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RATT: The RISE & FALL Of the Band Behind ‘Round And Round’, Death of Robbin Crosby

Rock N' Roll True Stories | February 8, 2026



RATT: Whatever Happened to the Band Behind Hits Like ‘Round & Round’?

0:00 – Introduction/Mickey Rat
1:55.- RATT Early Days/Lineup Changes
4:24 – First Record Deal/RATT EP
5:35 – Atlantic Records Years
9:11 – Commercial Decline/Issues
11:15 – Reunions/Robbin Crosby Death

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Ratt, a prominent ’80s rock band, emerged during the hair band era and experienced both highs and lows. Originating in San Diego, frontman Stephen Pearcy’s car accident led him to form Mickey Ratt, later renamed Ratt, in collaboration with guitarist Robbin Crosby. The band moved to Los Angeles, becoming part of the Sunset Strip scene, and faced lineup changes, including guitarist Jake E Lee’s brief stint. With perseverance and the addition of guitarist Warren DeMartini, they found success with their EP “Ratt N’ Roll” and secured a deal with Atlantic Records in 1983.

Their debut album, “Out of the Cellar,” released in 1984, skyrocketed with the hit single “Round and Round,” leading to widespread popularity and extensive touring. The band’s lifestyle became increasingly extravagant, marked by wild parties and a notorious tour bus called the “Rolling Hilton.” Ratt’s success continued with the double-platinum album “Invasion of Your Privacy” in 1985, featuring hits like “Lay It Down” and “You’re in Love.”

Despite the achievements, internal tensions surfaced during the recording of “Dancing Undercover” in 1986, exacerbated by substance abuse and personal conflicts. The following years witnessed Ratt’s commercial decline as new bands like Guns N’ Roses emerged. The band faced challenges recording “Reach for the Sky” due to issues with producer Mike Stone but managed to achieve platinum status.

By the early ’90s, internal strife, coupled with changing music trends and the onset of grunge, led to Ratt’s diminished popularity. Crosby’s struggles with addiction became apparent, and the band faced a decline in album sales and audience attendance. The departure of Stephen Pearcy in 1992 marked a significant blow to the band.

Subsequent years saw various lineup changes, a brief reunion in 1996, and Crosby’s tragic death in 2002 due to a drug overdose. Ratt endured legal battles and continued with different lineups, releasing the album “Infestation” in 2010. Ongoing conflicts within the band, including legal disputes and lineup changes, persisted. Despite Pearcy’s desire for a reunion with surviving original members, uncertainties surrounded the possibility of another album. Ratt’s journey remains a rollercoaster of triumphs, challenges, and the enduring spirit of an ’80s rock legacy.

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Written by Rock N' Roll True Stories

Comments

This post currently has 48 comments.

  3. @RackhirTheRed

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    As good as the other guy's in the band were, Crosby and Pearcy wrote the songs people wanted to hear. As soon as that tight knit collaboration fell apart, for whatever reasons it did, the end came at them like a freight train.
    Such a shame.

  5. @hsatin20

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Interesting band. They are early enough in the "hair metal" era that, to me, they sound more Maiden than hair. I consider their sound straighter metal rather than hair, even though they were probably one of the bands that created the look of hair metal bands. But they also have a harder edge.

  11. @lamentate07

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Ratt's problem might have been that they became too big too quickly, which placed considerable pressure on their shoulders and they likely had their label, management etc, breathing down their necks. They were selling more albums than even Crue in 84. That's how big they were. 3 million copies was a huge achievement for a metal debut. The only debut that topped it in the 80's was Appetite for Destruction, which was a whole different animal. Poison's Look What the Cat Dragged In eventually went 3x platinum, but it took longer to get there than Out of the Cellar.

    The other issue is that when they tried to go more commercial, the songs just weren't there. They were better at writing big riff driven metal than purely chorus centered stuff.

  19. @MAC8WOOD

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    They're a b*******I'm making it live on.And people hate that I'm doing it.I don't give a d***This is rock and roll baby.This is Detroit and tell Jean Simmons.I will kick his ass

  20. @aplan4u328

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Theres a difference of being a Rock Star and a Musician. This group was a bunch of posers that fell in love with the lifestyle and let it consume them. Vs like a LZ or AC/DC that even though they are old men, they can still write music and perform.

  21. @EMDrecs1

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Immediately after grunge killed Hair metal, all the hair guitarists started playing acoustics guitars. Itโ€™s like, โ€œhey, grunge killed us, so letโ€™s just be boring nowโ€

  31. @rjc7289

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Why does nobody talk about the proverbial 800-pound gorilla in the room, and that is the glaring fact that Stephen can't sing anymore? Not that he was much of a singer then, but he can't hit the high notes and makes no effort to be in key either! He's just phoning it in and could care less, and it doesn't do the Ratt catalog any justice. Granted, the rest of the band sounds tight, but then Stephen layers his live vocals on top of it, and it becomes one giant cringe-fest.

  33. @TroofShoDuzHurt

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Doesnโ€™t everyone know that Bobbi Blotzer is the most important person in any band ever? Even once he was never in? Just ask him heโ€™s very important.

    Thatโ€™s like saying Steohen pearcy was ever ever ever a good singer

  35. @thedigitalhumanage1404

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    There is not a medical term called "nerve plaque". The term "nerve plaque" isn't recognized in standard medical terminology. However, it appears in certain online contexts, particularly in promotional materials for alternative health products. For instance, the website you referencedโ€”Radiant Journey Newsโ€”uses this term in marketing content, but it doesn't correspond to any established medical condition.

    In legitimate medical literature, "plaque" can refer to:

    Amyloid plaques: Protein aggregates found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. News-Medical

    Multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques: Areas of demyelination in the central nervous system associated with MS.

    These are specific, well-defined phenomena and are not typically referred to as "nerve plaques."

    The use of "nerve plaque" in this context MAYBE FALSE OR MISLEADING. "Nerve Plaque" is a Non-Medical Term, created for marketing purposes. It's important to approach such sources with caution and consult healthcare professionals for accurate medical information.

  36. @ELJEFE210

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Rise and Fall!!! WHAT!! If you havenโ€™t heard RATT lately your missing out. Pearcy and the gang tore it up in SATX some months ago. RATT N ROLL!!!

  38. @jefflyon2020

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Warren demartini was and is a serious guitar player and a hellova nice guy, Bobby was also a bad ass bud a total dick. Itโ€™s funny is in the videos Warren looks like a dick with a sneer and primped hair, but thatโ€™s just how it went. Round and round.

  45. @RBC1984

    February 8, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Tucson az…maybe 1984/85…best show ever in the TCC basement area. RATT….Mamas boys…Fastway(they stunk!!) But MB and RATT were incredible. Great memory

Comments are closed.

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