Robbin Lantz Crosby American musician, one of the leading guitarists of the glam metal band 'Ratt' Date of Birth: 04.08.1959 Country: USA

Biography of Robbin Lantz Crosby

Robbin Lantz Crosby was an American musician and one of the leading guitarists of the glam metal band 'Ratt', which was popular in the United States in the late 1980s. He was born in La Jolla, California, and grew up with his two sisters, Ristin and Bronl. His father, Harry Crosby, was a writer and school teacher.

Crosby joined the band 'Ratt' in late 1981 and eventually became one of the main songwriters for the group. He wrote legendary songs such as 'Round and Round', 'Wanted Man', and 'Lay It Down'. Many consider 'Round and Round' to be the reason why 'Ratt's' debut album, 'Out of Cellar', became triple platinum.

During his time with 'Ratt', Crosby accumulated enough wealth to purchase a house in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. In 1987, he married Playboy model Lori Kerr, but they divorced four years later. Crosby does not have any children.

Eventually, Crosby left 'Ratt' and worked as a producer for the metal band 'Lillian Axe'. In June 1999, he revealed in an interview with VH1 that his life had been changed by drug addiction and the HIV virus. He stated that drugs initially cost him his career and fortune, and later HIV took away any hope for a normal life. In 2001, Crosby publicly admitted that he had known about his HIV status for seven years. He spent eight years in and out of hospitals battling immune-related illnesses.

In his free time, Crosby worked as a coach for the charitable organization 'Little League' and collected guitars, including a collection of replicas of the famous 'Jackson King V Big Red' instrument.

After leaving 'Ratt', Crosby made several attempts at new music projects. He initially tried to revive the project 'Secret Service' with his friend Perry McCarthy, a former vocalist of 'Warrior' and 'Atomic Playboys', and with the support of Chris Baratto, Dino Guerrero, and Mark Lewis. Crosby also played in a country-western band called 'Bill&Kev&War Party' after moving to El Paso in 1996. One of his most recent projects was collaborating with former 'Ratt' bassist Juan Croucier.

Crosby passed away on June 6, 2002, two months before his 43rd birthday. The exact cause of death is unknown, with different sources citing complications from HIV/AIDS or a heroin overdose. In his prime, Crosby stood at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters) and weighed 245 pounds (111 kilograms). However, he gained a significant amount of weight during his time with 'Ratt' due to a pancreatic condition that altered his metabolism. At the time of his death, Crosby weighed over 400 pounds (181 kilograms) according to the autopsy.

In one of his interviews, given in 1999 but aired in 2006, Crosby stated that he was more than satisfied with his life. According to the musician, he had lived life to the fullest and had achieved almost all his dreams. Crosby's body was cremated, and a memorial service was held at Windansea Beach in La Jolla, California. His friends and family scattered his ashes over the ocean from surfboards.