Posted on 06/10/2002 1:59:16 PM PDT by GeneD
Filed at 4:21 p.m. ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Rock guitarist Robbin Crosby, a founding member of the 1980s heavy-metal ``hair'' band Ratt, has died after an eight-year battle with AIDS, according to the group's official Web site. He was 42.
Crosby, who went public with his illness in a radio interview last July, saying he had contracted the disease through heroin use, died on Thursday.
The band's Web site (http://www.therattpack.com) carried a photograph of the guitarist performing in concert beneath the words, ``In Memory of Robbin Crosby.'' The site's ``forum'' section posted dozens of messages of condolences from grieving fans.
Crosby co-founded Ratt in 1983 with vocalist Stephen Pearcy, and after adding guitarist Warren DeMartini, bassist Juan Croucier and drummer Bobby Blotzer, the Los Angeles-based group became one of the most popular rock acts of the mid-1980s.
The band released its self-titled debut independently in 1983, leading to a major-label recording contract with Atlantic Records, which issued the band's breakthrough LP, ``Out of the Cellar,'' in 1984. The album featured the huge radio and MTV hit ''Round and Round,'' which like many of Ratt's songs was co-written by Crosby.
Three more platinum-selling albums followed, starting with ''Invasion of Your Privacy'' in 1985, but the band's popularity waned after the 1990 release of ``Detonator'' as the alternative rock movement took hold, and the band broke up in 1992.
In keeping with the band's raucous, free-wheeling image, Crosby's indulgence in drugs took its toll as the musician's lavish lifestyle dissolved into a maelstrom of addiction.
``Robbin had everything kids dream of growing up,'' his brother-in-law, Bill Decker, told the San Diego Tribune. ``He was married for a while to a Playboy Playmate, he had a Ferrari, a Laurel Canyon house with a pool that overlooked L.A., a personal assistant. ... But then he started getting heavily into drugs, and his marriage started to fall apart. He lost his way.''
In July 2001, Crosby disclosed in an interview with the Los Angeles radio station KNAC that he had full-blown AIDS, a disease he said he believed he contracted when he began using heroin in the mid-'80s as a member of Ratt.
``Basically, it's killing me,'' he said at the time. ``I've been in the hospital for eight straight months, and in and out for over seven years.''
Ratt reunited without Crosby in 1997 to release another two albums. Last year, Blotzer and DeMartini launched a tour with several new members, and are due to play this summer's Rock Fest tour with other 1980s glam-metal acts.
Aw c'mon, it is 3 years later and Freepers still remember. See how many responses we've had today?
Whatever. Go over to another thread.
OMG that’s Don. I saw them two years ago with Whitesnake and the Scorps. He did not say anything about politics. What did the smuck say anyway? I love Dokken.
Just out of curiosity, what inspired you to dredge up a three-year-old thread about a way-has-been band?
The article is from 2002.
They ALL were!! Pearcy was a great guy, so was Crosby and especially the "Blotz". Their backstage parties at the Whiskey were notorious.
Ahem.
Shade, you spoilin' for a fight or something?
I don't remember. It wasn't anything way out there but it had tinges of liberalism. I'll look for it.
Did you party with them?
Looking for an AIDS post actually...never found the one I wanted I was gonna ping a friend.
Rock and roll never forgets. Apparently.
I just think it's fitting that this thread came up again as I was listening to 8191: The Greatest Hits for the first time in about 6 months.
Just don't mention White Lion, or I'll have to burn a few more pictures of an ex-girlfriend.
I'll never get those 2 hours back for that crap concert!
My bad. Of course it was! That would make a whole lot more sense. Thanks.
Knew him well. Used to work with Stephen at a record store in Marina Del Rey. Stayed in contact with him up to about 1985 then lost touch. Still a fan of the music.
Cool :)
But...."Wait...wait !I never had the chance to love you!"
Why, because I speak out against these liberal supported, drug using, homosexual rock stars who fill our radios with loud noise, satan worship, and sexual lyrics?
Check your facts. A good proportion of 80s metal guys were and are conservatives.
Drugs, yeah...that's not good, but almost none actually worshipped Satan or were gay (save for Rob Halford).
Pardon me if I don't listen to only Barney music and CCM.
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