220;black” enough to succeed commercially. In the ensuing years he floundered, with his difficulties compounded by his parents’ divorce in 1985. Kravitz found a kindred spirit in recording engineer Henry Hirsch, who shared his love of retro rock and rhythm. In Hirsch’s studio in New Jersey, the two began work on what eventually would become his debut album, Let Love Rule. Still calling himself Romeo Blue, Kravitz was introduced to actress Lisa Bonet (known as Denise Cosby on The Cosby Show) during a backstage gathering after a show by the pop-soul group New Edition. In November 1987 he and Bonet married. 12 months later their daughter Zoe was born. Meanwhile Kravitz and Hirsch remained at work compiling tracks for Let love Rule. The album was complete shortly after Zo’s birth. Kravitz was instantly signed to Virgin Records dropping the “Romeo Blue” moniker thereafter. Let Love Rule, released in the fall of 1989 was derided by critics as overly derivative. However the album’s blend of rock, psychedelia, and soul proved to be a smash hit with the record-buying public. Kravitz embraced the rock and roll lifestyle with a vengeance, and rumors began to circulate that he was having a series of extra marital affairs. Unfortunately the indiscretions proved to be more than Bonet could bear and the couple separated in 1991. The divorce was finalized two years later.Inspired mostly by the breakup of his marriage, his second album, Mama Said, adopted a more introspective tone than its predecessor. Critics though still remained unimpressed though the album, Are You Gonna Go My Way, did Kravitz begin to garner a significant measure of critical acclaim. Released in the spring of 1993, the album present stronger material and more consistent songwriting than his previous workSoon after beginning work on the follow-up to Are You Gonna Go My Way, Kravitz’s mother was diagnosed with terminal ca...
