Ratt
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Ratt is a U.S. Los Angeles hair metal and hard rock band that enjoyed significant commercial success in the 1980s.
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Music
Although Ratt's music was initially influenced by 1970s popular metal bands such as Sweet, and Van Halen, the band would eventually incorporate blues-rock influences along the lines of Aerosmith. Ratt also initially adopted a glam rock image similar to 1970s bands such as Alice Cooper, New York Dolls, and Kiss.
History
The origins of Ratt go back to 1978 with a San Diego band called Mickey Ratt, which was formed by founding member vocalist Stephen Pearcy. Guitarist Chris Hagar, bassist Matt Thorr, and drummer John Turner, completed the four-piece line-up. Guitarist Jake E. Lee briefly joined in 1980.
In 1980, Mickey Ratt recorded a single called "Dr. Rock / Drivin' on E", which was given to fans at early Los Angeles club shows.
By early 1982, the band's name was shortened to "Ratt". In 1982, Ratt also included the song "Tell the World" on the first Metal Massacre album, which is also known as the first album to have a Metallica song ("Hit the Lights"). After this album release, Jake E. Lee, Chris Hagar, and Matt Thorr all left Ratt to join another band called Rough Cutt. Jake E. Lee was with Mickey Ratt for about a year before joining Ozzy Osbourne's band in October 1982. The three members would be replaced by bassist Juan Croucier (who in 1982 left the band Dokken) and guitarists Robbin Crosby and Warren DeMartini.
By late 1982, the classic Ratt line-up of Stephen Pearcy (vocals), Robbin Crosby (guitar), Warren DeMartini (lead guitar), Juan Croucier (bass guitar), and Bobby Blotzer (drums) was complete.
After releasing their 1983 debut Ratt EP, the band signed to Atlantic Records. Its first 1984 major international album release, Out of the Cellar, was a success, selling three millions copies. The first single, "Round and Round", also reached no 12 in the U.S. top 40. Ratt's next 1985 album, Invasion of Your Privacy didn't sell quite as well but still went platinum. Ratt's subsequent three albums, Dancing Undercover (1986), Reach for the Sky (1988), and Detonator (1990) all sold sufficiently well to achieve platinum sales status.
In 1990, Robin Crosby left the band. Guitarist Michael Schenker subsequently played for a short time with the band. In 1991, Ratt became a four piece with the release of "Nobody Rides For Free", which appeared on the Point Break soundtrack album.
After releasing a compilation album Ratt & Roll 81-91, Ratt finally disbanded in late 1991. By 1992, grunge music became popular and hair metal bands like Ratt were no longer in vogue. Pearcy left to form a new band, Arcade, before moving on to another new band, Vertex. DeMartini issued a solo album while the band waited for metal to be popular again.
In 1997, Ratt re-formed as a four piece with Pearcy, Demartini, Blotzer, and Robbie Crane (ex- Vince Neil) on bass guitar. The band issued a compilation album called Collage, which consisted of B-sides, alternate recordings, and new versions of songs from the Mickey Ratt period. In 1999, Ratt secured a worldwide record deal with Sony. The 1999 self-titled Ratt album featured new material with a more conventional rock/blues feel.
In 2000, Pearcy left the group again, forming two more bands: Vicious Delite and Nitronic, as well as a record label, Top Fuel Records, which released some archived Ratt material and Pearcy solo work.
Ratt replaced Pearcy with vocalist Jizzy Pearl. A second guitarist, John Corabi (ex-Mötley Crüe) was also added to complete the 5-piece line-up, which is still touring as of April 2005.
In 2001, guitarist Robbin Crosby announced that he suffered from AIDS. He died in 2002.
Album Discography
- Ratt EP, 1982
- Out Of The Cellar, 1983
- Invasion Of Your Privacy, 1985
- Dancing Undercover, 1986
- Reach For The Sky, 1988
- Detonator, 1990
- Ratt 81-91, 1991
- Collage, 1997
- Ratt, 1999
Influences
Links
- The Official Ratt home Page (http://www.therattpack.com/)
- Ratt World (http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/9297/)
Other uses
RATT is also an acronym for radio teletype.fi:Ratt sv:Ratt (band)