Biography - Rats Fan Club '79

A Rats Eye View of America '79
by Gerry Cott

In January and February, Bob and Johnnie flew to the U.S.A on a promotional tour to prepare the way for Rats for The Rats invasion of the states. While there they visited thirty-two cities in thirty-two days doing radio, television and press interviews.

On February 26th. we finally arrived in the states (even though it did take all of 20 hours to get there) No we didn't hang-glide all the way - just a British Airways flight. Would you believe it, one of the engines blew up as we flew over the Irish sea.

First stop Los Angeles - straight out of Barnaby Jones - If you live in L.A. seems to me you're either a famous rock n' roller or to make it big in the movies, G-R-E-A-T!

We made the inevitable trip to Disneyland which lived up to it's reputation, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Tomorrowland, just like the telly (by now you must have guessed I'm a T.V. freak). From Los Angeles we went to San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland - not exactly a straight line but who cares ! In Vancouver, we were presented with the keys to the city sewers. Apparently, they're heavily into Rats in Vancouver.

Next stop was Toronto which was great. We played two nights at El Mocambo, that's the place where the Rolling Stones recorded their 'Love You Live' LP.

Ever played with a leopard ? - We did. the day we played Albany, this madman came into the soundcheck with his pet leopard ! If I get my snaps back from the chemist in time you can check him out. While in California, we were joined by an Irish T.V. crew to shoot a documentary on our first tour. Perhaps you'll be seeing the results on their visit on television soon.

Half-way through the tour we returned to L.A to play an unbelievable gig in a ladies underwear shop called 'Fredrick's of Hollywood' (where all the movie stars buy their knickers, or so they say) The following day we played at The World Music Festival in front of 90,000 people - a nice bit of variety, don't you think ?

After 77 days and 28,000 miles, our last gig was The Palladium in New York City. Apparently, John Travolta wanted to come along but all the tickets were sold. Poor John, I understand he was so disappointed.

By the time you read this, the new single "I Don't Like Mondays" will have been released. It's been a while since we had a single out so we hope you like it as much as we do.

Right now we're rehearsing songs for the new album which will be released in the autumn. Also at that time we'll be touring all over the U.K. In the next newsletter, we'll have details of how Fan Club members can get tickets specially reserved for any of those concerts

After the U.K tour we'll be back off to America, So that's all for now except to say a special thanks to all those of you who came to Loch Lomond

See you soon.

GERRY

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