Ratt [ tickets ]'s latest U.S. tour has been called off due to singer Stephen Pearcy's refusal to participate. A spokesman for the Agency for Performing Arts, Ratt's booking agency, confirmed the tour cancellation: "Stephen Pearcy has left the band. There is no Ratt as of this time."

Byron Hontas of Union Entertainment Group, the band's management company, declined to speculate on how Pearcy's decision was received by the band. But a statement on Ratt's official website suggests that the band was less than thrilled with Pearcy's choice.

''Two days ago Stephen Pearcy suddenly, unexpectedly, voluntarily, and unexplainably informed the band & management that he was pulling out of the upcoming tour,'' the statement said. ''All of the other band members, along with management, have tried unsuccessfully--at incredible length--appealing to Pearcy to change his mind and meet his obligations to the fans, the band, and the tour. All efforts have failed without consideration.''

The nine-date tour was to have begun Thursday (1/20) at the Sun Theatre in Anaheim, Calif., and after a short spate of West Coast dates, ended March 3 at Gussie la'Mores in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hontas recommended that fans contact promoters in their respective cities regarding ticket refunds.

Formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, Ratt enjoyed its greatest success with ''Round and Round'' from its 1984 effort ''Out of the Cellar.'' Subsequent recordings continued to go platinum, but sales tapered off considerably with each release and the quintet split in 1992, reuniting and recording a self-titled LP last year.