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Ratt was an American glam metal band from San Diego, California. Formed in 1977 under the name Mickey Ratt, the group originally included lead vocalist and guitarist Stephen Pearcy, lead guitarist Chris Hager, bassist Tim Garcia and drummer Bob Eisenberg. In 1982, Ratt finalised its "classic lineup" of Pearcy, guitarist Warren DeMartini, guitarist Robbin Crosby, bassist Juan Croucier and drummer Bobby Blotzer, that lasted through 1991. The band has been through numerous lineup changes. The band has been on hiatus since 2022, at which point it consisted of Pearcy (who was absent between 2000 and 2007), Juan Croucier (who rejoined in 2012), lead guitarist Jordan Ziff, drummer Pete Holmes (who both joined in 2018), and rhythm guitarist Frankie Lindia (who joined in mid-2021).

History

1977–1983

Ratt originally formed in San Diego, California in 1977 under the name Mickey Ratt. The band originally included lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Stephen Pearcy, lead guitarist Chris Hager, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Garcia, and drummer Bob Eisenberg. After John Turner took over from Eisenberg, the band relocated to Los Angeles in January 1980. Garcia opted to return to San Diego not long after, and was replaced by Dave Jellison a few months later. Paul DeNisco briefly joined as a second guitarist. After a few years of touring, Hager left in 1981 to pursue other projects, with Turner and Jellison following not long after. Pearcy rebuilt the band with the addition of guitarists Jake E. Lee and Bob DeLellis, bassist Matt Thorr and drummer Dave Alford, as well as renaming it M. Ratt and, later, Ratt.

The lineup lasted only a few months, with Alford and Lee quitting after Pearcy fired DeLellis without consulting them. The pair subsequently formed Rough Cutt together. Thorr remained the band's bassist, alongside new additions Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby on guitars, and Khurt Maier on drums. This lineup recorded "Tell the World" for the first edition of the Metal Blade compilation Metal Massacre. Thorr was briefly replaced by Gene Hunter, however by the end of the year the group had finalised its classic lineup of Pearcy, DeMartini, Crosby, bassist Juan Croucier and drummer Bobby Blotzer. Marq Torien briefly joined on guitar in 1982. Joey Cristofanilli temporarily took over from Croucier in 1983, but he returned once he left Dokken later in the year.

1983–2012

Ratt's lineup remained constant throughout the rest of the 1980s, as they released a series of commercially successful albums. In 1991, Crosby was forced to leave the group due to a "debilitating addiction to heroin". He was temporarily replaced by Michael Schenker for a series of tour dates. In early 1992, Pearcy opted to leave Ratt to form the supergroup Arcade. As a result, the group was subsequently disbanded. In 1996, the band reunited with Pearcy, DeMartini and Blotzer joined by bassist Robbie Crane, after plans for a full classic lineup reunion fell through. Keri Kelli joined as a second guitarist in early 1999, in time for a tour starting in May. In January 2000, however, Pearcy suddenly left the band just before the start of a tour. Kelli also left shortly after the vocalist's departure.

Pearcy and Kelli were replaced by former L.A. Guns frontman Jizzy Pearl and former Mötley Crüe frontman John Corabi, respectively. Robert Mason was initially invited to take over on vocals, but he declined. Classic lineup guitarist Crosby died on June 6, 2002, after contracting HIV and overdosing on heroin. Pearl remained the band's vocalist until December 2006, when he left amid rumors of a classic lineup reunion. A few months later, it was confirmed that Pearcy was returning for tour dates throughout 2007. Corabi remained until August 2008, when he was replaced by former Quiet Riot guitarist Carlos Cavazo. After the band released its first studio album in 11 years, Infestation, in 2010, Crane announced in March 2012 that he had left Ratt to focus on Lynch Mob, which he joined in 2010.

2012 onwards

Croucier returned to take Crane's place in May 2012. Blotzer was temporarily replaced for a run of shows in early 2014, as he had yet to recover from neck surgery he underwent the previous October. In April 2014, Pearcy announced that he had left Ratt for a third time, blaming the "constant turmoil" and other controversies surrounding the band. The following September, Blotzer rebranded his new group from Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Experience to simply Ratt, having "taken control" of the brand, with the drummer joined by lead vocalist Joshua Alan, guitarists Michael "Doc" Ellis and Nicolas "Blaze" Baum, and bassist Scotty Griffin. DeMartini later sued Blotzer over the use of the Ratt name, however this was denied by a court ruling. Griffin was replaced by Robbie Crane in February 2016, and both Blaze and Crane left in August. They were replaced initially by Stacey Blades and Todd Kerns, respectively, and later on a more permanent basis by Mitch Perry and Brad Lang. Blades remained as a replacement for Ellis. Alan left the band in January 2017 to pursue other projects. He was replaced by Seann Nicols, although the band performed only one show and has been inactive since March 2017.

