RATT was one of the most comercially successful Bands to come out of the Los Angeles "Sunset Strip" music scene. Along with Motley Crue, RATT had more than one album get certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum. What many people do not know is that the origins of RATT actually go back as far as 1976. Founding Member, Stephen Pearcy (Lead Vocals) created the band "Mickey Ratt." in San Diego, California. Mickey Ratt went through numerous lineup changes including famous guitarist Jake E. Lee, widely known for his playing time in OZZY.
Between 1981-1982, the original members of MICKEY RATT left to form another band, so Pearcy shortened the name to RATT. During this time, Robin Crosby and Warren DeMartini (only 18 when joining) teamed up with Pearcy to expand RATT and the band moved to Los Angeles. DeMartini and Crosby combined the dual guitar sound of Judas Priest elements with elements from other popular bands Aerosmith and Van Halen. In 1984, RATT released "Out of the Cellar" to the tune of mainstream attraction. The hit "Round and Round" peaked at Number 12 on the Hot 100 and went on to become their most famous song. During 1984, RATT toured with such acts as Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister and Lita Ford.
In 1985, RATT released their sophomore album Invasion of your Privacy. Invasion of Your Privacy peaked at Number 7 on the Billboard 200 and met mostly positive reviews. The album included pop metal hits "Your In Love"and "Lay it Down."
Between 1981-1982, the original members of MICKEY RATT left to form another band, so Pearcy shortened the name to RATT. During this time, Robin Crosby and Warren DeMartini (only 18 when joining) teamed up with Pearcy to expand RATT and the band moved to Los Angeles. DeMartini and Crosby combined the dual guitar sound of Judas Priest elements with elements from other popular bands Aerosmith and Van Halen. In 1984, RATT released "Out of the Cellar" to the tune of mainstream attraction. The hit "Round and Round" peaked at Number 12 on the Hot 100 and went on to become their most famous song. During 1984, RATT toured with such acts as Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister and Lita Ford.
In 1985, RATT released their sophomore album Invasion of your Privacy. Invasion of Your Privacy peaked at Number 7 on the Billboard 200 and met mostly positive reviews. The album included pop metal hits "Your In Love"and "Lay it Down."
***Did you know that the model on the cover of Invasion is actually playboy model Marianne Gravatte. Many other Glam Metal Bands of the 80's followed suit by displaying females on their front album covers to gain attention such as Great White, Slaughter, and Poison. Did you also know that Steven Pearcy also posed for Playgirl?? Interesting.
After touring extensively in the United States and Japan with Ozzy, Bon Jovi, and Iron Maiden, RATT performed at the Monsters of Rock Tour at Donnington with ZZ Top, Bon Jovi, Metallica, and Magnum. At this time, to try and keep up with the changing sounds of Metal, RATT released their third album "Dancing Undercover" in 1986. This album did not feature any power ballads and displayed a more thrash and heavy sound than their previous material. Of course, this did not sit well with many hard core RATT fans. However, RATT realized that bands such as Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer were getting the attention of the day. However, this experiment was short-lived as RATT went back to a more blusey sound on their follow up material. RATT then released Reach For the Sky and Detonator.
At this point, Robin Crosby was fighting addiction and his substance abuse evolved into epic proportions. Actually, during a show in Japan, Crosby failed to switch out a guitar and failed to play in tune on the final two songs of the show. His addiction had overtaken him and his playing was suffering as a result. This would be Crosby's last show with RATT. When the band returned to the United States, Crosby checked into a rehab. RATT recruited former Scorpions guitarist Michael Schenker to take Crosby's place in the band.
From 1992-1996, the band disbanded and its members worked on their own solo projects. The Band reunited a few times and even released a self titled album "RATT" in 1996 with Steven Pearcy on vocals, Warren DeMartini (guitar), Robbie Crane on Bass and Blotzer on Drums. The Band ha tried to get Crosby to reunite with the band; however his health took a turn for the worse. Then in 2001, Robin Crosby announced to the world that he was HIV Positive. On June 6th, 2002, Crosby died of a heroin overdose at 42 years old.
After much turmoil, RATT reunited to release their latest album "Infestation", which revisited the sound of their first two albums. The album enjoyed some commercial success but never to the level of their early days. In January, 2013, RATT announced that they are working on a new Studio Album with no time table set as yet. Their current lineup consists of Steven Pearcy (Vocals), Warren DeMartini (Guitar), Bobby Blotzer (Drums), Juan Croucier (Bass), and Carlos Cavazo (Guitar).
At this point, Robin Crosby was fighting addiction and his substance abuse evolved into epic proportions. Actually, during a show in Japan, Crosby failed to switch out a guitar and failed to play in tune on the final two songs of the show. His addiction had overtaken him and his playing was suffering as a result. This would be Crosby's last show with RATT. When the band returned to the United States, Crosby checked into a rehab. RATT recruited former Scorpions guitarist Michael Schenker to take Crosby's place in the band.
From 1992-1996, the band disbanded and its members worked on their own solo projects. The Band reunited a few times and even released a self titled album "RATT" in 1996 with Steven Pearcy on vocals, Warren DeMartini (guitar), Robbie Crane on Bass and Blotzer on Drums. The Band ha tried to get Crosby to reunite with the band; however his health took a turn for the worse. Then in 2001, Robin Crosby announced to the world that he was HIV Positive. On June 6th, 2002, Crosby died of a heroin overdose at 42 years old.
After much turmoil, RATT reunited to release their latest album "Infestation", which revisited the sound of their first two albums. The album enjoyed some commercial success but never to the level of their early days. In January, 2013, RATT announced that they are working on a new Studio Album with no time table set as yet. Their current lineup consists of Steven Pearcy (Vocals), Warren DeMartini (Guitar), Bobby Blotzer (Drums), Juan Croucier (Bass), and Carlos Cavazo (Guitar).
***UPDATE: Steven Pearcy of RATT will be performing at the Starland Ballroom on May 17th along with Twisted Sister and KillCode. http://pages.lv.enewsaxs.com/Share.aspx?i=d498d263034fde340059ecf1303f49ba50ec1adbd410c20402c4e2308c41220f. Check out this link to Purchase TIX!!!!! I LEAVE YOU WITH RATT's AWESOME VIDEO for "ROUND AND ROUND"....THROWBACK THURSDAY FOLKS. Reminder...Saloon Rock Show tonight on http://phillyrockradio w Johnny E and Kevin L. Until next time ROCK ON MATES.
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