The Los Angeles Daily News reports:
A founding member of the 1980s rock band Ratt is suing another original member, alleging he is bringing suits in the name of the group and falsely advertising his tribute band as the real thing.
“This case arises from the drummer of the rock band Ratt trying to take over the band and pawn himself and a cast of subordinates off as the genuine article,” lawyers for plaintiff Warren “Torch” DeMartini state in the lawsuit filed against Bobby Blotzer in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday, [September 29th].
The 52-year-old DeMartini is Ratt’s founding lead guitarist and Blotzer, the original drummer.
The suit alleges Blotzer, 56, is putting his interests ahead of those of the band. The complaint also seeks a court order directing Blotzer not to file further actions in the name of Ratt or its management company, WBS Inc., of which he and DeMartini are 50 percent shareholders.
A representative for Blotzer could not be immediately reached.
According to the suit, the four remaining members of Ratt disagree on whether the band should continue to tour together. Blotzer and some members have toured until recently in tribute bands, which do not violate any prior agreements, the suit states.
However, Blotzer is now promoting his tribute band as if it is the actual group, the suit alleges.
“In essence, Blotzer wants to hijack the name and tour under the name Ratt,” the suit states. “Defendant Blozter intends to fool Ratt’s fans by touring with himself, a drummer, and a group of imposters calling themselves Ratt.”
DeMartini believes that touring with “inferior substitutes” dilutes the value of the band and damages its credibility in the future, according to the lawsuit.
On Sept. 3, over the objections of DeMartini, Blotzer held an annual WBS shareholder meeting in which he elected himself chairman of the board and president in place of the plaintiff, the suit states.
Blotzer ignored a cease-and-desist letter from DeMartini’s lawyers and instead filed an unauthorized trademark infringement action against 56-year-old Ratt bassist, Juan Croucier, the suit alleges.
Both Blotzer and Croucier attended Torrance High School, according to Wikipedia. They played with the band Dokken in the late 1970s before joining Ratt.
Ratt’s hits include the song Round and Round.
source: dailynews.com
7 Responses
So now Warren is now, “Torch?” This is just as silly as Neil Geraldo wanting to be called, “Spider” now.
From a legal standpoint, Warren will sue, and he will lose. He will do nothing but spend both time and money, as well as creating a larger rift between himself and his ex band mates.
They had a great 30 yr run. Pack it in and call it a career before it gets even more embarrassing. Last week Juan played in a bar that had a couple dozen people in it. There is no pride, and even worse, no shame. Any bets which member will be the first to take the stage 20 years from now in a wheelchair?
Is there really a need for any version of Ratt to still be playing? What are they fighting for? The right to play a gig in front of a 30 people at a dive bar? I can’t even imagine a reunion show drawing more than a couple hundred people. Pack it in, boys.