Robbin Crosby of Ratt

Robbin Crosby
(August 4, 1959-June 6, 2002

Born Robbinson Lantz Crosby better known as Robbin Crosby from the 80’s hair metal band, Ratt, was born in La Jolla, California. In his high school years, he played baseball up until he found guitar playing, then devoted all his time to learning how to play it.
    
Bands he was involved with prior to Ratt were, ‘Mac Meda’, ‘Phenomenon’ & ‘Aircraft’. He was one of the originals  members of Ratt and co-wrote many of their songs such as “Round and Round”, “Wanted Man” and “Lay it Down”. Their album ‘Out of the Cellar’ went triple platinum which featured the song ‘Round and Round’.
    
Crosby eventually left Ratt. Shortly thereafter, he began producing the band Lillian Axe and lent his guitar skills to other artists such as Jon Bon Jovi’s multi platinum, solo album, “Blaze of Glory” which was the soundtrack for the movie Young Guns.
    
In 2001, he publically announced to the world that he had AIDS and had been HIV + since 1994. It is said that Crosby’s usage of heroin throughout his career was the reason for the HIV diagnosis all stemming from the usage dirty needles.
    
On June 6, 2002, Robbin was found deceased in Los Angeles from reported overdose of heroin and complications from AIDS.  In a 1991 interview given to VH1 which didn't air until 2006, Crosby was quoted as saying:

“When I die, nobody cry at my funeral, in fact, let’s all have a party. I’ve lived the life of ten men. I lived my dreams and more.”
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At the time of his passing, he was 42 yrs old.

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