“I played in Knoxville. The venue was massive – probably over 1,000 capacity – and 85 people showed up!”
— Riki Rachtman on his One Foot in the Gutter Tour

LOS ANGELES – His fascinating life a series of wild ups and downs, Riki Rachtman plans to go out with a bang.

He’s expected to perform what figures to be one of his last public appearances July 22 at Backstage Bar in Las Vegas for the grand finale of his “One Foot In The Gutter” spoken-word tour, where the 61-year-old Californian promises to cull the best of his fascinating Rock memories plus some exclusive new material and visual backgrounds.

“This is gonna be it, my last show,” Rachtman said, a hint of wistfullness in his voice that’s been heard through the years as an MTV host for Headbanger’s Ball, a national radio DJ and often as the one introducing the biggest bands in the world on concert stages.

Tickets are going fast, and they’re available HERE, so if you’re anywhere near Las Vegas, this is the place to be.

Rachtman has probably done more interviews with me personally than anyone in the world – his first job was as a DJ at my best friend’s club in the early ‘80s on Ventura Boulevard when we first met way before The Cathouse  – and in this revealing interview, Rachtman gives readers a few chestnuts that no one has heard before.

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METAL SLUDGE: You’re coming to Las Vegas this month for your “One Foot in The Gutter” tour. What are some of your memories of Las Vegas including one that’s embarrassing. 

RIKI RACHTMAN: I remember going to Las Vegas with Shannon Hoon. Blind Melon hadn’t even been signed yet, and the late singer worked for me in my office, so obviously he didn’t have a lot of money. He was amazed that he could just sit at a slot machine and get free booze. Needless to say, I ended up babysitting his drunk ass. I think about that time, and he was so naive in a beautiful way. 

I also remember all of us rolling up to the Mirage Hotel in our three-patch Cathouse vests, and all of us were detained and thrown out – and of course we hadn’t done anything! As far as I know we are still banned from the Mirage. 

Fred Coury (of Cinderella) and I thought we had a great system. This was when the machines paid coins. We would go to one booth and ask for $100 in quarters, then turn them in for cash at another booth. Go back to the original booth to buy $100 again. It looked like we kept buying coins. I would do it with bigger currency as well. We would get pretty sweet rooms that way.

METAL SLUDGE: I’m sure you’ve noticed a lot of older Hollywood rockers have move there from Vince Neil to the late Kevin DuBrow to Lonn Friend. 

RIKI: I’m surprised how many new artists as well make Las Vegas their home – but why wouldn’t they? It’s cheaper, there’s tons of places to eat, it’s open 24/7, and it seems like a pretty good rock scene. Let’s be honest: Hollywood is a fuckin’ ghost town; there is no scene like we had. Las Vegas was where we would go when we wanted to party and get out of town for a weekend. Some never went home. I have faith in downtown Las Vegas. It seems like they are trying to create a scene there.

METAL SLUDGE: You have hosted Headbangers Ball, created the Cathouse and Bordello and have been working pretty consistently in TV and radio. What are you most proud of?

RIKI: Hands down, no question, my “One Foot In The Gutter” show. Gerry, I can not begin to tell you how much I loved doing this. I mean selling out Hollywood, NYC. Nashville Charlotte two nights and even Sydney, Australia? That’s a really big deal for me. 

I expected a few negative reviews because I am aware people love to hate on me, but the reviews were outstanding. I know I sound like a pompous ass but I am so fuckin’ proud. I want these shows to be so good. I know getting a bunch of rockers to sit down for a couple hours and hear me tell stories doesn’t sound appealing to some, but the show was so much more than that. I truly believe this Las Vegas show on July 22 will be my last. I did 41 shows and this one will be filmed. There is nothing I love more than being on that stage. 

I learned a lot, too. I played in Knoxville. The venue was massive – probably over 1,000 capacity – and 85 people showed up! I called Taime Downe after my agent told me to cancel. He told me to go out play the show and “do a damn good job.” I did. I went out there and told the 85 people there that after this show we could all hang out and take pictures or whatever. It ended up being a great night. 

I’ve seen artists bitch when there isn’t a big turnout. Fuck that. Give a great show for those that did support you and showed up.

METAL SLUDGE: Your old stories about the Cathouse were spell-binding. You’ve been holding in secrets for a long-ass time!

RIKI: I’m still reminded about certain moments that truly were historic or notorious. Wow, it was an incredible scene. One that will never be duplicated. I see a lot of these metal specials on TV that make everything look all shiny and cute, but it belittles our scene in the mid- to late-80s. I knew one day I would share these stories but didn’t think it would be on stage. I also didn’t think people would want to hear the stories I tell, which is more than just calling out rockstars. Every night I relive these eras, and I’m reminded how damn lucky I was to be a part of it.

METAL SLUDGE: What do you think people are the most surprised about at your “One Foot In The Gutter” show? 

