Sex, Drugs, Ratt & Roll

My Life in Rock

By: Stephen Pearcy, Sam Benjamin

Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Stephen Pearcy was a scrawny, horny, thrill-seeking teenager with an electric guitar who had graduated from backyard parties in San Diego to half-empty dives in Los Angeles before he and his band broke through at Whiskey a Go Go. 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 Pearcy and his "pussy pirates" became. There was nothing these guys wouldn't snort, drink, bed, or break. And the fans were just as bad, as husbands and mothers offered up nubile wives and daughters as tribute to their rock 'n' roll idols. On a journey that could happen only in America, Pearcy met everyone from Michael Jackson to Drew Barrymore (at age 12, at a New York nightclub, at two a.m.) to Rodney Dangerfield. His infamous partner in crime, Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby, a blond Viking with an unsurpassed appetite for drugs and women, cuts a towering and tragic figure throughout.

As Ratt scrambled up a wall of fame and wealth, so they experienced the gut-wrenching free fall after too many hours in buses, planes, and limos; too many women; too many drugs; and all the personality clashes and ego trips that marked the beginning of the end.

©2013 Stephen Pearcy (P)2018 Tantor

Dogmatic Determination and Opportunity Meets Preparation

The book is easy to listen to, entertaining and well written. Stephen was clear as to what he wanted to do and the path to get there. The era of the 80’s was perfect timing. And, the talent, look, place and time was synchronized. One thing that really struck me in this book was that it communicated that while enjoying the stardom and perks, he also knew that it was fleeting and thus, sucked the marrow out of life. This book is realistic as to the hard work, foresight, calculation and talent that it takes to make it happen. While also offering a fine entree of well earned debauchery. I remember hearing Round and Round for the first time in 1984, on KLOS it was hooky and addictive. I switched the station to KNAC who was also playing it. It was clear to me early on, they were a great band. Thanks for being part of the soundtrack of my life. And, thanks for sharing the memoir of yours.

Great story not so great narration.

Great story but I feel like Wally Cleaver is reading to me a bed time story

Very Entertaining!

This book is one of my favourites of the 700 titles I have in my library. The book is very well written and narrated. The stories are very humorous and sometimes make me laugh out loud.

I don't know why people glamorise stories about drugs when their friends end up dead and they end up in rehab. However, this seems to be the common theme in music biographies.

Great book

Very entertaining. It brought back memories of my childhood when everyone was into hair bands.

I enjoy it more when the author narrates.

I would have enjoyed this audiobook more,
if Stephen Pearcy had narrated the book himself.

Steven delivered.

Exactly what I wanted to hear about the music & one of my favorite bands I grew up with. Honest & real with no sugar coating. Cheers-Steven....I will always be Ratt n Rollin!

Wow, Just Wow!

If half of these stories are true then the wind was his friend and just took him over the top and in the gutter.
I expected somewhat of a story of redemption but no, we double down on being a self absorbed prick but hey in the rock and roll world of the early eighties I guess that is what it took because most of those bands did it that way.
I would have liked some more detail in some of the stories and would have liked a more extensive ending but I guess Steve is a prick in all that he does and just ended it.
Sad to say it has caught up to him but hell, what a ride.

Entertaining

Stephen Pearcy doesn't read this -- which I don't actually mind; I mean, not everyone is an actor/great reader, so it's okay to leave it to a professional -- but Stephen Thorne does a good job and he does sound like someone from the same era and region. It works. The story itself is pretty shallow, but hey... that's Ratt and that's the 80s. There are some gross stories (mainly involving Ozzy, of course, but also some stuff about STD's). I was entertained and it was a fun trip back down memory lane.

Great book

Totally kept my interest the entire time, Stephen Piercy is a real piece of trash, he’s taken and done more harm to society than he’s given but in the end he’s provided us with entertainment.

Great stories, great narration

loved it, highly recommend
great from start to finish, Stephen tells all the stories of Ratt and roll