Stephen Pearcy Re-Re-Quits Ratt
Stephen Pearcy has left Ratt… again… again. The singer — a founding member of the band — first left the group in 1992… returned in 1996… left again in 2000… and returned again in 2006. Assuming he sticks to that pattern, he should rejoin the band yet again in 2022.
Of course, to hear Pearcy tell it, he’s not coming back:
“After 30 years creating the band Ratt and losing a real brother, Robbin, it’s time that I personally part ways with the band. I am officially done with having anything to do with them due to the constant turmoil, unresolved business, personal attacks/threats in the public forum, and most of all, the disrespect to the fans. I’m very content and proud of the legacy and the music I’ve created. This music will live well beyond any of our lifetimes. I owe no one anything but a huge heartfelt thank you for coming to the party for the last 30 years. With much respect, life goes on and the music I created will continue to be heard for years to come despite the dark clouds that have lingered for far too long. I will personally continue to make music and perform live shows. See you out there.”
Drummer Bobby Blotzer counters:
“To our/my Ratt fans and friends… I will say to you guys, I am sorry that I brought you guys into our personal world and turbulation.
“I’ve been so personally driven to a breaking point with our band being held hostage every year that I’ve kind of been snapping.
“I wish we were still all four together and doing business as great as we have been doing. Especially last year. This is why it’s so nonsensical to me to have this disruption in a business we’ve built for the last 33 years.
“Reality sits at, Stephen and I have gotten along since his return in ’07. Aside from the fact that he basically quits every year. It’s been hard to deal with.
“I feel bad that I might have put a dividing line out here, and for that I’m feeling bad about and I, to a certain level, feel the need to apologize to YOU, guys. My words were true, but the words should have stayed in my mind. And again, I state that I was only kidding about this picture thing with Steve, dumb joke.
“You ever done that? Exactly.
“When this news popped today, my phone was blowing up all day while I was trying to enjoy an afternoon with friends and I just lost it. I was going to come home and tear into that release line by line. I read your thoughts and realized that it’s time to shut the fuck up. As hard as that feels, because we, the four other guys in this band, did nothing to merit this whole behavior from Stephen.
“Thanks for understanding. You guys know I, we love you so much. Ratt is my life and I’ll live and die fighting for the mothership.
“My Facebook is going bye-bye here soon. So, look to see what happens in a short time…
“Ratt is bigger than the sum of the parts!”
I have no idea what Blotzer is talking about when he refers to the “dumb joke” about “this picture thing with Steve.” I tried to figure it out using Google, but, I admit, I gave up pretty quickly, because I decided it doesn’t matter — I don’t really care about a Pearcy-free Ratt. I know Blotzer feels that “Ratt is bigger than the sum of the parts,” and maybe for hardcore Ratt fans like Vince, that’s true (I dunno, I’ll hafta ask him), but for more casual fans like myself… yeah. Whatever.
ANYWAY, like I said. Look for Pearcy to be back in the band cicrca 2022. Round and round, indeed.
[via Metal Insider]