RIKI: Well obviously I never posted too much about doing and dealing drugs. I don’t mention the fights, the jail, I mean it got really low. I’m surprised I even tell those stories in my show.

METAL SLUDGE: There were some pretty dramatic rock and roll rivalries in the Cathouse era. Were you involved in any and how about today? 

RIKI: I think the best was Guns N’ Roses versus Motley Crue. It all stemmed from an event at the Cathouse. I was friends with Nikki Sixx at the time. But everybody knows I was part of the GnR camp and that Cathouse was pretty much their club. In the early days it was GnR versus Poison. I really didn’t like C.C DeVille at all. He was this loud-mouth drug addict. I remember really not liking him. I ran into him about 15 years ago. I hold grudges and thought it might even come to blows, which would have been hilarious. C.C. could not have been cooler. He looked great and was sober. He is all right in my book, and when I look back, the hostility I felt seems very petty. It makes me happy now to see Poison’s success.

METAL SLUDGE: You mentioned an issue you had with Nikki Sixx in your first show but never brought it up again. What was the problem you had?

RIKI: Ah, I don’t really talk about it. Sixx and I were very good friends. We shared a lot of good times during the late 80’s plus we got sober at the same time. As Motley Crue got more successful, he would get new cars and motorcycles and sell the old ones to me. I bought a jeep and two bikes from him. I introduced him to one of his wives and attended the wedding in Hawaii. Then he fucked a girl that I was in a serious relationship with. I know people told me, “Hey, that’s just Nikki.” 

Fuck that.

We still ran into each other a few times after, but nobody needs friends like that. I’ve done some bad things in my life. I’ve done things I am not proud of, but you don’t fuck your friend’s girl. It’s really easy for me to turn the page when someone does me wrong. He never admitted it. It’s not a feud because that would take effort.

METAL SLUDGE: How shocked were you to see your name all over the news again with those legal accusations against Axl Rose in New York? 

RIKI: I can’t comment on it, obviously, but I had never heard anything until I was in France and got a phone call from Rolling Stone magazine. I told them I need to find out what he was talking about before I comment, so he sent me the police report. While I was skimming through it, I started getting more calls from mainstream media outlets.

I didn’t realize I was the only witness because it was all based on Axl and my hotel room. I really don’t have much to say about it. They had an investigator parked outside my office for eight hours. I honestly don’t have anything to say about it, but yeah, I guess I was really surprised to be in the case,

METAL SLUDGE: When I remarked to you in L.A. that you had gone two and a half hours at your Hollywood show, you told me you’ve actually gone longer. Were you just messing? 

RIKI: I have no producer or writer. Sometimes I don’t know if a certain story is going to grab the audiences attention until I see their faces from the stage. For the first show I put it all out there and the first show SOLD OUT. In Charlotte, North Carolina, it went 3 1/2 hours. That is way too long, but those in attendance never mentioned the duration. For this Las Vegas show, I am taking all the best from the prior 41 shows and adding more video and more stories.

METAL SLUDGE: How fun was it to see your old friends in L.A. again? Is loyalty important to you?

RIKI: Loyalty is everything to me. 

I love my friends, and it means everything to me, and the good ones I’m still in touch with. I believe Taime and I are closer now than we were when we were roommates. I love riding motorcycles with Gilby Clarke and Taime because I did that when all we could afford was a 250 Honda. My favorite thing to do still is to sit at a table and just tell stories.

METAL SLUDGE: When Slash told you to back off years ago after partying for five days straight with Axl, did you tell anyone? 

RIKI: I was so fucked up on drugs, it didn’t affect me at all. Especially because Slash was pretty fucked up at the time, too. I love Slash and Duff. If you look at Slash, Duff and myself, I can’t think of any three people that have changed more drastically. I’ll throw Taime in that mix. Sober Taime is a way better Taime.

METAL SLUDGE: Let’s go back to the glory days. How about some stories about the old Tropicana club?

RIKI: Ya know, the Tropicana was probably as big a factor in the Cathouse’s success as the bands that hung out there. We all went to Tropicana club. The women were gorgeous. 

Today we think about mud wrestling, and it seems so wrong, so degrading – and I guess it was to an extent. The woman that worked there had all the power, though. I think the first woman I dated from the, um, mud wrestler/stripper/pornstar world, was a girl named Robi. She had me pick her up from work because a guy had touched her breast, and she broke his nose. It really was a crazy decadent time. We all went there, and when they weren’t working, they all – and I mean ALL – went to Cathouse. That was the start that gave us that reputation of a sleazy, decadent rock club.

METAL SLUDGE: Wikipedia has you listed as dating many porn stars back in the day. Most people knew about Janine but did you really date Linda Lovelace and Tracii Lords, too? 

