Producer Beau Hill on RATT's Bobby Blotzer, "He was my least favorite guy," Stephen Pearcy Interview

[@John-zt6yw]

I met Ratt in a small restaurant in Burbank in 1985. The owner said that they would come in there for a bit of peace and quiet, and order fish and chips. I was in there for 45 minutes and they were so relaxed and quiet spoken. Nice guys all of them.

[@Pamplemousse82322]

As a drummer myself, and not much into 80s hard rock drummers, Blotz was always stylish and in the pocket. Always. I saw them live a couple times in the day. He and Juan, fantastic rhythm section.

[@laudennn]

he is so flossy

[@mr.brenman2132]

Ratt is metal. What era's of drumming are you a fan of? The 80's were one of the golden era's of drumming.

[@Pamplemousse82322]

@@mr.brenman2132 70s and 60s, when drummers still had swing and jazz mixed into their rock style

[@wjpreslar]

I met Stephen in Charlotte NC when he was on his RATT Bastard Tour. I worked for the bar and picked him up from his hotel and took him back after the show. He was a genuine guy. Very easy to talk with. Just a decent guy. He asked what I was doing the next day because he had a day off and was staying in town, but I was in college and had a test the next day. Wish I'd hung out with him instead.

[@StangQuest94]

Oh man! That’s tough! It would have been an incredible experience.

[@markbrooks8623]

Funny the opportunities you miss when you are young. I've been there.

[@bls8959]

Lol sure pal

[@ralpherl5657]

I saw Motley Crue at the UCF arena. I didn't enjoy the show cuz I had a test the next day. Got a C in the class (ecology) but I still did well enough to go to medschool lol

[@Eddie-In-Las-Vegas]

He said Bobby was very difficult to work with, he never said Bobby wasn't a good drummer or terrible player. So to whoever says Bobby's drumming sucked, this interview here doesn't back any of that up at all. Anyone with half a brain knows Bobby is a well accomplished drummer and played his ass off on all the Ratt recordings and live shows.

[@guitarplayer1434]

no one paying attention about how much percy's voice sucked to take so much time for a chorus and two vs. . and I am a ratt fan , but truth be told

[@doctordetroit4339]

Correct, Bobby is an excellent drummer. The only weak musician is Pearcy. He cannot sing. Never could. Just like Brett Michaels. But it didn't matter, their songs were catchy and even girls liked them. Pearcy wrote most of the songs. So he gets props for that. I love the band, love the songs, but we gotta be honest about it all. Warren is the only super-talent of the lot. Ratt is very dysfunctional. But Blotz being a PITA does not take away from his talent.

[@ljdsam]

Yup, Bobby came up with some interesting drum patterns, he was (and is) very good. What he was like as a person is another matter. His interviews on the Metal Recycle Bin are actually good. I guess people grow up. But Ratt sounds like a bunch of individuals each out for themselves, rather than a band like, say, Def Leppard.

[@XJT0428]

I saw them in 85 I didn't think he was a good drummer at all Want a good Drummer and all the rest should of seen Triumph back then Holy Shit those are real musicians

[@Eddie-In-Las-Vegas]

@@XJT0428 Opinions don't make facts.

[@martinmayfield1932]

We truly have no idea how good Beau made these albums sound.

[@randallfloyd4476]

you've never heard them?

[@raypratt3611]

Nah man,what hes saying is that aside from the guitarists,DeMartini and Crosby the band SUCKED!!Blotzer is so lucky to have had that gig for as long as he did,cuz ANY competent drummer could have had his job,EASILY!!and the elephant in the room here,is what he must have done to get PEARCY sounding the way he did on those records,cuz much like VINCE NEIL he is and WAS a bad singer,except Vince did have a way of changing up his vocal styles for the song but Pearcy always sounded the same,but good producers can tinker with the vocals and sounds a LOT!!

[@timprescott4634]

meh…

[@WhyTheHorseface]

@@raypratt3611 uh… did you listen to the interview? He complimented Bobby’s playing. Bobby was one of the best drummer’s of the 80’s LA scene.

[@renorailfanning5465]

He made the drums sound like shit. That electronic drum sound from Blotzer was horrible.

[@cripprocktony]

Very good interview! Beau is a genius just for having gotten some of the sounds he got out of Steven and Blotzer - both top notch, not to mention the raw, kickass guitar sounds! Love these interviews! ⚡ 👍

[@davidrice3337]

Sounds like he's a typical greedy bastard to me

[@scottt5484]

I was a drummer in my share of bar bands that never went anywhere. My strength was in arranging and/or adding a break here or a break there etc. While not melody it sometimes was a riff and perhaps a lyric or harmony, I felt those contributions really took the songs to the next level. In those cases, I would have wanted writing credits if we ever got signed and released a record. I’d be interested in hearing everyone’s thoughts regarding. Thanks.

[@RancidAmputation123]

I think arrangement/composition is an equally important part of writing music as writing the lyrics or the melody if you contributed to that then you deserve writing credits, in my opinion

[@doublestrokeroll]

You would have got arranging credits. It's a separate thing and isn't considered song writing. But generally an arranger's credit gets you paid as well, depending on how it's negotiated. Could be a one time payout or points. (royalties)

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@RancidAmputation123 Arranging credits are generally their own thing and get paid as such. Still not considered "song writing".

[@andersdo2925]

I’ve done the same thing, I agree and would expect credit for it no matter what it is considered. No matter how big or small I would want credit.

[@starshiplazyboy475]

Would the song have been a hit without a drum track? Or with a digital drum track? Was this Billy Blotzer guy a part of the band or was he just a hired gun for studio and/or touring? If he was in the band and participated in the writing process he should get a cut of the money. Period. I always heard Blotzer was a jerk, but he wasn't wrong about this.

[@cc5053]

Publishing comes up so often in interviews and articles about these older bands it makes you wonder if they were ever really told of it's significance back in the day, or if they knew but didn't care at the time because becoming a rock star was the priority. Billy Corgan said he was warned before singing a deal but he didn't listen, and it played a huge part in killing Smashing Pumpkins. Bon Jovi and Sambora had publishing rights to Skid Row which caused friction once Skid's album shot up the charts. Sambora felt guilty and gave his percentage back but Bon Jovi held on to his for a while. When you see these older bands today selling their catalogs for millions you can see why a band member sitting at home with nothing isn't so quick to reunite.

[@RandyFricke]

My belief is that if you are in a "band" that everything that winds up on a record is shared contribution and should be compensated accordingly. Bobby Blotzer was their drummer. If you have a good drummer you keep him happy. Show him some love.

