In a recent interview with Katie Daryl of AXS TV, Stephen Pearcy, the renowned vocalist of RATT, took a nostalgic trip back to the early 1980s when a new musical phenomenon was taking shape on the famous Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. This burgeoning genre, known as glam metal, would soon conquer the city’s clubs and dominate music charts across America.
Reflecting on that transformative era, Stephen expressed:
“First, blame it on Van Halen, who I met in ’78. Because in 1978, I had the opportunity to meet ’em and become friends and blah blah blah, and I watched what went down. And I was more than prepared to go to L.A. in 1980 and take over.
”And Robbin (Crosby) and I, along with Nikki (Sixx) and Tommy (Lee), and Vince (Neil) we had a street gang called The Gladiators.
Surprisingly, some of these bands started under different names before evolving into the iconic groups they are known as today. Stephen mentioned, “And believe it or not, it was ROXX REGIME, who is now STRYPER; it was DANTE FOX, who is now GREAT WHITE; it was W.A.S.P., QUIET RIOT, MÖTLEY, RATT.” These bands, along with a few others, were the driving force behind the genre’s early success, setting the stage for glam metal’s lasting impact on the music scene.
Stephen Pearcy’s recollections shed light on the pivotal role played by a handful of visionary bands during the emergence of glam metal. Their influence on the Sunset Strip and the broader Los Angeles music community was instrumental in shaping the genre’s trajectory, leaving an indelible mark on the history of rock and roll.