RIKI: Hell no. When Linda Lovelace was at her peak, I was nine years old – and I have no idea where the Tracii Lords rumor started. I’ve met her. She even introduced me at the Cathouse fifth anniversary party, but never, ever, did I date her. On a side note she was always very cool.

METAL SLUDGE: In the 80’s who got the most girls? You, Taime or Axl?

RIKI: Well of the three, I know I would be third. Women loved Axl, and they were drawn to him because he truly was that bad boy, but I think he was fairly selective. I would easily put Taime on top of that list. I’m sure he will hate me telling this story, but when we were roommates, he had one girl banging on the door while another girl was in his room. He took the one girl and put her in my room and well …

METAL SLUDGE: These days you seem to be in a great marriage with Lea Vendetta from the show “Inkmaster.”  

RIKI: I mean c’mon, I scored, I’m glad we met when we did. Our marriage is the most important thing to me, and it’s easy. She’s gorgeous, she gets me, and oh yeah, she’s a French tattoo artist. I still have a big crush on Lea even though we have been together almost seven years..

METAL SLUDGE: Whose call was it back then as to who would get in free to the Cathouse. I think I visited like 15 times, technically as a member of the press, and you always comped me. How common was that? Was it like half pay, half get in free?

RIKI: I was the one that made the decision. I would hang out at the door. Of course Taime would throw some people on the list. We were actually fairly tight on the guest list because I kept the prices really low. Whether it was Keith Cooper, Joey or John at the door, we always took care of the people that supported us. It never was a big money-making venture. Taime and I had no idea that it would become legendary. I’m sure we let you in because you helped us grow. I know a lot of very attractive woman would be surprised that they didn’t get in free like they would at most clubs. We never had a velvet rope because back then I was actually the guy that didn’t get in to the cool clubs. I am not so easy with my shows today. I’m the one paying for hotels and vans and crew. I pay at clubs myself these days. I think if everybody paid we would have had more clubs today. I don’t go to anybody’s work an ask for shit for free. This is my job.

Then  again if someone busted their ass in helping to promote my show, of course I would take care of them.

METAL SLUDGE: And finally, what’s next for Riki Rachtman? Maybe you can be a manager? 

RIKI: Nah I’m not going to be a manager. Let’s be honest, I’m old. I’m of the age that when I tell people I’m old, they don’t even reply with “Oh you’re not old.” I am. I know it every time I wake up. I want the mic drop. I want the finale. In my soul, my tour would be a good finale, but I think I really have to do a book or try to work on a show or a movie based on the show.

I still have two offices that sell Cathouse Hollywood merch worldwide, and I’ve had a small craft coffee company by the way, too. Everything I do is at cathousehollywood.com. I don’t know what I’m going to do. It’s actually a little scary. I love TV and I love radio but at this point I want to do things my way. I do know that eventually I’m going to wrap up while I’m healthy. Do one event, maybe Cathouse 40th anniversary, thank everyone and then disappear. I don’t want to be 65 and still trying to do something. I want to relax, see more live bands. Ride motorcycles around the world. I want to not stress – which would be a first!

Hey what if I opened one of those school of rock things and talked to kids about rock n roll? That would be pretty cool.

All I’m thinking now is Las Vegas. Hmm, open a Cathouse bar in Vegas? Oh here I go again!

Riki Rachtman @ WebSite – Facebook – Instagram – X/Twitter – TikTok – YouTube – Store – Vegas Tix

See other Riki Rachtman and Cathouse related articles on Metal Sludge shared below.

September 1st 2022
RIKI LIVE … Riki Rachtman Announces His First Ever Live Spoken Word Show “One Foot In The Gutter”

January 11th 2021
RIKI RANTMAN … Ex-Headbanger’s Ball Veejay Riki Rachtman goes on Rant about trying to Host Video Show for SiriusXM says: “F#@k Em!”

March 31st 2020
BRUTAL … Faster Pussycat’s Chad Stewart details his ugly Coronavirus Experience on Riki’s RRR Podcast

October 6th 2016
SOLD OUT! Twisted Sister headlines Riki Rachtman’s Cathouse anniversary at “The Roxy”

May 10th 2016
Riki Rachtman; ‘I don’t want to do another rock festival. I can do better’

August 4th 2015
Pu, Pu, Pu, PUSSYCAT! MUSCAT not BABYLON ON about possible FASTER PUSSYCAT reunion at CATHOUSE LIVE

July 22nd 2015
Cathouse Live announce schedule

July 19th 2015
CELEBRATION ON THE SUNSET STRIP … Riki Rachtman hosts Rainbow press party for Cathouse Live event

July 10th 2015
Like A Live Version of Headbangers Ball! … Rock impresario Riki Rachtman hosts Cathouse Live

July 10th 2014
Former MTV VJ Riki Rachtman to travel 8,000 miles (1 lap) around America on summer Harley-Davidson ride.

Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gerryg123@gmail.com

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