[@machupikachu1085]

so he should make exactly the same amount of money as the guys who actually are expected to write all of the original material that he plays drums on? One could argue that everyone in a company is needed in order to make that product sell. So, should they all get paid equally?

[@jamiehovis7722]

@@machupikachu1085 he isn’t suggesting to pay the roadies or managers equally. the band makes the music, period. the songs would sound different with a different drummer. bands like red hot chili peppers, green day, porno for pyro, all gave their drummer equal songwriting publishing.

[@RandyFricke]

@@machupikachu1085 Yes.

[@TrevyTrev-andTheFunkyPets]

I think it depends. There are bands that work as a team in the studio and there are artists/ songwriters that tell the musicians what to play for the music they have written.

[@odom2142]

That is crazy. The songwriter usually writes the song using a piano or guitar, then brings it to the band so the rest of the band can arrange parts to the song. The song exists once the songwriter(s) make the words and a melody. The rest is what we call “arranging.” Drummers, bassists, backup singers, guitar soloists, etc. are decorating the tree someone else planted. Songwriters deserve the most money. You are the greedy one.

[@sammue6349]

THIS >>>>>> Bobby is a great drummer and his swing and quirky nuances are a big ingredient in the classic Ratt sound.

[@23ograin53]

Love his style, especially his use of interesting crash and china accents. He's on the cymbals a LOT on Dancing Undercover but it's perfect and doesn't come across like over-playing.

[@machupikachu1085]

his drum skills are only eclipsed by his ego.

[@festalongreyhawkshorts4sho645]

I saw Ratt in 1988 & poison opened for them. The entire time poison was on, Bobby was just off stage admiring Ricky Rockets drumming! It was cool👍

[@rockymountboy]

That was my first concert! At the Forum in LA, if IIRC.

[@ruthlessreid9172]

Both sucked so that makes sense 😅.

[@festalongreyhawkshorts4sho645]

@@ruthlessreid9172 I'm sure your much more successful than any of them🙄

[@mr.brenman2132]

​@@ruthlessreid9172Ratt rules.

[@audiomedianews]

Another great interview! Excellent point about the publishing. Thanks for all your work.

[@amoruzz]

I always liked this drummer! I could go into great detail, but it really made their music unique to me.

[@malinwj1167]

Agreed!

[@williamberry8895]

This drummer is the Blotz

[@stevemarshall3986]

This is why Rush never had any squabbles about royalties. They just divided it equally.

[@estelombo]

americans cant do that. they are pre programmed for greed when dollars are held in front of them.

[@slydogger]

@@estelombo Two words: Van Halen. Now go kick rocks.

[@doctordetroit4339]

@@slydogger VH screwed Mike out of his.

[@estelombo]

@@slydogger hahah what an example.....nice try though

[@seagullpoet]

DOORS were like that. 4 way split.

[@andyznuff]

Bobby is actually a good drummer, plays with excellent timing and is strong and punchy. His intelligence and behavior though is that of a disgruntled 8th grader in the classes for troubled kids.

[@martinmayfield1932]

😂😂😂

[@christopherweise438]

andyznuff - True. Insufferable douche bag. RATT eventually got sick of him as well.

[@r.thompson2190]

Bobby is a bonehead

[@Razrback]

I saw them multiple times live he was not in beat i was disappointed

[@renorailfanning5465]

I'd be pissed off to if Beau made my drums sound like an electronic kit. Never mind that horrible, "gated" snare sound of the '80's.

[@MikeB-oo9bj]

Bobby is one of the most underrated drummers of the 80's. His accents, fills, nuances and subtleties take a lot to remember and play correctly.

[@avolite719]

LoL. 😆😆😆

[@karlsalocks]

Really? Like, is he a smidge better than Lars or something? He's got stiff competition with Rikki Rockett

[@mr.brenman2132]

​@@karlsalocksLars is a good drummer. Did you get your knowledge of drumming through memes?

[@onemoremisfit]

My advice to a young drummer in a signed band is to demand equal songwriting credits on every song the band creates with your drumming participation or walk. The idea that only melody and lyrics count for songwriting is contentious and arguable, but the fact is you don't play a melody instrument and they do. So under their logic, when your whole band brainstorms some riffs and together you piece those riffs into a song, you get zero credit, even though you created the drum parts to the song, and drum music can be and is charted into written sheet music format all the time. Do not bother arguing about this, because it will never be resolved and they are just interested in keeping the real money, if any, to themselves and leaving you out in the cold someday. Remember, if your band succeeds at all, it will be for a short time, and the songwriting credits will be all you have to show for it someday. If they want to treat you like a hired session player, then walk and let them be a Steely Dan type of thing. The bottom line is it's all or nothing. If you can't be a fully equal member of the band then walk. They were just going to cheat you in the long run anyway.

[@777jones]

There has hardly ever been a great rock band without a great drummer. Or even a single great rock recording. Drummers are the key to it.

[@onemoremisfit]

@@777jones The very name "Rock & Roll" came from the beat of the drums and the quality that kind of drumming gave to the music. Here's a thought experiment: Say you have a typical rock band with a lineup of guitar, keys, bass, vocals, and drums. Now suppose you have a gig where one member of the band can't make it. Which element will be missed the most if not present? Guitar can cover for missing keys. Keys can cover for missing guitar or missing bass. Missing vocals can be covered by being an instrumental band for tonight. Missing drums cannot be covered. Also arguable is the way drumming can make or break an otherwise mediocre live band. A drummer with a good solid pulse and tasty chops will carry a lousy band, and a poor drummer will drag down a good band. That's because the nature of rock and roll is so dependent on the beat. A talented guitarist I played with in the past once told me that poor drumming makes it harder for him to play his guitar well. This is so true. It's like the way a jockey on a racehorse makes the winning difference. The horse will run faster with one jockey than it does with another. This is why some individual jockeys become highly sought after, because they know how to drive a racehorse better than others. And the horse will always run faster with a good jockey on it than with no jockey at all. And a guitar player will always rock harder with a good drummer. With no drummer, nobody rocks.

