Robbin Crosby Passes Away
By
Rob Jones,
Founder
Thursday, June 6, 2002 @ 6:58 PM
Crosby Loses His Battle
Former Ratt Guitarist Robbin Crosby lost his battle today with HIV. A longtime member of Ratt, Crosby was a big part of penning some of Ratt's most familiar songs.
Robin will be missed.
Our condolences go out to his friends and family.
Dick_of_Death - 8/8/2007 3:33:33 PM The King will never die as long as we have each other who dug his efforts his self and all the times we had whilest listening to him on the records. And his dream life did come true" He poured a pile of @###$$$ atop a pinball machine... and then stood back ,( his tall self,, i can just see it,) and then said Oh fuck Oh fuck Oh fuck over and over!"
heroin - 7/18/2007 9:27:22 PM I'm always the last to find out it seems and the news of Crosby's death really shakes me as I had met him in a mall, along with one of his phenomanolly hot chicks he was dating. That's the first time I saw him just as a regular guy. We will all miss him as most of the comments on this web site state-- and the ones about fag bashing and how bad he was as a guitarist?? ..get a life loser..why in hell go on to a site and rate a band you hate unless your own life is so pathetic you've got nothing better to do?!?! Not a second more on that subject, but if it were so easy to get in a glam rock band and "make-it" by a little dressup and make-up we all would of done it. Without skill you don't get in any band even remotely close to Ratt so wake-up sleepers, he was a great rythym guitarist, obviously to this musician, and I 've been playing for years. We will all miss you again Robin, know that!
takepix4u - 3/7/2007 10:17:23 PM I just discovered this website doing a search on some of my old 80's favorites. I met Robin once in St. Louis and he stopped and took the time to sign an autograph for me and talk to me for a couple min. It was on the Round and Round tour when Bon Jovi was opening for them. Ratt was already by far my favorite group and just him taking the time to stop and talk to a 16 year old kid for a few minutes meant the world to me. He will always be remembered as a great man.
I am also a professional photographer and I would love to be able to photograph a group with as much personality and stage presence as Ratt had back in the 80's. I've photographed many groups and none have come close.
AGGOZZUR - 1/20/2007 7:35:29 AM Does it make them a bad band because they used make-up, hairspray & wore shiny clothes with bandana's wrapped around their legs? Wasn't KISS and quite a few other groups 5-10yrs before these guys using make-up to enhance their impact and expression element? What difference does it make what you wear? Look at Marilyn Manson today & SLIPKNOT, MUSHROOM HEAD, DIMEBAG'S BEARD (I LOVE DIMEBAG -BUT STILL), CRADDLE OF FILTH, MUDVAYNE, Theres TONS of bands using make-up and having 'fuck you' in your face attitudes and that does not mean their music is bad just you don't like thier image. Warren DiMartini is a fuckin' INSANE guitar player. Infact, I will go as far as to say that he is pioneering in his technique (Slide Tapping with his pinky, incredible pentatonic, linear scale licks that STILL sound refreshing to this day) And maybe Mr. Crosby didn't have as extensive a talent as Warren (& maybe he didn't play much on the albums either?) But, he gave it his all on stage and held down a tight rythme guitar for the band and played duet leads with Warren cleanly and seamlessly. He held his own and like it or not he was one of the forces in RATT that propelled them to stardom. They are great power chord driven band with enough melody to make it -I think- pleasing to the hear. People... He was the only DOWN TO EARTH member of the band. He gave the love back to the people. What did anyone of the other more talented members do for their fans except act like they were too good to be bothered by the people who give them their paychecks? Robin was a great guy -Maybe not to himself- But he was a good guy from what I am reading. It bothers me to see anyone in the throws of addiction. Layne Staley -He broke my heart. In stead of bitching about what losers these people are maybe we should take the all and put them in a hole in the ground and just feed them and give them water and make them exercise and detox them and make sure the are rehabituated with good self intention and have their mind in the right place. Anyone can have a pro-active mouth but are you PRO-ACTION? STOP WITH THE NONSENSE COMMENTS!!! ANYONE CAN TALK SHIT BUT PUT YOURSELF IN SOMEONE'S SHOES WHO HAS ANY ADDICTION: EATING TOO MUCH, ALCOHOL, CIGGARETTES... YOU FOT IN SOME WHERE IN THERE... WOULDN'T YOU LIKE SOMEONE TO HELP SAVE YOU?
