The comeback buzz began building last spring when VH1 aired an episode of Behind The Music spotlighting the drama that swirled around Ratt’s remarkable run of four consecutive platinum albums. The return of “Ratt ’n’ Roll†– the band’s motto – became a reality earlier this year when founding members – vocalist Stephen Pearcy, guitarist Warren DeMartini and drummer Bobby Blotzer – launched a summer tour, their first together in eight years. Joined onstage by bassist Robbie Crane and guitarist John Corabi, Ratt’s tour dates will extend into the fall and may also include shows in Canada, Europe, Japan, South America and Australia.
The tour is only the first step. The group will also release two compilations on July 31 through Rhino Records. TELL THE WORLD: THE VERY BEST OF RATT is a career-spanning CD that includes standout songs from all seven of the band’s studio albums as well as unreleased material. RATT: VIDEOS FROM THE CELLAR: THE ATLANTIC YEARS is the group’s first DVD release and combines both of Ratt’s previously released video collections along with several bonus features.
To celebrate the band’s return to the road, Ratt has given the green light to a “Back For More†top fuel dragster. The “Ratt†logo will be emblazoned on the Clay Millican-driven Evan Knoll dragster throughout the 2007 NHRA season.
Prior to selling more than 16 million albums worldwide and establishing itself as one of the most popular groups of the 1980s, Ratt perfected its trademark mix of guitar heroics, anthemic hooks and hedonistic attitude playing the clubs along Los Angeles’ famed Sunset Strip. The band signed with Atlantic Records, releasing its debut in 1984. Out Of The Cellar sold more than three million copies and rocketed into Billboard’s Top Ten on the strength of its first single, “Round And Round.†Peaking at #12 on Billboard’s Singles chart, the track was the first in a long line of hit songs and videos that made Ratt a fixture on the radio and MTV as well as a major live act playing to sold-out crowds across the nation.
Ratt’s uninterrupted streak of platinum records continued a year later with Invasion Of Your Privacy, its second Top 10 album, followed by 1986’s Dancing Undercover and 1988’s Reach For The Sky. After scoring nine Top 40 Album Rock tracks and two Top 40 hits in the ’80s, the band started a new decade with the 1990 release of Detonator, the band’s fifth album and a certified-gold hit.
“With the tour and the new CD and DVD from Rhino, 2007 is shaping up to be the year of the Ratt,†Pearcy says. “We’re back together and out on the road, which is exactly where we want to be. It’s been a real thrill getting back to making music and reconnecting with our loyal fans.â€