[@larrylancaster7877]

The fact is that any musician that plays any kind of instrument has to kind of be a natural born drummer or your sense of timing would suck and you wouldn't be able to play with anyone and so you know given the fact that there are these things called drum machines and just about anybody could program a drum part if they have the musicality to play an instrument and write a song in the first place, well, that may just put some holes in your argument there... In fact I'm sure you could actually program some parts that were technically very difficult to execute for a real human player. David gilmour has stated before that there are parts that he is recorded in the studio that were you know punched and the result of dubbing that he can't actually perform live you know he can't pull off technically live. So yeah, you can advise drummers all you want though go ahead, some drummers you know can actually play melodic music and and apparently you know well I'm thinking of the fact that Jim Gordon stole the piano part that's in Layla from Rita Coolidge right now.

[@onemoremisfit]

@@larrylancaster7877 All instrumentalists must have time and rhythm, so what? This does not negate modern drum set drumming or the diminish the importance of drum set drumming in rock music. Even marching brass bands can't function without drumming, and this is not a modern development, it goes back centuries. And every horn player in a brass band must have time and ability to march in step. Again, so what? The band is nothing without its drum corps, and moreover the drum corps is the featured centerpiece of the marching band. As I stated originally, modern rock bands often write melodies by brainstorming riffs in jam sessions. Your Jim Gordon anecdote is pointless, and the argument and sophistry is endless, which is why I advise the drummer in a signed band NOT to argue. The bottom line is if they conspire to deny you credit in a situation like that then they are just cheating you out of future earnings that they will enjoy when the band is history while leaving you with nothing. And so if that is the deal they offer, then don't argue, just walk. Let them hire a session drummer. And if you don't walk, then at least understand that all you are to them is a de facto session drummer. You are not a band member.

[@sarojaband4664]

@@onemoremisfit Lifelong drummer here. Thank you.

[@tomgorycki7176]

This is why the guys in Rush split everything 3 ways since they all made their unique contributions.

[@TempoDrift1480]

Well Neil wrote the lyrics in Rush. That's not known by casual Rush listeners.

[@ugaais]

Love RATT my top three glam bands of all time, but not even in the same ballpark as RUSH as far as musical talent

[@jamiehovis7722]

@@ugaais rush is pretentious prog bs

[@ugaais]

@@jamiehovis7722 maybe that’s opinion…I wasn’t talking about style I was talking about chops

[@jamiehovis7722]

@@ugaais and how is chops relevant to quality of music or talent? how dumb.

[@citytonightproductions]

Writing should include drum parts, guitar solos, bass lines etc. yes lyrics and melody are important , but the song was created by the 5 of them together. Best to share credits equally and avoid drama

[@acepaul407]

Drums, guitars, bass parts typically gets mechanical and arrangement royalties. Writing/publishing credits are a pain in the ass. Bands like Dokken and U2 solved that problem by splitting it ALL equally. Period.

[@kboy1234]

Disagree. The melody, lyrics, chord structure, etc are the entire foundation of a song. Without those things you don’t have a song to write a drum part to or a guitar solo to. When you move into a house and decorate the house, you don’t tell people you built the house or built the foundation. You simply decorated the foundation that was already there. Guitar solos and drum parts, etc are decorations to a song

[@citytonightproductions]

@@kboy1234 ya i disagree. Sometimes a great song is driven by the drum parts or the guitar solo that takes the song over the top and to completely different place than the original writer had in mind. Or a bass line etc. The collaboration of the players who write their own parts to the original song idea is just as important. Thinking drum machine on the demo, then drummer comes in and takes the song in a different direction and makes it better. He or she should not be considered a writer?

[@Swanlord05]

Drumming is a part of music Without the beat there is No song Period!

[@Swanlord05]

@@kboy1234..... Drums are the first thing recorded then the other instruments

[@vinnykster]

5:42 Ahhhh. That's a bunch of "music industry" bullshit. Not for nothing but guitar solos contain MELODIES! THEY ARE written. All they had to do is put " All Music/Lyrics Written by RATT" Split 5 fuckin ways. DONE. Everybody's happy. And the smart bands DO just that to avoid unnecessary resentments. Beau was a fine producer. But what he said is about how credits are done is bullshit industry talking points. Plenty of bands divide earnings evenly by simply crediting the entire band for everything splitting royalties EVENLY among all members NO MATTER WHAT. U2, Chili Peppers, The Doors, REM ALL did this.

[@lazarus3068]

Interesting interview on the process of working with Ratt. Very unique band from many standpoints,including fast swinging tempos actually matched with catchy melodies that never plodded or droned,lyrics written in the "second person",narration. Who did that?Not many since years before in Rock at least. "As you were".. Great program!

[@erictripton]

Met entire band at a jazz lounge in the hotel they stayed at; the Sealbach in Louisville, apart from Warren trying to get my sis upstairs, I gave Bobby a compliment on his drum solo which he misunderstood and got defensive. Once he calmed down and finally understood, all I could notice was the dark eye bags of paranoia. Warren was cool and we talked some guitars, but I mentioned Yngwie...he and Stephen rolled their eyes at me. I was so excited to meet them regardless. Robin walked in. Scanned the room and did an about face and headed for the elevator. Felt starstruck giddy, Warren is a huge influence. Made it cool to carry on with that Randy Rhoads guitar sound.

[@fullinbloom]

Nice story. What year?

[@erictripton]

@@fullinbloom 87 or 88 Reach For The Sky tour.

[@John-zt6yw]

Sure you did.

[@erictripton]

@@fullinbloom 1988

[@puffybuns2311]

Bobby’s groove is amazing Him and Demartini are like Mac and cheese Also Juan Those three are amazing. Stephen is also great. His lyrics and how he fills the void with his diction his unique voice is the sound of Ratt. Only those four guys are Ratt. Not to leave Robbin crosby behind. His songwriting was unique.

[@thesnapperkeeper]

I love this channel it deserves so many more subscribers

[@bryanthoward9759]

Invasion is a great record…..it’s their peak…..good stuff….. We truly have no idea how good Beau made these albums sound..

[@mozartfx1]

Bobby Blotzer is a good guy. He got me and my buddy thrown out of a show in New Haven at Toads Place back in the 90’s but we deserved it and it’s my favorite Ratt memory! Ratt n Roll!

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

That is a rock and roll story for sure.

[@tjp3rd]

Toads place ....Holy shit...was this before they broke out??

[@mozartfx1]

@@tjp3rd No in 1999 they released an album called Ratt. When they came out on stage Jizzy Pearl was singing and we started yelling where’s Stephen cuz we were drunk and BB had us booted. Two security guards lifted us up and threw us out onto the sidewalk like rag dolls….it was awesome. 🤟🏻

[@432b86ed]

@@mozartfx1 But wasn't the love/hate singer better than Pearcy live?

