Ep491 - Stephen Pearcy | Sex, Drugs, RATT and Roll: My Life in Rock
Oct 18, 2024
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Stephen Pearcy, the lead singer of RATT and author of "Sex, Drugs, RATT and Roll: My Life in Rock," dives into his wild journey through the heavy metal scene. He shares hilarious anecdotes about the vibrant Sunset Strip nightlife and his surprising collaborations, like working with Milton Berle. Pearcy discusses the balance of creativity and chaos in the band’s life, the dual edges of fame and substance use, and reflects on the unique fashion and masculinity of the 80s metal era. His story is an honest exploration of survival and nostalgia in rock ’n’ roll.
Stephen Pearcy reflects on RATT's meteoric rise in the 1980s heavy metal scene, fueled by ambition and a lifestyle of excess.
In writing his memoir, Pearcy confronts his past, revealing personal growth and a deeper understanding of life beyond rock stardom.
Deep dives
The Rise of Rat and Its Cultural Impact
Stephen Percy shares how his band, Rat, arose during the peak of the heavy metal scene in the 1980s, quickly becoming one of the defining bands of that era. Their hit single 'Round and Round' dominated the charts and encapsulated the rock and roll lifestyle, characterized by sex, drugs, and exuberance. Percy reflects on the band's rapid rise to fame, noting that their success brought about extravagant lifestyles filled with excesses that included partying and drug use. This cultural embeddedness contributed to the band's legacy as a significant part of the heavy metal movement, where their visual style and musical impact resonated with fans worldwide.
Writing the Memoir: A Journey Through Memories
Percy discusses the process of writing his memoir, 'Sex, Drugs, Rat and Roll,' revealing that it was motivated by the desire to recount his life experiences and confront his past. He humorously confronts his memory gaps from the 1980s, admitting that he frequently consulted friends and old acquaintances to fill in the blanks of those hazy years. The process highlighted many surprising revelations, shedding light on his personal evolution. As he revisited past friendships and significant moments, the memoir became not just a recount of his rock star exploits but also a quest for deeper understanding of himself and what truly matters in life.
The Sunset Strip: A Hub of Rock and Roll
The Sunset Strip served as a crucial backdrop to Percy and Rat's formative years, where they rubbed shoulders with other legendary bands such as Van Halen. Percy paints a vivid picture of the vibrant atmosphere of the Strip during the 1980s, where they performed in clubs and celebrated their burgeoning success. He recounts experiences like meeting David Lee Roth and the thrill of witnessing other bands perform, emphasizing the competitive yet inspiring environment that pushed them to excel. The camaraderie on the Strip fueled their ambitions, and although they encountered difficulties, these experiences shaped their identity and the music scene of that time.
Reflections on Excess and Growth
As Percy reflects on the excessive lifestyle that accompanied their rise to fame, he acknowledges the dark side of such a lifestyle, particularly regarding substance abuse. He candidly addresses how this excess led to problems within the band, including the tragic loss of members due to drugs. Despite these painful realities, Percy emphasizes the importance of growth and evolution, both personally and musically, as they move forward. Today, he advocates moderation and acknowledges the necessity of maintaining health and relationships over the rapid lifestyle that once consumed him, illustrating a profound journey towards maturity and stability.
Stephen Pearcy, lead singer and frontman of the rock band RATT, visits Google to discuss his book "Sex, Drugs, RATT and Roll: My Life in Rock."
Women. Spandex. Drugs. Hair spray.
Welcome to heavy metal rock ’n’ roll, circa 1980, when all you needed was the right look, burning ambition, and a chance. Cranking out metal just as metal got hot, RATT was the perfect band at the perfect time, and their hit single “Round and Round” became a top-selling anthem. The bigger RATT got, the more excessive lead singer Stephen Pearcy and his bandmates became. There was nothing these guys wouldn’t snort, drink, bed, or break. But as RATT scrambled up a wall of fame and wealth, they then experienced a gut-wrenching free fall. Pearcy’s stunningly honest rock ’n’ roll confessional, by turns incredible, hilarious, and lyrical, is more than a story of survival—it’s a search for the things that matter most.