The Best Of 1985: #2

We're almost at the end of our countdown... and it's been a fun time, right? So, what's my runner-up pick for the best video of 1985? Easy. It's RATT and "Lay It Down." Chucko the clown!

Comments

[Ace Steele]

I can't look at the set for the band performance parts of this video & not think of the old cartoon where the flea is in the dog's hair... very similar... "Food Around The Corner"..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwA7zmbryY

Also, it makes me sad to see Robbin "King" Crosby & remember that he is no longer with us.. what a waste.

Ratt were really fun in the club days. Something was lost when they became a signed act.


Trivia* for a short time before they got signed, Warren DiMartini left RATT to go play in Dokken. In his place, Ratt had Bullet Boys singer Marq Torien as their lead guitarist.

[Him]

Two Ratts on one list?!!? Well, color me surprised. But happy the see the Chucko I was pining for on an earlier post show up now.

I guess that means no Dokken for tomorrow's post.

Still this has been a fun set of posts, Allyson. Thanks.

[Gary]

Yet another slamming track Ally. Another "Drop D" masterpiece from Mr's DeMartini and the (aforementioned by Ace) King Crosby. When these guys are firing on all cylinders it really doesn't get much better. And Ace, thanks for the tidbit. I had known the The Torch had been with Dokken (and Whitesnake) for an eye blink, but had no idea Torian was with the Ratt lads back in the proverbial day.

[GNR]

Always love the finger flick by the little kid at the end... not sure what it ever meant but me and my brothers would always imitate it and have dad's teknika (or whatever the hell it was) single mono speaker tv cranked when this video came on. SO CLASSIC !!!

[Jeff]

One only needs to look no father than the opening monster riff by Warren to recognize this classic. Top 3 Ratt song of all-time right here boys and girls, and its not even close.

[Metalboy!]

Yeah, thanks again for the intel, Ace!

One would never think of Torien as a lead guitarist based on his persona in Bullet Boys. Is he as accomplished as DiMartini in his guitar playing?

I can totally understand going for a double dip of RATT in your list, Allyson.

I have these guys at #2 in the Big 4 that I support (Cruë, RATT, Cinderella, Poison in that order).

It will be interesting to see what video/song you will select as #1!

p.s. In honor of RATT: I know a lot of people have a love/hate thing for "Round And Round" (Right, Al?), but in my mind, it really is The Greatest Glam Metal Song of All Time and the anthem of that era. An iconic masterpiece featured in major motion pictures and TV shows, once in heavy rotation on MTV and FM Radio, this song is an absolute juggernaut!

[Ace Steele]

Gary, You are exactly right, it was during the 4 or 5 months when DiMartini was doing time in Dokken, (in between Randy Rhoads' first replacement in Quiet Riot, Greg Leon, & George Lynch, during the merry go round of whether George was in or out, or in again...) Marq is every bit the (his own word, ) "Wielding " guitarist superstar he aspired to be... he had his own band "Torien" which also contained Ratt's former drummer Khurt Maier, (later of Satly Dog). Torien was originallly slated to be replacement for Randy Rhoads in Ozzy's Blizzard of Ozz, (notice a pattern here?) but , while he was a good lead player, his rhythm guitar chops were found to lacking.. (something DiMartini admits as a shortcoming) Marq's ejection from Ratt when Warren returned sent him to the Motown act "Kagney & the Dirty Ratz" & then as the guitarist for Janet Jackson, before hitting gold w/ the Bullet Boys.

[Him]

Tons of amazing trivia these days. Incredible bits of history.

[Metalboy!]

Wow, Ace! What's great perspective from you is from a Glam Metal point of view.

For instance, you know Torien was Janet Jackson's guitarist but someone from the straight up pop music scene of the time might know that fact but not know anything about Bulletboys or his various other gigs.

Just fantastic stuff, Ace. Thanks again for filling in the blanks!

[Dj]

Perfect pick, one of my favorite Ratt songs.