80s_child - 12/22/2006 12:06:11 PM He didn't lose his battle, he ended it.
80s_child - 12/22/2006 12:04:30 PM Ok, there seems to be some very misinformed people out there. One, Robbin Crosby died from a Heroin overdose. Although he did have full blown AIDS, it wasn't AIDS that killed him. Robbin gave himself a lethal dose of the drug he had been addicted to for years. Read this, it should answer any questions that you have about Robbin.
:Not much is known about Robbin's personal life. He was born in La Jolla, California, and he had two sisters. There are rumors that Robbin was related to Bing Crosby, he even said this himself, but the rumors were never proven. Robbin was 6'6" tall, and weighed around 245 pounds at his healthiest.
He joined Ratt in 1982 and made a major songwriting contribution to the band, penning many of Ratt's hits including "Round and Round", "I'm Insane", "Back for More" and "Lay it Down". However, co-lead guitarist Warren DeMartini played more lead guitar in the band and wrote and recorded most of the guitar solos and riffs, which made Ratt one the biggest rock acts in the mid-1980's but launched Robbin into depression, which eventually led to his drug addiction.
He bought a nice house in the Los Angeles area in which he proudly displayed his platinum albums, and a few cars including a 1979 Ferrari Dino. He dated Tawny Kitaen and Apollonia Kotero and eventually married Playboy Playmate Laurie Carr in 1987. They had no children. He had a reputation for the "rock and roll lifestyle" during Ratt's heyday, and he was a habitual heroin user for some time; allegedly it was Nikki Sixx who introduced him to the drug in Ratt's earlier days.
Interviewers in the 80's almost always mentioned that Robbin was a sweet person and a true gentleman who gave thoughful interviews, things rarely mentioned about his peers in the business. There's footage on Ratt:The Video that shows the rest of the members running through crowds to the limo giving a wave on the way but Robbin would take the time to shake his fans' hands, sign autographs and accept gifts, which showed that he truly loved his fans.
By 1990, the pressure of fame and living the "rock and roll lifestyle" finally got to him, and Crosby's use of heroin and other drugs began taking over his life. There would be shows where he literally couldn't play. Due to the shame he had placed on his band and himself, he left Ratt. Later, Crosby worked as a producer for metal band Lillian Axe, but always felt guilty for wounding his own band, Ratt.
Eventually he lost everything: his wife, his house and cars along with his place in Ratt. Between his habit and his divorce, the millions he acquired in Ratt all went down the drain. In addition, it is often said that Crosby's habits eventually sent Ratt into a deadly spin that would never be fully recovered from.
In 2001, Robbin Crosby publicly admitted that he had full-blown AIDS. He had been in and out of the hospital for eight years dealing with back problems and health issues associated with the AIDS virus.
He tried to work on musical projects, including one with ex-Ratt bassist Juan Croucier but relasped on heroin after moving a friend from his past, who was still using, into his new apartment; Robbin was generous to a fault and couldn't let his friend end up on the street even though it was risky to have that influence around him again. Crosby died of a heroin overdose (not of AIDS as often believed) in Los Angeles on June 6, 2002, two months prior to his 43rd birthday.
At the time of his death Crosby had also changed physically, due to a pancreatic condition that changed his metabolism; the once handsome blonde guitarist had gained significant weight since his '80s glam heyday. He was quoted as saying in an interview just before his death:
"Apparently my pancreas has given up and I'm not metabolizing food the way I should. It's real frustrating.... I have a roommate that probably weighs 150 lbs. and he eats a lot more than I do. It's not like I'm a pig or a slob."
In a 1999 interview that was first televised in 2006, Robbin stated:
"When I die, nobody cry at my funeral, in fact let's all have a party; I lived all my dreams and more."
According to an autopsy report after his death, Crosby weighed over 400 pounds.[1]
Robbin's remains were cremated. The memorial was at WindanSea Beach in La Jolla CA; friends and family on surfboards spread his ashes out at sea.
