Emerging from the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles in the early 1980s, Ratt became one of the definitive architects of the glam metal scene, achieving massive commercial success with a string of multi-platinum albums and iconic hit singles. Alongside contemporaries like Mötley Crüe, the band helped define the era's signature sound and flamboyant style, known variously as hair metal or pop metal. Their journey began several years prior, however, under a different name. The band's origins trace back to 1976 in San Diego, California, where founder Stephen Pearcy initially performed under the moniker Mickey Ratt. After relocating to Los Angeles and undergoing several lineup changes, the name was shortened to Ratt, and the classic formation featuring Pearcy, guitarist Robbin Crosby, guitarist Warren DeMartini, bassist Juan Croucier, and drummer Bobby Blotzer began to solidify.

Ratt's breakthrough arrived with their 1984 full-length debut, "Out of the Cellar." Propelled by the irresistible, career-defining single "Round and Round," which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured a memorable cameo from Milton Berle in its music video, the album was a smash hit. It eventually sold over three million copies in the United States alone, cementing the band's status as superstars. This success launched a prolific period throughout the rest of the decade. They followed up with a series of successful albums including "Invasion of Your Privacy" (1985), "Dancing Undercover" (1986), and "Reach for the Sky" (1988), which spawned further hits like "Lay It Down," "You're in Love," and "Way Cool Jr." Their music videos were staples on MTV, and their energetic live shows solidified a dedicated fanbase.

The 1990s brought significant challenges with the shifting musical landscape and internal turmoil. The band experienced numerous extended breaks and frequent lineup changes, with Stephen Pearcy departing and returning multiple times. Despite the turbulence, they managed to release new studio albums, including a self-titled record in 1999 and "Infestation" in 2010, the latter of which was well-received by fans and critics as a return to their classic sound. The band's legacy has been celebrated in retrospect, with outlets like Yardbarker including them among the greatest hair metal bands of all time. Ratt toured and performed sporadically into the 2010s and early 2020s, though legal disputes among former members over the band's name have been a recurring feature of their later years. Their music, particularly anthems like "Round and Round," continues to endure as a quintessential soundtrack to the 1980s rock era.