In November 2016, Pearcy, DeMartini and Croucier regained ownership of the Ratt name from Blotzer, expelling him from the original partnership and reforming the band with Carlos Cavazo and Jimmy DeGrasso. The band returned to touring, but in March 2018, it was reported that DeMartini had been fired from the band. A few days later, Cavazo confirmed the news and added that he had also left the band. In June, Pearcy and Croucier assured that they would continue with Ratt, and the following month the group returned with new members Jordan Ziff on lead guitar, Chris Sanders on rhythm guitar and Pete Holmes on drums. Sanders was later replaced by former David Lee Roth guitarist Frankie Lindia.

Members

Most recent members

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Stephen Pearcy	1977–1992 1996–2000 2007–2014 2016–2022	lead vocals rhythm guitar (1977–1980, 1996–1997)	all Ratt releases to date
	Juan Croucier	1982–1983 1983–1992 2012–2014 2016–2022	bass backing vocals	all Ratt releases from Ratt (1983) to Collage (1997)
	Pete Holmes	2018–2022	drums percussion	none
	Jordan Ziff		lead guitar backing vocals
	Frankie Lindia	2021–2022	rhythm guitar backing vocals

Former members

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Chris Hager	1977–1981	lead guitar	"Drivin' on E" (1980)
	Tim Garcia	1977–1980 (died 2011)	bass backing vocals
	Bob Eisenberg	1977	drums	none
	John Turner	1977–1981		"Drivin' on E" (1980)
	Dave Jellison	1980–1981	bass backing vocals	none
	Paul DeNisco	1980	rhythm guitar
	Matt Thorr	1981–1982	bass backing vocals	"Tell the World" (1982)
	Jake E. Lee (Jakey Lou Williams)	1981	lead guitar	none
	Bob DeLellis		rhythm guitar
	Dave Alford		drums
	Robbin Crosby	1981–1991 (died 2002)	lead and rhythm guitar backing vocals	all Ratt releases from "Tell the World" (1982) to Collage (1997)
	Warren DeMartini	1981–1982 1982–1992 1996–2014 2016–2018		all Ratt releases from "Tell the World" (1982) to Infestation (2010)
	Khurt Maier	1981–1982	drums	none
	Gene Hunter	1982	bass
	Bobby Blotzer	1982–1992 1996–2014	drums percussion	all Ratt releases from "Tell the World" (1982) to Infestation (2010)
	Marq Torien (Mark Maytorena)	1982	lead and rhythm guitar backing vocals	none
	Joey Cristofanilli	1983	bass backing vocals
	Michael Schenker	1991–1992 (substitute)	lead and rhythm guitar
	Robbie Crane	1996–2012	bass backing vocals	Collage (1997) Ratt (1999) Infestation (2010)
	Keri Kelli (Kenneth Fear Jr.)	1999–2000	rhythm guitar backing vocals	none
	John Corabi	2000–2008
	Jizzy Pearl (James Wilkinson)	2000–2006	lead vocals
	Carlos Cavazo	2008–2014 2016–2018	lead and rhythm guitar backing vocals	Infestation (2010)
	Jimmy DeGrasso	2014 (substitute) 2016–2018	drums	none
	Chris Sanders	2018–2020	rhythm guitar backing vocals	none

Blotzer's Ratt members

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments
	Bobby Blotzer	2015–2017	drums percussion
	Joshua Alan		lead vocals
	Michael "Doc" Ellis	2015–2016	rhythm guitar backing vocals
	Nicholas "Blaze" Baum		lead guitar backing vocals
	Scotty Griffin		bass backing vocals
	Robbie Crane	2016
	Stacey Blades (Bryan MaClachlan)	2016–2017	rhythm guitar backing vocals
	Todd Kerns	2016 (substitute)	bass backing vocals
	Mitch Perry	2016–2017	lead guitar backing vocals
	Brad Lang		bass backing vocals
	Seann Nicols	2017	lead vocals

Timelines

Ratt

Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Experience/Bobby Blotzer's Ratt

Lineups

Bibliography

• Nalbandian, Bob (December 12, 2012), The Headbanger Issue #1, Saitama, Japan: Japanime, ISBN 978-4921205829
• Pearcy, Stephen; Benjamin, Sam (April 15, 2014), Sex, Drugs, Ratt & Roll: My Life in Rock, New York City, New York: Simon & Schuster, ISBN 978-1451694581

