Five Records That Changed My Life, Part 24: Stephen Pearcy
American vocalist Stephen Pearcy is the founder, led singer and songwriter of Ratt. He is still actively touring with the band as well as doing work as a solo artist. Ratt, formed as Mickey Ratt in San Diego, California in 1977, relocated to Los Angeles in 1980 and was at the forefront of the early 1980s glam metal scene in LA. Stephen published his autobiography “Sex, Drugs, Ratt & Roll: My Life in Rock” in 2013. Roppongi Rocks’ Stefan Nilsson asked Stephen about the records that changed his life.
Black Sabbath “Black Sabbath” (1970)
“I heard Black Sabbath at 14 years old. It absolutely blew my mind!”
Led Zeppelin “Houses of the Holy” (1973)
Van Halen “Van Halen” (1978)
“Van Halen was the reason that I moved to LA to pursue my dreams. Actually, I had been going to Van Halen shows and befriended Ed Van Halen prior to the record release but Van Halen was THE reason I moved my San Diego band to LA.”
Judas Priest “Sin After Sin” (1977)
“Robbin Crosby introduced me to Judas Priest. I was into Led Zeppelin and Blue Öyster Cult. He had me listen to Judas Priest one day and it totally blew me away.”
Adam Ant “Friend or Foe” (1982)
“I was a rocker. My band Mickey Ratt would play a lot of Blue Öyster Cult B-sides like ‘Dominance and Submission’ from ‘Career of Evil’. One day someone turned me onto Adam Ant and I fell in love with the drums! Then when I saw his look…I was sold! Ultimately, my early 80s look is based on Adam Ant’s style.”
