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What Is Warren DeMartini Net Worth’ Net Worth
Warren DeMartini, an American musician renowned as the lead guitarist for the glam metal band Ratt, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $4 million. This wealth stems primarily from his successful music career, marked by album sales, royalties, and touring with Ratt, one of the most prominent bands of the 1980s glam metal scene.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on April 10, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois, Warren Justin DeMartini spent his early years in River Forest, Illinois, before his family relocated to San Diego, California. Music was a significant part of his upbringing; his older brothers, Bernard and James, played in a band that rehearsed in their basement, sparking Warren’s interest in rock music. His grandmother also contributed to his musical foundation, having played piano accompaniment to silent movies in Preston, Minnesota. At around seven or eight years old, Warren’s mother bought him his first guitar. However, he struggled with the instrument due to its poor quality and eventually smashed it in frustration, emulating Pete Townshend of The Who. Determined to pursue music, he saved up at the age of 14 to purchase a Cimar Les Paul copy, marking the true beginning of his guitar journey. The first song he learned to play was “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream, which he mastered by ear.
Warren played his first concert with his band the Plague in front of a small crowd at San Diego’s La Jolla High School at the age of 15. By this time he was emerging as one of the San Diego area’s most talented and sought-after young guitar players. The first year he signed up, he won “Best New Guitar Player in San Diego” at Guitar Trader on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. He graduated from high school in 1981. DeMartini began taking classes at a local college, but in the first semester was invited up to Los Angeles to join Mickey Ratt, the band that would eventually become the highly successful 1980s metal band Ratt.
In 1982, DeMartini replaced Jake E. Lee as Ratt’s lead guitarist. His dynamic playing became a cornerstone of the band’s sound. He co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including “Round and Round,” “Lay It Down,” “Dance,” and “Way Cool Jr.” Throughout the 1980s, Ratt released a series of successful albums, cementing their place in rock history.
Ratt’s self-titled debut album was released independently in 1983, soon leading to a major-label contract with Atlantic Records. In 1984, the LP Out of the Cellar hit the U.S. top ten, selling over three million copies, with its first single “Round and Round” reaching number twelve on Billboard’s singles chart.
Ratt’s Album Sales and Music Career
Ratt achieved considerable commercial success throughout the 1980s. “Out of the Cellar,” released in 1984, achieved triple platinum status, selling over 3 million copies. Their other successful albums include: “Invasion of Your Privacy” (1985): Continued their success with tracks like “Lay It Down.” Reaching sales of 2,000,000 copies. “Dancing Undercover” (1986): Showcased their evolving sound and included the single “Dance.” Reaching sales of 1,000,000 copies. “Reach for the Sky” (1988): Featured “Way Cool Jr.,” highlighting DeMartini’s blues-influenced style, also reaching sales of 1,000,000 copies. “The Atlantic Years” limited edition box set, celebrating RATT’s massively successful period where all five of their studio albums were certified GOLD, PLATINUM or MULTI-PLATINUM (for combined album sales of over 20 MILLION). Ratt has sold an estimated 10 million records in the U.S., while worldwide album sales are approximated at over 18 million.
Ratt’s discography during their peak years includes:
- Ratt EP (1983): Their debut release that set the stage for their future success.
- Out of the Cellar (1984): Featuring the hit “Round and Round,” this album achieved triple platinum status.
- Invasion of Your Privacy (1985): Continued their success with tracks like “Lay It Down.”
- Dancing Undercover (1986): Showcased their evolving sound and included the single “Dance.”
- Reach for the Sky (1988): Featured “Way Cool Jr.,” highlighting DeMartini’s blues-influenced style.
Additional Career Ventures and Earnings
Beyond his work with Ratt, Warren DeMartini has participated in various musical projects. After Ratt initially disbanded in 1992, he briefly joined Dokken and toured with Whitesnake in 1994. In 1995, he released his solo EP, “Surf’s Up,” followed by his full-length album, “Crazy Enough to Sing to You,” in 1996. Ratt reunited in 1996, releasing “Collage” in 1997 and a self-titled album in 1999. Warren DeMartini also wrote the homage “Guitarist Turns Zappa Stylist” for the Guitar Player Magazine booklet “Zappa!” in 1992.
DeMartini has also worked as an actor and composer, contributing to soundtracks for films such as “The Golden Child” (1986), “The Wrestler” (2008), and “That’s My Boy” (2012).
While specific details regarding endorsement deals, session work income, or royalties earned by Warren DeMartini are not publicly available, these ventures have undoubtedly contributed to his overall wealth. Warren is often considered one of the most underrated guitarists of the ’80s metal scene. After Ratt’s initial breakup in the early ’90s, Warren worked on several projects outside of the band. By the mid-2000s, Warren shifted his focus to working behind the scenes in the music industry, serving as an A&R representative and working on guitar collaborations. Today, his net worth sits at around $4 million, thanks to royalties, session work, and wise financial management.
Personal Life
Warren DeMartini married Kathy Naples on February 26, 1988. They have two children, Marion Shirlet Demartini and Wyatt Justin Demartini. Details about his assets, such as properties or investments, are not publicly disclosed.
