Remembering Robbin Crosby

Today would have been Robbin Crosby's birthday. The RATT guitarist was born on August 4, 1959. Robbin died in 2002. RATT was never the same without Robbin and he was a big reason the band took off so much. He had a larger-than-life stage presence and complimented Warren DeMartini's guitar playing so well. This video has some cool facts about Robbin that you might not know (and some that you do!)

Comments

[Metalboy!]

God Bless Robbin Crosby ...

People may not realize he was a big contributor to the songwriting and composing of RATT’s music ... If I remember correctly, it was apparently he, DiMartini and interestingly, Jake E. Lee who wrote the motherlode of the music for “Out of the Cellar”.

Everyone who knew or met him says he was such a gem of a guy ... I was fortunate to shake the man’s hand at the end of their performance at Hammerjack’s when I saw them POINT BLANK (haha!!) in 1991 on the Detonator Tour ...

Interesting vibes as I was just defending him in Comments on Allyson’s recent “Hair Metal” post against Chuck Klosterman’s unWarranted (haha!!) attack on him in an article where he implied Dee Dee Ramone’s life was more valuable than Crosby’s (Read Allyson’s recent “Hair Metal” post and subsequent Comments and mine for info on the article to Google) ... What a Nerd Rock A*s!

[Gary]

RIP King. You’ve gotta be looking down at the state of what was an incredibly kick ass band and just shaking your head. The 4 remaining asshats can’t get out of their own way so we’re left with leather face,twinkle toes, and whomever didn’t get kicked out that week. Round and Round it goes....

[Him]

Cliff Burton, Steve Clark, Robbin Crosby. There are certain bands that, when they lose someone, lose something essential. I know that isn't a fact, per se. I know there are a lot of other factors at play.

But I stand by that 'feeling' when it comes to people like Crosby. As a younger lad, I found Crosby's "hand in the air then point to the camera" part in the intro to the "Lay It Down" video awesome. He was larger than life. Sad end to that life as well. But he still looms large in the hearts of fans who remember Ratt for what they were back then.

[jimbo]

Metalboy! Had the opportunity to meet the band in '84 and there was something about Robbin that just stood out,,it was a record store meet and greet and the girl in front of me mentioned someone she knew that he knew (this was in Ma and the friend, I assume was in Ca) and he lit up. smiled and stopped the line to talk to her about their friend,,you could tell he genuinely cared about their friend,,and her. Wish I had my original signed EP..

[Shawn]

@HIM may we add Jani Lane to tat list you have there :) You picked 3 of my favorites. @Jimbo I heard the same thing - At some point in 1998 he was teaching guitar in San Diego at a small shop. I had a buddy who was going to take me there but when we got back from deployment he had moved on. @MB yes Robbin was a big part of the writing and sound. He actually produced Lillian Axe's first album so he knew his way around a control room as well.

[Him]

Jimbo, great story. I can only imagine how much that grated on Old (then Young) Leather Face. I always got the sense that Crosby was thankful/grateful he was a star . . . and he seemed to let that show in how he acted. Too bad that he also suffered from some of those demons that chase people who aren't always comfortable in the spotlight. RIP.

Sure, Shawn, I think Lane fits too. Thing is, and I have noted this in prior posts, it was only in recent years that I started to truly appreciate how gifted he was. Back in the day, I slagged on him and Warrant for being too lightweight for my tastes. I admit it: I was wrong . . . and young. Sadly, he, too, seemed to suffer from some of the glare that the spotlight brought upon him. Again, RIP.

I always wonder what bands like Lep and 'Tallica would sound like now if Burton and Clark were still around. Might not have made much of a difference (casual fans forget, but Burton was the experimental one in the bunch, as likely to listen to Pastorius as he was other metal players). They held down their places on stage and on wax. They are all missed.

[Metalboy!]

Just great, great stuff, guys! ... Such a pleasure to read your Comments and stories.

I would like to think Crosby would appreciate them, too!

p.s. FUNNY Gary, you’re doing it again!!! ... As in, yer f*ckin’ killin’ me!, hahaha!!! ... Hahaha!!!

p.s. Shawn ... I’ve got “Lillian Axe” but missed the producer’s credit, something I usually don’t miss ... Just great to know the breadth of his talents and now I know more, thanks to you!)

p.s. What can I say, HIM?, except, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you HIM!!!”

[Metalboy!]

And a special shout out to Jimbo ... Such a great story, man!