He is best known for his association with the late 1980s and early-to-mid 1990s hard rock and heavy metal scene, hosting MTV's Headbangers Ball from 1990 to the show's cancellation in 1995,[1][2] and he was the owner of the Hollywood-based nightclub The Cathouse.

Rachtman had a brief appearance as a wedding guest in Guns N' Roses' music video "November Rain".

From August 1993 to January 1996, Rachtman co-hosted the radio advice program Loveline with Dr. Drew Pinsky, before being joined by Adam Carolla in October 1995.

[4] Rachtman had previously appeared on WCW programming as a guest co-host for the May 30, 1992, edition of Saturday Night.

Starting in 2020, Rachtman became a part of the American Flat Track motorcycle racing series as an on air personality and hype man at all the live events.

Rachtman was the owner of The Cathouse nightclub, for many years a showcase for many of the heavy metal bands that were featured on Headbangers Ball.

[4] Rachtman and the Cathouse club are featured in the Penelope Spheeris documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years.

Rachtman Co-hosted the 2007 reunion show for Rock of Love,[17] which starred his friend, Poison frontman Bret Michaels.

[4] In 1994, Rachtman told Chris Cornell on a Soundgarden episode of The Headbanger's Ball that he used to live in New Zealand.