Bobby Blotzer
| Bobby Blotzer | |
|---|---|
 Bobby Blotzer Performing in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert John Blotzer |
| Also known as | Bobby |
| Born | October 22, 1958 |
| Origin | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US |
| Genres | Glam metal, hard rock, blues rock, heavy metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, drummer |
| Instruments | Drums, percussion, maracas |
| Associated acts | Ratt, Vic Vergeat, Geoff Tate, Twenty 4 Seven, Dokken, Saints of the Underground, Angel City Outlaws |
| Website |
www |
Robert John "Bobby" Blotzer (born October 22, 1958 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American musician best known for playing drums for glam metal band Ratt. He attended Torrance High School in Torrance California along with his Ratt bandmate Juan Croucier.
Ratt
Blotzer began his career playing with Don Dokken along with Juan Croucier. Blotzer and Croucier left Dokken in 1978 to form FireFoxx along with Ron Abrams on guitar.[1]
Blotzer became Ratt's drummer in 1982 after he was recruited by Ratt vocalist Stephen Pearcy in place of Khurt Maier (Max Havoc, Salty Dog). Blotzer, along with bassist Tom Croucier, older brother of Juan Croucier, had previously played with noted Italian/Swiss guitarist Vic Vergeat, including a tour of the U.S. behind Vergeat's 1981 solo album Down to the Bone. Ratt had five consecutive platinum albums during the 1980s.
At the beginning of the 1990s Ratt's popularity waned, and the band called it quits in 1992. Blotzer started a more normal life outside the public eye. Five years later Ratt reformed and toured once again. In 2000 Stephen Pearcy apparently quit the group, and shortly thereafter Bobby had exhibited an extreme dislike for Pearcy, who had sued the band for continuing under the "Ratt" name and claimed the band ruined their worldwide deal with Sony. Blotzer heavily denied the claims and said they were a bunch of "pathologic lies", adding that Pearcy was a "sick person".[2] Blotzer and Ratt guitarist Warren DeMartini subsequently won the court case to use the "Ratt" name.
In 2002 former Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby died of AIDS-related complications,[3][4] and heroin overdose,[5][6] which marked one of the most painful parts of Blotzer's life. Blotzer posted a message to his late bandmate affectionately referred to as "The King" by fans on the group's official web site and called Crosby "one of the most kind hearted, the most compassionate, intelligent, talented" people he had ever known. In 2007 Stephen Pearcy reunited with the group, thus putting an end to the tensions between the two. In 2009 Metal Sludge reported that he was arrested and booked on charges of domestic violence.[7]
In 2010 Blotzer released an auto-biographical book called Tales of A Ratt – Things You Shouldn't Know.
On September 2, 2012 it was announced Bobby would be joining Geoff Tate's lineup formed after his dismissal from Queensrÿche,[8] but he left on January 25, 2013 to return playing with Ratt.[9] On April 24, 2014, Stephen Pearcy announced he had left the band again.[10][11] After this, Ratt went on hiatus.
In March 2015, Blotzer guested with Las Vegas band Sin City Sinners. Blotzer asked Sinners' singer Joshua Alan, guitarist Michael "Doc" Ellis, and bassist Scott Griffin to join him in forming a new version of RATT. They toured under the name "Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Experience," performing Ratt songs.
In September 2015, Blotzer announced that he had taken control of the Ratt brand and would take his band on tour in 2016 using the Ratt name.[12] However, within days, Warren DeMartini spoke out against Blotzer using the name, as he owns half of the Ratt name as part of WBS, Inc., the company owned by him and Blotzer.[13] Blotzer claimed he has the legal right to go on tour using the name, as DeMartini breached his fiduciary duty by refusing to tour under the Ratt name as a partner in the corporation.[14] In October 2015, DeMartini sued Blotzer for falsely advertising his "tribute band" as the real thing.[15] In November 2015, DeMartini's attempt to procure an injunction to prevent Blotzer from using and touring under the Ratt trademark was overturned, allowing Blotzer to tour using the name Ratt.[16]
In November 2016 it was announced that Pearcy, Croucier and Demartini took control of the Ratt name, after expelling Blotzer from the partnership with the first show at M3 Rock Festival 2017 booked. The judge ruled against Blotzer with respect to whether Croucier had committed trademark infringement by using the Ratt name and logo to advertise his touring band in fall of 2015.
Side projects
He has played with several side projects over the years, such as Twenty 4 Seven, Phucket, FireFoxx, Airborne, Angel City Outlaws, Contraband, Vic Vergat Band, and has also played as a touring drummer for Montrose. In 2008, Blotzer, Jani Lane (Warrant), Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper), and Robbie Crane (Ratt) released Saints of the Underground's debut album, Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner.
References
- ↑ Olson, John; Welch, Elisa M. (1991). "Bobby Blotzer". Drums and Drumming. 3: 36–7.
- ↑ "Bobby Blotzer interview with "Metal Rules!!"". Metal-rules.com. June 23, 2001. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
- ↑ The new Rolling Stone album guide By Nathan Brackett, Christian Hoard p. 679.
- ↑ Inside Track. Michael Paoletta. Billboard December 9, 2006.
- ↑ VH1 Behind the Music: Ratt
- ↑ The Official Heavy Metal Book of Lists By Eric Danville, Cliff Mott. University of Arkansas Press p. 13
- ↑ "Metal Sludge – Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer arrested for Felony! – The Power & Glory since 1998". Metalsludge.tv. January 27, 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
- ↑ "Queensrÿche celebrate "Operation: Mindcrime" anniversary". SoundSpike. November 28, 2012.
- ↑ "Geoff Tate's Queensryche Signs With Cleopatra Records; Announces New Lineup". Vintage Vinyl News. January 25, 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ↑ "Singer Stephen Pearcy Quits Ratt". Eddietrunk.com. 2014-04-24. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
- ↑ "RATT Frontman Stephen Pearcy Leaves Band After Devastating Family Death". Hollywood Life. 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
- ↑ "Revamped Ratt To Embark On 'Re Invasion Tour'". Blabbermouth.net. September 23, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ↑ "Exclusive: Warren Demartini Is 'Totally Against' Bobby Blotzer Using Ratt Name For 'Tribute Band'". Blabbermouth.net. September 25, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ↑ "Bobby Blotzer Says That He Has The Legal Right To Tour As Ratt". Blabbermouth.net. September 29, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ↑ "Ratt's Warren Demartini Sues Bobby Blotzer For Passing Off 'Tribute Band' As Real Thing". Blabbermouth.net. October 2, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ↑ "Ruling oveturns Warren Demartini injuction". facebook.com. November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2016.