[@mozartfx1]

@@432b86ed Yea I thought so. I was a huge fan of blackout in the redroom and his album with l.a. guns shrinking violets is in my CD player right now! For years I blamed blackout in the red room for getting me kicked out of the Navy. If you’re a drinker BOITR is the ultimate party album. Now after 20 years sober I can look back and laugh but I know a lot of gen x guys who “lived” the music like their lives were music videos or something.

[@rycher2007]

All bands go through this about songwriting credits. A lot of times the drummer didn’t contribute musical material but will help out with arrangements and get a bit of credit for that. A lot of bands will put the songwriting under the name of the band, so everybody gets a piece of the action. But when the money starts rolling in large quantities, things/attitudes do change quickly.

[@warthogA10]

It's preposterous that an artist doesn't get credited for portions of music they come up with, such as mentioned here, a solo, etc. and receive monetary compensation for it. That's just a straight kick to the groin. It is still a part of what makes the piece as a whole.

[@ge2623]

It can be. Just put it in a contract.

[@doublestrokeroll]

Why? The music industry has always had fairly specific "rules" as to what song writing is. He's totally right. A solo is not a song. I'm a drummer. What I do is not song writing in any possible way. It's fitting a beat into what is already a song. Drums can be melodic at times but they are not an instrument that creates melodies or chord progressions. Neither are guitar solos. If you come up with a way to make the song better by suggesting parts and where they go then you'll get an arranging credit but again that's different from a song writing credit. You're looking at it from a fan's perspective and not a musician's perspective. You hear a piece of music and can't imagine it being any other way, but what you heard is only a snap shot of the song as it existed at that moment. Yes, many artists keep that moment mostly the same over the years but many do not. Many guitarists for example often never play a solo the same way twice. Some artists play their old songs much differently than they did on the album versions. Does a guy like Phil X, for example, deserve a song writing credit on a Bon Jovi song that was recorded live because he doesn't play the guitar solo the same way as Ritchie Sambora? That's completely ridiculous. Of course he doesn't. And he knows it.

[@ge2623]

@@doublestrokeroll Anything can be put in a contract. Anything.

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@ge2623 Right. Which is why if a band wants to evenly split royalties then it would need to be contractually agreed upon. Many bands did that. They listed the "song writers" as the whole band. In many cases when it was obviously not so. Case in point, Van Halen. Eddie chose to allow song writing credits for everyone. DLR probably would have received one for writing the top line melody, but Alex and Michael Anthony didn't write shit. Eddie wrote everything for Van Halen. But he wanted the "band" type attitude at the beginning. Remember when the Brothers made Michael Anthony give up his writing credits if he wanted to go on tour with them? An example the other way is ACDC. Check the credits. All songs written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young. On the older stuff Bon and Brian got writing credits but by Razor's Edge I don't see Brian getting any writing credits. So that's Angus and Malcolm saying these are our songs. Period. Phil Rudd was their drummer. Cliff Williams was their bass player. Neither were song writers. They simply added parts to already written songs. Iron Maiden. 90% of it is Steve Harris. Steve wrote most of the lyrics too so that's why Bruce hardly ever gets any writing credits. Bruce is basically Steve's employee. In the end the guy coming up with the melodies is the guy who gets to decide. And if they want to keep all the credits because it was their idea then good for them. Lennon McCartney. Right?

[@scottbreedlove5344]

keep in mind too, if you aren't a member of ASCAP and get publishing, you also don't have access to the health insurance plans.

[@amandaheifner8020]

Saw Ratt, Poison,& Kix in 89. Awesome show!

[@OrieCipollaro]

Steven doesn’t have a great singing voice but he has a very very unique sound that made Ratt great.

[@adriantomlin2902]

Sorta like Vince Neal.

[@OrieCipollaro]

@@adriantomlin2902 exactly

[@zedd187]

Ratt's Out of the Cellar is fukkng incredible album. In my personal top 10 (Back in Black.. Appetite for Destruction.. Highway to Hell.. Out of the Cellar.. Foreigner 4... Reach the Beach.. 1984.. Moving Pictures.. Aenima.. and Lateralus.)

[@RockmasterVideos]

LoL, KIDDIE ROCK.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@RockmasterVideos Especially the awful gnr and acdc ones.

[@beamout9639]

Blotzer was the best drummer of that whole scene. He is obviously difficult, too

[@toma.4808]

Best drummer of that whole scene? You cant be serious.

[@stevenrandolph1654]

His drumming is advanced guy in high school drumming .

[@jamiehovis7722]

id say tommy lee was the best drummer and im saying this as someone that hates their music

[@ytusersumone]

In Great White's song 'South bay cities", which I happen to like, there's a line: "and Blotzer's always totally out of his mind", what ever made them put that in a song I'd like to hear a background story.

[@Shinobi_6]

like Bobby or not on Infestation he did an amazing job on drums!

[@luciferdzhugashvili]

Who makes a rock band record that early in the morning?

[@glengamble526]

Blotzer always remind me of a big polish bohunk plumber who got lucky and became a rock star-but never looked/seemed like one.

[@anthonymiller3970]

Everyone in every band should split the royalty checks. To me a drum solo or a guitar part is just like writing lyrics.

[@coolbeans8486]

Tell that to axl

[@doublestrokeroll]

That's just naive fan perspective. As a drummer NOTHING of what I do when creating a drum part for a song is "song writing". lol. It's kid of ridiculous to even consider it. Song writing in the music industry is a very specific thing. The simple fact of the matter is the drum part of a song is not going to make or break it's success. It's the melody that makes people like it. It's why Nicko McBrain can step into Maiden and Maiden will still be successful. Because Maiden is Steve Harris. Not Nicko McBrain. It's why ACDC can record Thunderstruck with Chris Slade and it will still be a massive hit. Could Phil Rudd have played that song? Of course...it's the SAME beat. It's a massive hit because it was written by Angus and Malcolm, not because of the drummer on it....lol. Hell...they probably could have used a drum machine and it still would have been huge (Think Billy Gibbons on Eliminator). Chris Slade did not deserve royalties for Thunderstruck...and I'm sure he'd be the first to tell you that. Same goes for guitar solos.

[@Shonschannel]

Nah, when you got one person writing the music, lyrics, ans making the music, then that person should get 50-70 percent and the rest is split up to everyone else.

[@jamiehovis7722]

@@coolbeans8486 axl split songwriting credits with steven the drummer and the others , so bad example. axl didnt write any songs it was izzy…

[@LukeWarm05]

Based on my Blotzer experience, "generally disagreeable" is an extremely charitable description.

