RATT: From Living in a GARAGE to MILLIONAIRES in 365 Days

The story about the rise of the hair metal band RATT who broke out with their song 'Round and Round'

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Discover the incredible story of RATT's meteoric rise from garage band to MTV royalty. In the mid-70s, after a near-fatal bike accident, Stephen Pearcy founded Mickey Ratt, inspired by an anti-Mickey Mouse comic character. Along with imposing guitarist Robbin Crosby, the band relocated from San Diego to Los Angeles, living and rehearsing in a friend's garage.

The band, eventually shortened to RATT, underwent several lineup changes before solidifying with Warren DeMartini (replacing Jake E. Lee), Bobby Blotzer on drums, and Juan Croucier on bass. Despite sharing stages with emerging acts like Metallica and becoming a popular draw in LA's club scene, major labels initially passed them by.

Everything changed when manager Marshall Berle discovered them at the Whisky a Go Go. Their independently released EP "Ratt N' Roll" sold an impressive 60,000 copies without major label support. This success led to a pivotal showcase at the Beverly Theater, where Atlantic Records president Doug Morris signed them on the spot.

Their 1984 debut album "Out of the Cellar" featured the breakthrough hit "Round and Round," with a memorable music video starring comedy legend Milton Berle (their manager's uncle). The album cover featured Tawny Kitaen, Crosby's girlfriend at the time, who famously endured live rats being thrown at her during the photoshoot.

The band's success was astronomical. Within one year, they went from making $50 per gig to having over a million dollars each in their bank accounts. Their tour bus, dubbed the "Rolling Hilton," became notorious for their excessive partying - so much so that it had to be fumigated.

"Out of the Cellar" reached #7 on the Billboard 200 and achieved triple platinum status. "Round and Round" peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, establishing RATT as one of the leading bands of the hair metal era. The band toured with rock giants like Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, and Billy Squier, while achieving Beatles-like fame in Japan.

1984 - coincidentally the Chinese Year of the Rat - proved to be RATT's defining moment, transforming them from "street urchins" to millionaire rock stars. Their legacy continues today, with "Round and Round" finding new audiences through appearances in TV shows like Cobra Kai, Stranger Things, and a viral GEICO commercial.