WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND '80S BAND RATT IS CLOSE TO A REUNION.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - It's been 23 years since metal band Ratt first rose to stardom, and drummer Bobby Blotzer remains a rock star in every sense of the word.

A consistent headliner in its prime at the Southland's largest venues such as the Forum, the L.A. Sports Arena and Irvine Meadows, Ratt had its ups and downs through the years - who hasn't? - but was still popular enough to fill the Greek Theatre a couple of months back.

Blotzer, 46, of Canyon Country still has dreams of something bigger, just as he did when Ratt first started in the late 1980s on the Sunset Strip. He's hoping to organize a Ratt reunion tour with the group's beloved original singer Stephen Pearcy, who quit five years ago in an ugly split, and if it happens, Ratt just might enjoy a sensational comeback like that of Motley Crue.

``We're trying to come to terms with Stephen, and we're very close,'' said Blotzer, sitting on a couch in his living room surrounded by platinum records on the wall. ``The guys in Motley Crue are going to make $10 million each this year. We've always been a little under them as far as touring - but not very far behind.''

Part of Blotzer and Co.'s motivation is a new VH1 ``Behind the Music'' special on Ratt that's scheduled to air early next year.

``I think the 'Behind the Music' thing really opened up the channels of communication again, and it's long overdue because Ratt was a huge band and we deserve the acknowledgment,'' Blotzer said.

Pearcy's departure brought lawsuits - Pearcy sued Ratt and Ratt sued Pearcy - but Blotzer said the legal hassles had been solved.

``Now it's just a matter of settling some issues at hand,'' Blotzer said. ``We're negotiating, and that's a step in the right direction because a year ago, (guitarist) Warren DiMartini wouldn't have even discussed it.''

If Pearcy does rejoin, it could be a wonderful thing, said Kenny Kerner, a veteran producer and industry insider.

``There really is no Ratt without Stephen Pearcy - he's the guy,'' Kerner said. ``I think Ratt has always been a mainstay. You look at Pollstar, and of the top-grossing touring bands, half of them are bands from the '70s and '80s. Bands like Ratt never go out of business unless they break up.''

Sometimes Blotzer still can't believe Ratt's ride has continued all these years.

``In the days when we first started, the average band's life span was 10 years,'' Blotzer said. ``Even the Beatles lasted less than 10 years.

``For us, it's been 23 years, and we just finished a 64-date tour and the demographics of the crowds were great. It's really been an unbelievable ride.''

These days, Blotzer scoffs at the top-10 charts.

``Today's music scene? I'm disgusted because all this hip-hop music is like a plague,'' he said. ``I just don't understand how they can glamorize this prison mentality. When we were on the charts, rock bands glamorized cars and girls and fun - not guns and all this shoot-'em-up stuff.''

As things have turned out, Ratt's biggest hits ``Back for More'' and ``Round and Round'' have provided accurate symbolism because the band has never quit and its members could soon be as popular as ever if things go their way.

``We're like old dogs,'' he said. ``You look at bands like the Stones and Aerosmith, and they're becoming stronger every year. There's a lot of power behind hard rock.''

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

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(1 -- 2) Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer, above in his Canyon Country home, hopes to reunite with all former members of the group for a series of concerts, like one at the Forum, below.