[@mr.brenman2132]

Who are you and why would we care about your experience?

[@constantinovalidakis8427]

​@@mr.brenman2132why do you have to be disrespectful dude? The guy just said what he experienced... i love Ratt huge fan but idols are not always what we wish them to be, some of them should be just on the poster...

[@mr.brenman2132]

@@constantinovalidakis8427 How do you know what his experience is? It's a random youtube commenter.

[@constantinovalidakis8427]

@@mr.brenman2132 and what do you know if it's true or not? You're also a random youtube commenter, not an FBI agent i guess 🤣

[@mr.brenman2132]

@@constantinovalidakis8427 I don't. That's why I don't care about his experience. Have a nice day.

[@markbrooks8623]

Part of the problem, it seems to me, is that they handled writing credits in a way that necessarily cut members of the band out despite their contributing part of the songs in question. It's a little weird. And frankly he's the only guy still trying to keep the band going.

[@acepaul407]

There is no set formula for songwriting/publishing credits. I'm 100% sure Bobby got credit for mechanical and he probably got arranging credits for coming up with his parts. That was probably enough to keep him happy. But Stephen and Robbin took the lion share of the publishing, which is where the money is at.

[@dannywizz]

This was pretty much standard in the 80s. Good Songwriters were the bread and butter and that meant writing good melody and lyrics. Everything else you could fix in the studio from a producer's point of view.

[@markbrooks8623]

@@acepaul407 That's right, which is why in a partnership, which Ratt was, the songwriting credit should have been treated as a collective product, as the music itself was. There was no specific reason why certain members should have taken the majority of the publishing rights, and as Beau himself points out, this resulted in some nasty squabbles. Long-lived bands don't handle it that way. Of course Ratt has fallen apart now because the squabbles finally ended the band.

[@markbrooks8623]

@@dannywizz You could fix melody and lyrics as well. In fact, owning the publishing rights wasn't something that every band handled correctly either. I think my point stands -- a lot of the problems Ratt went through came down to not handling the publishing rights more equitably. It created unhealthy levels of dissension. The money squabbles have killed many a good band.

[@jonathanlund6708]

I heard Juan once complained about Stephen changing the lyrics of lack of communication which Juan wrote because Stephen said he couldn't sing them but Juan thinks he just wanted the writing credits

[@giraffesareselfish9563]

Juan should get nothing just because of how goofy he is on stage

[@jonathanlund6708]

@@giraffesareselfish9563 what you do onstage has nothing to do with writing royalties

[@timprescott4634]

@@jonathanlund6708 Pretty sure he was kidding…🙄

[@jonathanlund6708]

@@timprescott4634 they've had problems with each other up until this day

[@jonathanlund6708]

@@timprescott4634 plus when it comes to song royalties I wouldn't doubt it

[@feelingsogood6073]

Ratt had that razor sharp sound.

[@Easystreet208]

This explains a lot between Stephen and Bobby!~

[@AnnahRoberts76]

I recall hearing Stephen Pearcy say Beau was responsible for their sound, and i heard Blotzer was an Ahole, not just by Beau, but the guys in Ratt and other bands. He's a good drummer but apparently difficult to work with.

[@acepaul407]

Nobody in Ratt liked each other. They define the term 'dysfunctional.' Each guy thought all the other guys were assholes, but there was a chemistry there so they had to tolerate each other (that's where the drugs and alcohol came in handy). In many different ways, they were a really strange band.

[@archerbowyer7704]

Bobby was a troubled child so he beat the drums rather than beating up people

[@machupikachu1085]

Bobby is indeed a quick tempered, self absorbed narcissistic douche bag who is very difficult to be around.

[@A_Final_Hit]

@@machupikachu1085 And that's putting it nicely. 😂

[@AnnahRoberts76]

@@acepaul407 Stephen has always been close friends with Robbin Crosby (R.I.P) and Warren Demartini he has only spoken highly of like a brother. I don't think they all disliked each other. Even family has fights and disagreements.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

I’d really like to hear a before and after Beau vocal melody. I’m imagining based on his retelling of Stephen’s comments, every Ratt melody we know and love was a creation of Beau.

[@AnnahRoberts76]

During the Mickey Ratt days before they became Ratt. But yeah Beau was responsible for their unique vocals sound. Pearcy has said it often.

[@notliving7456]

I call bullshit maybe on Invasion but your saying Out Of The Cellar and the rest was Beau, this can easily be checked by going back and listening to their live shows in the early 80s what about the demo before Cellar? Some of those songs made it to the Out Of The Cellar album and there didn’t seem to be many changes. You’re giving this Producer more credit than the band you love that’s a fucking problem I’m a musician and had nothing but hell from every Producer we ever met they try to change every aspect and sometimes it’s not for the better. Unless he’s been their from there humble beginnings with the self titled demo album till the end, he probably took his knowledge of music theory and placed the songs notes more accordingly to tighten them up and be more radio friendly.

[@machupikachu1085]

@@notliving7456 Yes. Yes he did. That's what producers do.

[@Wanderlust073]

The guy does come across as taking credit for most all the melodies. Hard to believe any lead vocalist would be ok with that. First album? Maybe. A collaboration? Maybe. Giving in to every producer song change across multiple albums? Seems unlikely.

[@MariUSukulele]

(all of) these interviews are GREAT

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for listening.

[@MariUSukulele]

@@fullinbloom oh, i listen to all of them! Super exciting, super informative! Again THANK YOU 🫵🏻

[@fullinbloom]

@@MariUSukulele I appreciate you letting me know. I recently launched a new channel on KZbin called full in bloom Plus that you may like. I'll be posting a lot of the longer old school style of interviews with engineers, producers, etc. over there. Thanks again for your comments.

[@timscimeca978]

Would love to hear from more guys who worked with motley crue... like Doc or other people who worked closely with motley. I always like seeing the backstage production, photo sessions, etc. Love yr channel

[@Imokyourok440]

My cousin worked at a club in Houston. She met a lot of 80’s rock guys. She had good things to say about all of them with one exception......

[@cynthiabelknap8655]

Who?

[@Imokyourok440]

@@cynthiabelknap8655 Yes. Blotzer. She said he was a demanding, arrogant asshole.

[@jamiehovis7722]

@@cynthiabelknap8655 /whoooosh

[@charlieryan1736]

Thanks for another interesting and informative video

[@schuey999]

Wasn't Beau Hill the guy that wanted to bring in a session guitarist in place of Warren? That says all we need to know about Beau Hill.

