Gary James' Interview With Richie Ranno Of
Hellcats
You might remember Richie Ranno from his time with Starz. Richie Ranno would go on to form other groups after Starz broke up. Those groups included Hard Core and Hellcats. Hellcats recorded an EP for Radio Records in 1982, an LP on King Klausic Records in 1987 and a four track EP in 1988. In 1989 Metal Blade Records released a Hellcats "Live In Action" LP. When we caught up with Richie Ranno, we asked him about Hellcats and Starz.
Q - Richie, I'm at somewhat of a disadvantage here because I have not heard Hellcats' music. I would guess that with a name like Hellcats, you're probably more Metal than Rock 'n' Roll. Would I be right about that?
A - Not really. In the true definition of Heavy Metal I would classify Black Sabbath as Heavy Metal.
Q - Is Radio Records your own record company?
A - Radio Records was a division of Atlantic Records. They were based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has Stars On 45, Badfinger and a few other acts. My friend, DJ Michael Ross had our Hellcats demo and played it for them. They signed us and released Hellcats.
Q - What kind of venues have you guys performed in?
A - Hellcats has never toured.
Q - Did you ever reach a point in the last few years where you thought of getting out of music altogether?
A - Maybe on a business level, but never on a musical level. I love playing, writing and recording. I don't love the business.
Q - Do you feel like you're competing with the newer bands coming up?
A - I don't really see music competitively. Selling records is where the competition comes in. And of course that's basically my record company's problem.
Q - Do you have favorite guitarists?
A - I like to listen to lots of different guitar players. No one really in particular. Although, I feel Steve Morse is the best technical guitarist around with taste.
Q - Why did Hellcats change lead singers?
A - Michael lives in L.A. and once the record company went out of business it was too expensive to have a band with members on both coasts. After a year of looking, I finally found Perry Jones, who sings great, looks great, writes great lyrics and melodies, and performs great, all of which are essential.
Q - Why did Starz break up? You had, what I consider anyway, to be the right manager, Bill Aucoin, the right record company, Capitol Records, and the right booking agency, A.T.I. (American Talent International). What went wrong?
A - All I can say is after four LPs we felt it was time for a label change. We left Capitol and then had some problems with management, all simultaneously. One day we just stopped playing together and that was that.
Q - Which is harder, to get to the top, or to try and stay at the top in the music business?
A - I wouldn't know. I never made it to the top.
© Gary James. All rights reserved.
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