Died On This Date (June 6, 2002) Robbin Crosby / Guitarist For Ratt
themusicsover Robbin Crosby
August 4, 1959 – June 6, 2002
Robbin Crosby is best known as the co-lead guitarist for Ratt, one of the biggest acts to come out of the ’80s hair metal scene. Joining the band in 1982, he helped them achieve worldwide fame by authoring some of their biggest hits, including “Round And Round” and “Lay It Down.” By all accounts, Crosby was the best-liked member of the group, perhaps because he always made time for his fans and was professional and courteous when it came to the business side of things. Living the so-called rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle only added to the fun-loving guy everyone enjoyed being around. But apparently things were much different on the inside, as Crosby reportedly suffered from insecurities and depression. He sought the comfort of heroin which would eventually lead to his premature death. His drug use contributed to his parting ways with Ratt in 1990 and sent him further and further down the road of destruction. He eventually found himself divorced and losing most of the millions he had earned with Ratt. In 2001, he announced that he had full blown AIDS and had spent much of the previous eight years in and out of the hospital. He also suffered from a pancreatic condition that caused his weight to balloon to over 400 pounds at his death. Crosby died of a heroin overdose at the age of 42, not of complications from AIDS as had been reported.
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