[@Doerfler135]

You know where you bought that shirt and it damn sure wasn't the men's section.

[@mz6504]

Invasion is a great record…..it’s their peak…..good stuff….

[@kmortensen]

Are some of these interviews overlapping? Ive heard the "well Beau is just going to change things anyway..."

[@veronicafox399]

Me too....was wondering about that

[@hypervigilance1465]

never knew who the drummer was for ratt was listening to ratt while doing yard work the other day and thought man the drummer is good.

[@busterstutts9849]

Blotzer is a BAD ASS drummer always was

[@tcavalo]

LOL.....nah. He was just you typical metal drummer.

[@angusorvid8840]

Any time I met Blotz he was totally cool. Always liked the guy.

[@jerretkirouac7038]

So you’re probably a jerk too then

[@evanmaunders5688]

I’ve heard he’s real cool to fans, but things are different when you work with a guy

[@christopherweise438]

@@evanmaunders5688 - Of Course you're nice to the fans. They are paying your salary so to speak. I've been in bands over half my life, and you are correct. I've seen it a bunch of times when you you work with somebody. There's a legendary guitarist (in my area) that everybody loves. Great player. Shows are legendary. Everybody loves him. Always wanted to work with the guy. Finally got a chance.....and what a collassel dickwad.

[@machupikachu1085]

did he invade your personal space and talk way too close to you?

[@randychambers1704]

Check out Bobby's first scene in the Round and Round video where his cymbal stand collapses and the cymbal covers his face. I wonder if he had to do the whole take like that. Not doggin' on him.. just a funny thing that I recently noticed. It goes by pretty quick when the band first appears.

[@dudebud72]

Beau Hill was and is the main reason there is hair in hair bands. Ratt was an amazing song. Love these interviews.

[@-GRAVESITE-]

6:30 That band photo is ridiculous.

[@jayteesgear]

Lived next to Boobbys GF around 2007? Ish- SUPER fun dude! Saw him alot til like 2013 but i think Ratt has broke up by then. Love all these old interviews. Id love to do a record w Beau

[@Funky5.0]

love the Ratt records...I just wish the guitar solos were up a little louder in the mix...

[@davidbaines7330]

Definitely. That’s the biggest gripe I had with their sound, besides the album’s overall sound kinda thin- no bass.

[@jefff3756]

Blotzer seemed to serve the Ratt music well and added some personality. I like Mick Brown (Dokken) too but if I compared the two I would say Mick's playing was more straight forward and simpler. I personally liked Blotzer's full tom sound and electronic sounds mixed in to the bluesy rock sound. Much preferred his style vs Tommy Lee even though both are clearly solid drummers. While I hear he's hard to deal with we also have to consider the sources (Pearcy, DeMartini) have their reported challenges as well. Beau does seem like he's giving an honest take so that is cool to hear!

[@Molt408]

what a humble guy

[@fallenshallrise]

lol

[@laudennn]

Ha!

[@Obrian81]

Bobby said in a recent interview that Beau Hill called him out on this interview cause Beau was probably still angry at Bobby for calling him out in Bobby's book.. Bobby claims that Beau would bring Fiona in the studio after Ratt gets done & use up Ratt's studio time & money to record her album (Beyond the Pale)

[@johnwatson3948]

Maybe it was Behind the Music where Bobby got emotional criticizing “the Producer” for wanting to bring in a studio guitarist to do a small lead bit instead of Warren: “You’re using someone else over Warren DeMartini!!”.

[@jamiehovis7722]

it was juan, cloying.

[@BrutusMayhem567]

Ratt was my favorite hair band of the 80s. Lots of high school memories in that music.

[@777sicilia]

Quit saying “hair bands”, that’s what the media called them. They were just great Rock Bands.

[@BrutusMayhem567]

@@777sicilia I've been saying that since the 80's... lol... or glam rock...😆😆

[@THECLARENCES]

Oh, Bobby!!! xoxo The Clarences

[@dorkf1sh]

Saw Ratt at a local battle-of-the-bands night before they made it big. They were not the best band on stage that night, but they weren't the worst either.

[@alanjamesh.zamorano1677]

Makes me wonder. Which band was the best on that battle of the bands gig?

[@WhenHariMetKari]

Odin

[@specialagentchungus6632]

Always the way, not what you know, it's who you know.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@specialagentchungus6632 The 'top' band didn't have the songs. It's not about how well you can do covers or shred.

[@specialagentchungus6632]

@@ColtraneTaylor not the case I'm afraid, I've been in the industry too long.

[@ericscottstevens]

Stephen is a hard one to classify. Tilted larynx type that is in that vocal twang resonance of going to a growl falsetto. Yet he uses shorter exhale vocal in a medium cord that lead to plateaus throughout his lyrics. He has a higher register but it is tinny. Kevin Dubrow had a similar voice range but could absolutely unleash the higher octaves instantly in the studio or live. Dave Mustane' vocals also within these 2 also.

[@lanceraustin]

Fascinating, technical analysis!

[@xdreampcs8554]

I could hear all 3 singer's voices in my head and your description was spot on. Excellent vocal analysis.

[@wayne3340]

Of course it would become contentious. When a band forms, it's usually 4 or 5 somewhat equal partners. A band of brothers or buddies, with dreams of being a huge rock band, money, women and all that. Then you go in the studio and record an album and find out your musical contributions don't count for much.... That's a hard pill to swallow. Bobby is one of my favorite drummers, just listen to his chops. Also Stephan Kaufman from Accept, he's amazing too. For me, the drum tracks are a huge reason why I like a song. Somebody should tell kids, when they want to start playing the drums, pick another instrument kid, because you'll get screwed financially by your bandmates. This interviewer has a condescending tone with some of his questions.

[@jamiehovis7722]

no good band ever did it for money women and fame. and many bands cut in the drummer into songwriting royalties. its easy, if you’re a great drummer, dont play for bands that refuse to pay you. a band is only as good as its drummer. and by your same logic, lead guitarists and bass players and singers dont get royalties either. like motly crue where the bassist wrote everything or husker du where the drummer wrote everything.

[@goodmorningsundaymorning4533]

What!?!? Bobby was my fav RATT 🥰🐀

[@MetalHeart8787]

why did you put "Stephen Pearcy Interview" at the end in the title? when it was just a Beau interview. - - the last interview i saw with Bobby he made it sound like it was stephan & warren who try to control stuff & because of them Ratt Broke up

[@fullinbloom]

Ummmmm because Beau's talking about Stephen Pearcy as well....and it's an interview.