References

1. ^ "Original Mickey Ratt Bassist Passes". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. December 24, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
2. ^ Pearcy & Benjamin 2014, pp. 49–50
3. ^ Pearcy & Benjamin 2014, p. 78
4. ^ Pearcy & Benjamin 2014, p. 88
5. ^ Feemster, Scott. "Ratt - Biography". Amoeba Music. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
6. ^ Pearcy & Benjamin 2014, p. 109
7. ^ Pearcy & Benjamin 2014, pp. 110–111
8. ^ "Dave Alford Interview". Sleaze Roxx. August 12, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
9. Ankeny, Jason. "Rough Cutt: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
10. ^ Nalbandian 2012, pp. 10–11
11. Metal Massacre (Media notes). Metal Blade Records. 1982. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
12. ^ Schwinden, Richard L. (June 29, 2018). "Ratt: 1983 - 1991". Patch Media. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
13. ^ Sanford, Jay Allen (March 27, 2012). "Ratt Loses Another Member - Is This Band Even Still "Together"?". San Diego Reader. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
14. ^ "Bulle tRatt? Marq Torien sings for Stephen Pearcy and Bullet Boys pull plug on UK Tour". Metal Sludge. October 25, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
15. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (January 27, 2010). "Ask the 'Creep: Who the Heck Is Joey Cristofanilli?". Noise creep. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
16. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Ratt: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
17. ^ Lalaina, Joe (September 23, 2010). "Ratt: Back For More". Guitar World. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
18. ^ Ling, Dave (July 27, 2006). "Michael Schenker: Appetite For Self-Destruction". Classic Rock. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
19. ^ "Pearcy Exits Ratt To Form New Band" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 16. New York City, New York: BPI Communications, Inc. April 18, 1992. p. 13. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
20. ^ Sanford, Jay Allen (October 23, 2007). "Ratt Doesn't Want You to Read This Blog - Beyond Behind the Music". San Diego Reader. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
21. ^ Yarnell, David (July 11, 2018). "Ratt coming to Little River Casino Resort". Manistee News Advocate. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
22. ^ "Keri Kelli: Rolling with the Punches". Black Velvet. February 23, 2000. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
23. ^ "January 13–19: This Week In..." Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. January 20, 2002. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
24. ^ "Keri Kelli Interview by SickthingsUK". SickthingsUK. April 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
25. "Warrant Frontman Robert Mason Talks Being Asked To Join Ratt Following Stephen Pearcy's Exit - "I Told Them To Go Get Their Singer Back"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. September 10, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
26. Christopher, Michael (June 6, 2017). "The Day Ratt Guitarist Robbin Crosby Died". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
27. ^ "Ratt Reunion In The Works?". Blabbermouth.net. December 4, 2006. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
28. ^ "Ratt 'Reunion' Lineup Confirmed". Blabbermouth.net. April 23, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
29. ^ "It's Official: Carlos Cavazo To Replace John Corabi In Ratt". Blabbermouth.net. August 18, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
30. ^ "Bassist Robbie Crane Quits Ratt". Blabbermouth.net. March 25, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
31. ^ "Bassist Juan Croucier Rejoins Ratt For M3 Rock Festival Performance (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. May 13, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
32. ^ "Bassist Juan Croucier Hopes His Reunion With Ratt 'Will Last Far Into The Future'". Blabbermouth.net. May 17, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
33. ^ "Ratt Drummer Bobby Blotzer To Sit Out Monsters Of Rock Cruise". Blabbermouth.net. March 19, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
34. ^ "Singer Stephen Pearcy Quits Ratt". Blabbermouth.net. April 24, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
35. ^ "Revamped Ratt To Embark On 'Re-Invasion Tour'". Blabbermouth.net. September 23, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
36. "Ratt's Warren DeMartini Sues Bobby Blotzer For Passing Off 'Tribute Band' As Real Thing". Blabbermouth.net. October 2, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
37. "Warren DeMartini Vs. Bobby Blotzer: The Continuing Battle Over Rights To Ratt Name". Blabbermouth.net. November 8, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
38. ^ "Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Parts Ways With Bassist Scotty Griffin". Blabbermouth.net. February 29, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
39. ^ "Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Parts Ways With Guitarist Nicholas 'Blaze' Baum". Blabbermouth.net. August 8, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
40. ^ "Robbie Crane Quits Bobby Blotzer's Ratt". Blabbermouth.net. August 10, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
41. ^ "Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Recruits Slash Bassist Todd Kerns, Ex-L.A. Guns Guitarist Stacey Blades". Blabbermouth.net. August 12, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
42. ^ "Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Adds Guitarist Mitch Perry, Bassist Brad Lang". Blabbermouth.net. August 14, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
43. ^ "Video: New Lineup Of Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Performs In Akron". Blabbermouth.net. September 10, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
44. ^ "Singer Joshua Alan Quits Bobby Blotzer's Ratt". Blabbermouth.net. February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
45. ^ "Former Singer For Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Says Drummer Is 'Full Of S**t'". Blabbermouth.net. August 9, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
46. ^ "Ratt Feat. DeMartini, Pearcy, Croucier To Headline Next Year's M3 Rock Festival". Blabbermouth.net. November 30, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
47. ^ "Guitarist Wanted... Ratt have fired lead guitarist Warren DeMartini say multiple industry sources". Metal Sludge. March 21, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
48. ^ "Back For None... Rumor mill says Ratt have lost yet another guitarist, Carlos Cavazo confirms it's true". Metal Sludge. March 27, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
49. "Ratt's 'New Breed' Is Moving Forward With Stephen Pearcy, Juan Croucier". Blabbermouth.net. June 1, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
50. ^ "Ratt's New Lineup Performs Live For First Time: Video, Photos". Blabbermouth.net. July 8, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
51. ^ Blabbermouth (June 26, 2021). "RATT Recruits DAVID LEE ROTH Guitarist FRANKIE LINDIA". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved February 23, 2023.

External links

• Ratt official website

• Lists of members by band
• Ratt members