A Los Angeles based precursor to platinum Rockers RATT. Fronted by San Diego natives Stephen Pearcy and guitarist Chris Hagar, the original line-up, then billed as MICKEY RATT during the formative years of 1979-'81, featured the Top Fuel Dragster crazy front man in partnership with bassist Matt Thorne and drummer John Turner. MICKEY RATT had started life as BUSTER CHERRY, initially featuring Pearcy, Hagar and future WARRIOR guitarist Tommy Asakawa. The latter would move on to METROPOLIS, a group hosting future RATT man Robbin Crosby. 

Turner was to make way for David Alford who in turn handed over to Khurt Maier. The band's debut live performance came with a show at a Joe Benson's UCLA radio party. MICKEY RATT did actually issue a now extremely scarce 1980 single of 'Dr. Rock'/ 'Driven E'. Given away at gigs, only 100 copies were pressed.

Around this time guitarists Jake E. Lee (then known as Jake Lou Williams) and Bob DeLellis became involved before the latter was enticed away by an offer to join local competitors ROUGH CUTT forged by MICKEY RATT defectors Hagar and Thorne. Subsequently DeLellis joined GREG LEON INVASION.

Lee replaced DeLillis in ROUGH CUTT then stepped into a fleeting relationship with DIO, then during October of 1982 finding international recognition with the OZZY OSBOURNE band. Ex-PYRRUS guitarist Tracii Guns was to audition for RATT but this proposed liaison failed to gel. He would of course go on to form the fledgling GUNS N' ROSES before embarking on his own successful outfit L.A. GUNS. Post MICKEY RATT, Khurt Maier went on to MAX HAVOC then SALTY DOG.

In 2005 Deadline Records issued the 'Ratt Era' album comprising archive and re-recorded MICKEY RATT tracks and a DVD narration from Stephen Pearcy relating the saga of RATT's origins. The audio material featured lead guitar work from GEORGE LYNCH, Tracii Guns, Mark Zavon and VOODOO and 13A man Erik Ferentinos. Bass came courtesy of Matt Thorne and Troy Johnson whilst Todd Roberson supplied drums.