[@fullinbloom]

Why do like your own comment?

[@MetalHeart8787]

@@fullinbloom yeah well the main point was about Blotzer, thats all i was saying. I like your videos But if Ozzy is talking about Randy, Jake & Zak "ozzy talks about his Guitarists" would be a good title. & Yeah sure why not thumbs up my own comment.

[@doublestrokeroll]

Wow....so many of you have ridiculously over romanticized fanboy ideas of what song writing is. Or isn't. As a drummer I can tell you right now that drum parts are NOT song writing. Nobody is "humming along" to a drum part. It's not what sells the song. You could have 20 decent drummers play 20 different drum parts to Round and Round and every single one of them would have been a hit. Because the drums on round in round, while fucking cool, are NOT why the song was successful. But if that doesn't convince you then think about this.... What you're saying is, a guy like say, Chris Slade, deserves a writing credit for "Thunderstruck" by ACDC because he played a 4/4 beat that basically any half decent drummer anywhere could do. Do you think it would have made any difference if Phil Rudd had played that instead? Would ACDC have sold more copies? Yeah...exactly. Drum parts are NOT song writing. And neither are guitar solos.

[@TheSleathable]

Drums Do sell the song. Ever listened to be my baby? Your example of ACDC perfectly proves how wrong you are. A 4/4 groove by phil Rudd absolutely sells the song

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@TheSleathable Stop being stupid. So thunderstruck "didn't sell" because Phil Rudd wasn't on it? lol.

[@jamiehovis7722]

bad example i dislike acdc but their drummer was incredible and did sell those songs. your drumming must sucked then because some drummers transcend performance and become part of the essence of the music

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@jamiehovis7722 nope...it isn't. And no...because if he did then Thunderstruck wouldn't have been popular. But it was. One of the biggest songs they ever did. Try comprehension.

[@jamiehovis7722]

@@doublestrokeroll are you drunk or high right now? your writing is unintelligible

[@richbunnell7426]

Back in the day, I knew a female who was pretty close to the band. She always said that Bobby was the chunky funny guy in the band that the girl's liked hanging with but none of them wanted to have sex with. We all had a guy friend like that. I mean, just look at the photo around the three minute mark. Four good looking guys, and Bobby. LOL.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

You're a straight male and feel "secure" about laughing at a musician who's not attractive enough to women. You're definitely cooler than Bobby.

[@gregoryvanhalen]

Producers say Bobby was a great drummer

[@DanNic88]

I always think its unfair that drummers get left out of writing credits, see how far your song goes without drums!

[@randallfloyd4476]

the problem is, the song would go just as far with another drummer.

[@kearneydillon4803]

@@randallfloyd4476 not always true. Imagine a Led Zeppelin song or a Who song with a different drummer. Drummers create the vibe and feel that allows the musical ideas to flow.

[@randallfloyd4476]

@@kearneydillon4803exceptions to the rule..

[@DarioDNA1]

@@randallfloyd4476 are you serious? I bet you're not a drummer

[@randallfloyd4476]

@@DarioDNA1 i bet i was....how many studio drummers have played on albums and nobody noticed?....alot.

[@aaronjoley4491]

That’s why Rush remained consistent… ALL $$$ split exactly three ways…that and we were genuine friends. Bands that didn’t agree to split up front became groups like RATT, Dokken, LA Guns and on and on.

[@seagullpoet]

“ Tales of a RATT “ - pretty good book by Blotz. Interesting. No where near as wild as Pearcy’s book though 🐭

[@CrueLoaf]

I preferred Blotzer’s book.

[@markherring3513]

One of Bobby's band members in his solo band looks like Commander Riker.

[@mooknick242]

DeMartini carried the band on his shoulders

[@dalec4906]

& Robin Crosby

[@timothyworkman1275]

De maartttiini was a child, Robin was the man

[@mooknick242]

@@timothyworkman1275 nothin against Robin...but that's hilarious

[@AlexanderArtlett]

the only reason anyone would take Ratt seriously is because of Warren DeMartini

[@edvader4423]

Warren was the band...Stephen was also....his voice is Ratt.. Warren Demartini evolved in short period....very underated....

[@bradsparling3873]

Wait, how can the solo not be included in the song credits?

[@raycreasysongwriter65]

Because it’s not lyrics are melody. Lyrics and melody are what get paid for song writing. That’s it. That’s the answer.

[@raycreasysongwriter65]

You would get paid was known as a performance credit for your solo or for your drum parts.

[@jamiehovis7722]

because the solo is suggested by the chord structure

[@King5150Ed]

Not my opinion, but from everything I've heard bout Blotz over the decades it's always been the same narrative with him.... difficult

[@machupikachu1085]

he's insufferable.

[@worldluxurytreasures5302]

Who was the model that was in the Lay It Down video?

[@machupikachu1085]

Maryanne Gravette.

[@joshuaschmidinger3993]

As a drummer(but also was the big song writer in my band)I feel for Bobby. The way you play the drums can make or break a song and is definitely a writing credit but that wasn't understood at the time. It was cheap to leave him out and they should understand how it would be if they helped write a song they he got all the credit? Just saying. I love ratt and their music and all the guys contribution to the band 😎👌🔥❤️👏 ratt n roll!

[@tamathawalden2037]

Ratt should have been bigger than motley crue and dokken should have been bigger than bon jove better songs facts !

[@AllThroughALife]

Sad that some people don't understand the difference between facts and opinions...

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@AllThroughALife Some million Bon Jovi fans don't.

[@joelgaudreault3115]

Yeah, they should’ve been bigger , if they only had better songs, better look, better show 😅 Lol

[@williamberry8895]

Yup

[@xdude2x]

bon jove……….

[@ytube777]

Man, I can imagine the arguments. I'd just as decide to split everything down the middle.

[@mariademers3111]

I’m a Ratt fan but I couldn’t hear for 2 days after a concert. They had them turned up so loud I wondered what they were hiding

[@johndef5075]

I truly believe the sound men are half deaf and dont realize how loud it is. I believe I suffered permanent damage from seeing AC/DC in 2008. Great show but jeezus it was loud! There is a movement currently to limit decibel levels at concerts...

[@giraffesareselfish9563]

Saw them in '89 and it was the worst sounding concert I've ever attended

[@DMDvideo10]

Some people can just sing in the studio. Some need to be produced!

