While Riki Rachtman may be best known for hosting MTV’s ‘Headbanger’s Ball,’ his roots and contributions to the rock scene run far deeper than you might imagine. In 1986, Rachtman and long-time friend Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat founded one of the most infamous establishments in rock history — The Cathouse! The legendary club was at the epicenter of the Hollywood Rock scene and hosted some of the genre’s biggest bands for unannounced shows. However, it wasn’t the performances by bands like Guns N’ Roses, Motorhead, Alice Cooper, Pearl Jam, Faster Pussycat, Black Crowes that put Cathouse on the map. It was the sleaze and debauchery, the raunch ‘n’ roll! During the club’s epic run, Rachtman enforced a no camera rule at the Cathouse, ensuring that anything could and did happen! Those stories have never been told… until now!
“Riki Rachtman’s Cathouse Hollywood Podcast” not only explores the wild nights experienced by the club’s clientele during the Sunset Strip’s most decadent era but the impact those nights often had on rock ‘n’ roll history. From recounting the early days of his misspent youth, a chance encounter with Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear that may have sparked the idea for Cathouse or the legendary feud between Axl Rose and Vince Neil, Rachtman pulls no punches. It’s an unfiltered look his life, the friendships he formed and the far-reaching impact the club had on everyone who walked through the club’s doors. Along the way, you’ll also be treated to first-hand accounts and unforgettable stories from Taime Downe, Fred Coury (Cinderella), Dave Ellefson (Megadeth), Patrick Muzingo (Junkyard), Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses) and more. Recently, Riki even took the show on the road for his first live podcast event beamed out to the world directly from the Sunset Strip.
One of the most intriguing podcasts around, it’s truly a must-listen for die-hard rock ‘n’ roll junkies and casual pop culture enthusiasts alike! Subscribe, listen and rate today on iTunes!
Swing by the official Cathouse Hollywood Facebook page for the latest updates and episodes.
Jason Price founded the mighty Icon Vs. Icon more than a decade ago. Along the way, he’s assembled an amazing group of like-minded individuals to spread the word on some of the most unique people and projects on the pop culture landscape.
