mother has not been disclosed. As of 2026, Rickard appears to be single or at least not publicly partnered, based on available information. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Joe Rickard's net worth at $5 Million as of 2026. This financial standing derives primarily from his extensive work as a record producer and mixing engineer, where fees fluctuate based on the scope of each project and the prominence of the artist. His catalog includes performances on over 40 albums featuring major rock acts that command premium rates. Although his days of touring are largely behind him, earnings from those years contributed to his foundation. An endorsement deal with Zildjian likely provides supplementary income, while his production company, Joe Rickard Productions, functions as a business hub for his ongoing ventures. He has avoided the path of massive celebrity endorsement deals, instead building a solid financial base through consistent studio work and a respected reputation within the rock industry.[edit]