[@PJLang1]

IDK I would consider drum beats, patterns, fills, and solos as writing. I agree with Blotzer, it's all part of the sound.

[@wineghost715]

The drummer is supposed to just play drums and come up with drum parts. But that’s not writing ! This idea ruined so many bands. It’s like saying the Wind is more important than Fire. Water more than Earth, Sun - Moon etc. it’s A BAND ! Not A Band of melody & lyric soloist

[@doublestrokeroll]

lol...that's just ridiculous fanboy romanticism. As a drummer I can tell you right now that NOTHING I do when coming up with beats to fit a song is "song writing"....lol. So you think Chris Slade was a "Song Writer" on Thunderstruck! Haha....come on....grow up.

[@timprescott4634]

@@doublestrokeroll That’s why you’re not in a successful band…

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@timprescott4634 Logic isn't your friend is it...

[@jamiehovis7722]

@@doublestrokeroll do you even know what logic means? the point he’s making is your perspective is based in your failure as a musician. a successful drummer would have higher standards and many bands agree with their financial demands because they realize what the drums do to carry the music in a way no one else can. your drumming wasn’t on that level obviously

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@jamiehovis7722 Apparently you don't. Oh no! you called me a bad drummer!!!....I'm so crushed...what will I ever do now that some message board zero says I'm not a good drummer!!! Tell the truth Jamie.....you're like 13 or 14 years old aren't you?

[@raypratt3611]

Its hard to feel sorry for BOBBY BLOTZER considering he was most assuredely a multi millionaire in his early to mid 20's,but if u dont take care of that money and set yourself up its gonna go!!and of course EVERY rocker or any hollywood guy I've ever heard of have to buy the massive EMPTY mansion with rooms they probably never even realise they had and then the Ferrari or Lamborghini etc....so EMPHATICALLY its a NO I for one don't feel sorry for an EXTREMELY avg and boring drummer who was LUCKY enough that he got to hang their coat tails and become RICH and FAMOUS for at least a strong DECADE!!

[@river2352]

I feel for Bobby on not getting writing credits when the drums are switch an integral part of their sound. The fills, the arrangements, the groove. There’s so many songs where I’m always waiting tor that certain fill or he’ll just do something different to what most drummers would do. Anyone who says Bobby is a weak drummer, clearly has never played drums.

[@hardtoke]

Great drumming and Warren's playing are the reason people still listen to Ratt, I think publishing royalties/song writing credits is bullshit. C'mon, song lyrics... their lyrics were crap.

[@river2352]

@@hardtoke amen to that my man. The lyrics weren’t their strongest but could be a lot worse, Pearcy has a strong enough and totally unique voice to pull it off.

[@truthneverlies4922]

What a expert on music , funny never heard of him ?

[@qrptedmac]

Which is why no way I’m signing with a record Co., back then, without publishing being shared equally. Publishing is the future annuity if you will for that song. Unless you get a note for note chart to play, you are helping develop the song and should get publishing credit.

[@markbrooks8623]

Agreed. The way they handled writing credits was clearly part of the problem.

[@bpr154]

coming up with drum parts and solos is hugely important to writing songs. Definitely deserves writing credits in my book

[@Busbybeats]

Absolutely! He had great drum parts and a massive groove.

[@davidrice3337]

Agreed 100% - lots of musicians have been taken advantage of because of greedy fuckers like this guy- When he made the analog with the solo I literally could picture myself punching him in the face - l guess he thinks these things just appear out of the air - wonder how many musicians who today are barely getting by who this guy has basically stolen from the

[@no_stick_drummer2735]

Not when most songs use the same drum beats, every band does the same drum beats, and it gets to the point to where it's not original anymore. And if they gave songwriting credits to drummers for playing drums, then every artist dating all the way back to the Beatles would be getting sued.

[@bpr154]

@@no_stick_drummer2735 lol nope.

[@rolandedrummer9723]

He had great drum parts and nice licks. I've never heard anybody else play some of them. Even from the earlier stuff.

[@DarrenDavis-ov7zz]

Being a drummer and guitarist, bassist, pianist. I have always thought that these laws about publishing rights are bullshit. If you have a melody with a vocal and/or with a stringed instrument or other noise making instrument, you get publishing. But if you and the bassist that form the foundation of the song, PERIOD...... put your exact amount of time in with your instrument and drummers pay way more that a guitarist to buy equipment, then you should definitely be paid the exact amount as everyone else. Every single band member puts into the song/music that everyone else does. Singers...forget it, they barely do anything except show up and plug in the mic that the club supplies unless they actually have their own PA and equipment, which I respect completely, Then I can agree. I do understand the thing about melody. However, If you play the drums and tell a story with that, Then your foundation, groove and funky or heavy beat deserves everything too. Whoever made these laws must not be a drummer or bassist. I look to change this.

[@MHale-]

I understand the post of a producer’s role, and yet again, if they were good enough to have their own band , they would have done it. How about let the bands do their thing( it’s what got them there) and then add info on what’s given and not change it to suit themselves as if it’s there band. Mettalica got got lucky on the black album, then. Load and reload. Enough said I think.

[@richfoster2173]

I don't care what anyone says. Bobby is still one of my favorite drummers. One of many lol

[@galarius]

Bobby Blotzer is awesome, he looks like a hungry vampire

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

It's kind of crazy to think that guys like Warren (and I'm sure it was the same through the industry) weren't given any writing credit for the solos. I went to high school and college back in the '80s and the solos were all probably 50% of the fans seemed to care about. It's weird to think that Beau or Stephen could have hummed some tune and gotten the writing credit (and $$$) while the actual guitar players who had to bring it to life weren't. They do call it the music business, don't they? ;-)

[@doublestrokeroll]

Why would a guitar solo get a writing credit? That's totally ridiculous. Song writing has always been considered the melody and the top line. Just because fans liked the solos doesn't mean it changes the criteria for what song writing is. And I think you over state. I was as big into metal and guitar solos and analyzing them as anybody, but I don't think I ever bought an album based on potential guitar solos. Hell even Van Halen or Satriani I bought because the songs kicked ass first. I'm guessing the VAST majority of the fans did too.

[@jamiehovis7722]

your perspective is not a musicians perspective that understands music. music is not the guitar solo or bass line, its the chords and melody.

[@memopadilla5931]

Juan was like a dancer from Solid Gold or something.. and Stephen should of been that Kelly kid riding the motorcycle in Bad News Bears.