Hager was 67
Christopher (Chris) Hager, founding guitarist of Mickey Ratt which ultimate evolved into the 80s rock band Ratt, has passed away at the age of 67. Founding member Stephen Pearcy shared the news on social media, saying the pair were working on new music together that will be released.
“This morning I’m very saddened to hear about the passing of my dear friend, guitarist and musician Christopher (Chris) Hager. Chris and I started Mickey Ratt together in San Diego 1977 and in moving to L.A. actually created the band RATT in 1981,” Pearcy writes on X. “Chris was an amazing person, a great guitarist, songwriter and so committed to being just that. He went on to create a few projects over the years with Sarge, Rough Cutt, Woop and the Count and our solo project Pearcy/Hager. We were actually working on new songs recently, and they will be heard. I’m at loss my friend, we’ve been through a lot together. God bless you brother. As of this time the family would respect privacy.”
Hager left Mickey Ratt in 1981 before they became the major act Ratt. He sought a more melodic musical direction and joined Rough Cutt as a guitarist, replacing Jake E. Lee.
Hager has also been involved in projects with Pearcy after his time in Ratt, under the name Pearcy/Hager. More recently, he has toured internationally with Stephen Pearcy’s solo band.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1981, Ratt was featured as an unsigned act on Uncle Joe Benson’s Local Licks Drive Time Show on KLOS-FM. This was their first time on radio and led to their signing to Atlantic Records.
Featuring the classic line up of vocalist Stephen Pearcy, guitarists Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby, bassist Juan Croucier, and drummer Bobby Blotzer, Ratt exploded on to the national scene in 1984 with the release of Out of the Cellar.
This morning I’m very saddened to hear about the passing of my dear friend, guitarist and musician Christopher (Chris) Hager. Chris and I started Mickey Ratt together in San Diego 1977 and in moving to L.A. actually created the band RATT in 1981.
Chris was an amazing person, a… pic.twitter.com/0hJo8iDmKI— STEPHEN E PEARCY (@StephenEPearcy) May 19, 2025
