Wanted Man

Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew is spinning "Wanted Man" by Ratt from their killer debut album Out of the Cellar, and we’ve got some wild trivia to share! This track, the first on the album, was penned by guitarist Robbin Crosby, lead singer Stephen Pearcy, and bassist Joey Cristofanilli, who was briefly filling in for Juan Croucier. The song’s gritty riff was born in an abandoned building on the Sunset Strip, where Cristofanilli and guitarist Warren DeMartini were squatting. Pearcy told Songfacts that the lyrics tap into that classic cowboy outlaw vibe, saying, “Everybody wants to be a cowboy, right? That’s the whole premise of that.” The song hit number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 38 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and it even made it onto the Weird Science soundtrack in 1985. Fans on Reddit still rave about its raw energy, with one user calling it a “neck-snapping” classic from the glory days of hair metal.

Another cool tidbit comes from a fan named Mark from Tucson, who shared on Songfacts that the music video for "Wanted Man" was shot at Old Tucson Studios in Arizona. The video featured local girls picked through a contest, including one dubbed “farmer’s ho,” adding to the song’s rebellious, Western-flavored swagger. On X, a post from April 2025 by @racerx_music hailed the track as a standout from Out of the Cellar, calling it a must-listen for hard rock fans. The song’s enduring appeal is clear, with X user @allen_marple listing it as a top favorite alongside “Round and Round” and “Lack of Communication” while digging through their CD collection. It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna crank the volume and hit the open road, Zoo Freaks!

Now, let’s rewind to how Ratt got their start. Formed in San Diego in 1977 as Mickey Ratt by frontman Stephen Pearcy, the band went through several lineup changes before hitting their stride in Los Angeles in the early ’80s. Pearcy rebooted the group after moving to LA, recruiting guitarist Robbin Crosby, drummer Bobby Blotzer, and eventually Warren DeMartini and Juan Croucier. According to Genius, their big break came when Milton Berle’s nephew began managing them, releasing their self-titled EP in 1983 on his label. That EP caught fire on LA rock radio, grabbing the attention of Atlantic Records president Doug Morris, who signed them. Their debut album, Out of the Cellar, dropped in 1984, and with hits like “Round and Round” and “Wanted Man,” Ratt became a cornerstone of the Sunset Strip glam metal scene, alongside rivals Mötley Crüe. Influenced by bands like Aerosmith and Kiss, they blended pop hooks with heavy metal edge, selling over 20 million albums worldwide.

Want to keep up with Ratt? Check out their official website at therattpack.com for tour dates, news, and merch. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates, though they’re not super active on X these days. Fans can also connect with Stephen Pearcy on his personal X account, where he occasionally shares throwbacks like a March 2018 post celebrating Out of the Cellar’s release. For the ultimate Zoo Freak experience, join the Ratt Pack Fan Group on Facebook, where diehards share memes, rare photos, and tour stories. There’s also Hairbangers Ball, a fan site celebrating ’80s metal, with a section dedicated to Ratt trivia and song rankings. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep rockin’ with Ratt!