Sex, Drugs, Ratt & Roll

My Life in Rock

By: Stephen Pearcy, Sam Benjamin

Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

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

Great story not so great narration.

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

Good but not complete

Excellent retelling of the heady days of the Sunset Strip. I learned about a band I never really liked all that much but SP did a great job of telling the story. I was disappointed that he didn’t dive deeper into Crosby’s downfall and eventual death. It’s a shame.it would have really rounded out the story.

Fun to listen to whether you’re a Ratt fan or not!

As a San Diego native I’ve known about Ratt and that they originated from here but this really was interesting and fun. Obviously there are some sad and dark things too but whether or not you’re a fan of Ratt, it’s worth it. I hope I get to see Stephen Pearcy on stage once before it’s too late! And I appreciate Stephens honesty, I can relate to some of what he sent through. I still enjoy listening to Ratt and think that some of the members of Guns n Roses aren’t so cool after all from his stories…

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.

The honesty. Nothing held back. Which might not be for everyone.

Over the top. Addiction has a front seat at the party. An amazing story of survival, well written, good narrator.