Formula44DD - 11/21/2006 10:59:58 AM Man I still miss Robin & his playing.
cyber_waste - 11/15/2006 7:45:36 PM It's nice to see all of the fans of robin still leaving messages here.......but what really gets to me is all you fools talking about glam-rock and fags. which really has nothing to do with the fact that a great man like the "KING" has left this world.His writting skills will be greatly missed by not only me, but many of the eara's musicians."KING" you will Live forever in our hearts.
dbinlv - 9/9/2006 10:04:16 PM Today is 9-9-06. I just watched Ratt, behind the music and learned of Robin Crosby's death, that obviously happened 4 years ago. God rest his soul! Ratt was part of my record collection and an influence on my guitar playing. It was 80's rock that all of us teenage rockers listened to. Anyway, it's sad knowing he's gone. Take care and Gog bless.
Chernjason - 7/31/2006 11:39:04 AM Boy am I out of the loop. Just found out Robin passed away today. Thanks for bringing much happiness to my eighties rocker days Robin! May God bless his family and friends.
Crosby_fan - 6/28/2006 2:56:53 PM Thanks crosby for playing u r da fucking best.I always listen to ur band.Stepen Pearcy,Juan Croucier, N Warren Demartini r da fucking best so thanks 4 bein there u r always da best.......RIP
Motley1981 - 2/21/2006 6:37:28 PM Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It doesn't matter what RATT looked like, bandanas, transvestites, posers, whatever. It was all about the attitude. When we were 15 and 16 years old, who the fuck cared about whether any band were good musicians?? It was all about hanging out, drinking and gettin laid. I've seen Judas Priest many times in concert and yes they are awesome, but it's different music from 80's glam. The fact of the matter is, when I was down the Jersey shore when I was in 10th grade, I played "Out of the Cellar" and "Too Fast for Love" over and over again. When we were hanging out on the boardwalk trying to pick up chicks and I was drunk, not one of us were thinking about whether Robin Crosby could play the guitar good. All we knew was that Ratt and Motley looked cool and sounded cool and metal chicks were hot as hell. The 80's was the best time for me. When I was in 9th grade and Live Wire came on MTV, that was it for me.
StacyMarie7 - 1/26/2006 1:33:20 PM It was 20 years ago that I broke my wrist in a frenzied attempt to reach Robbin onstage. Just a Ratt-crazed teenage-girl, that was me. There he stood, axe in hand, smiling devilishly as he told the security prick to release his adoring fan. I got the best hug of my life that night, even as my broken bones started to swell. At Robbin's instruction, the EMT and I watched the rest of the show from the wings. He made a mark on my life, one that symbolizes what it was to be a rock and roll chick in the early 80s. Robbin: the beauty of your soul will be with me always.
Vilnius - 11/30/2005 6:59:10 PM Priest1 (Below) Called it "FAG METAL" but his BOY "ROB HALFORD" not only sucked cock but then took it out of his mouth and shoved it up his ASS! Priest1 Still found his way on this site...and EVERYONE on this site Including Priest1 at one point or another thought for maybe a split second that RATT was the greatest band of all time......WE WERE KIDS and there is NO "SHAME,SHAME,SHAME" in that at all!
Vilnius - 11/30/2005 6:52:35 PM I suspected for a very long time that Robin Crosby couldnt play guitar. He probably Funded the bands first Record and was really like a manager who wanted the lymlight and the perks....which is probably what killed him! RATT was a good group and i do agree Demartini had talent, but the most talented of the group Musician wise was probably Yuan....who i hear got really FAT like Don Dokken and that FAG lead singer from Loverboy. I Liked RATT because i was Kid, and it was better listening to them than LED ZEPPELIN and PINK FLOYD because RATT was of MY generation. RATT was still the 2nd TOP Hair-Band behing THE CRUE and they always put on a better show than most Hair-Bands. Robin Crosby Created RATT and it was HIS BAND and his vision....And he FUCKED UP and OUT-SMARTED himself to DEATH.Hey...RATT entertained me, and it was FUN going to each conert tour and laughing about the SIZE of Robin Crosby's ASS which got bigger and bigger every tour, and why in the later vidio's he was always stretching with weird camera angles.
Rest in Peace "Chubby" and THANKX for the Memories!
