June 13, 2008

Robbin Crosby - a sad story




Was just riding my exercise bike and watching VH1 Classics, they had a show on featuring RATT. Before I knew it my cycling had stopped and I was glued to the interviews and film clips of the band. Plus, its hard to peddle when you feel like crying and that's how I felt when I saw Robbin on the screen.

So many lives claimed by drugs...

It seems to be a typical scenario, the most sensitive person in the band ends up the drug addict. No one realizes how bad it is till its too late. Or maybe,in his case, no one cared enough.

Although I've always been a 70's girl at heart, I did go the clubs in Hollywood during the LA Band scene of the early 80's. On one occasion I had the opportunity to meet Robbin Crosby.

This will sound a bit odd, but I've always been very discerning about people and often feel like I can see someone's "true self" in just a brief meeting. That's how it was with Robbin. I was only with him for a short time but I got a clear sense that he was a senstive soul. I wondered if he was not cut out for party rock band scene, even though we were about the same age he seemed vulnerable and out of place with the other guys.

As the band gained popularity he became addicted to heroin. For a long time he hid his drug/alcohol problems but eventually it caught up to him and he was forced to leave the band. I just saw a clip of his last show. During one of their big hits he picked up the wrong guitar. He had no clue. He kept playing. It sounded horrible. All eyes were on him - the band, the audience, and that's when they realized he'd gone over the top. Apparently after that most of the band members wouldn't even associate with him. He went from a rich rock star to a junkie living in a shack.

He contacted AIDS. Word had it that he kicked the heroin habit, but on June 8, 2002 he died. Some say it was an OD, some say it was a heart attack. Does it really matter? It all started with the first taste of heroin that stuff usually owns you after one try.

At one point in the interview he talked about how he reached out in desperation to his former band mates and, other than Juan Croucier, they would have nothing to do with him. That kind of sums up my opinion of Steven Pearcy - he was the typical arrogant frontman with "LSD" (lead singer's disease - it was very contagious in those hair bands of the 80's).

Robbin's nickname in the band was "King" but he certainly didn't die
like one. Its tragic.

Here is what Juan had to say about the death of his friend, it kind of confirms to me that my instincts about Robbin were right:

"Former bassist Juan Croucier, who remained very close with Crosby over the years, wrote, "To a King among men: Robbin, you will always be loved by those who knew you. I will always love you, beyond words. Your kindness and compassion, knew no bounds. Your heart was pure love. Your sprit was a gift to be admired. It was an honor to have been your friend. I will always cherish the many wonderful memories we shared together, over the many years. The world is a better place because of you. I wish you all the love in this world and all the peace in heaven. The pain and suffering is over. God bless you."

---------------

Now playing: Ratt - Round and Round
via FoxyTunes

13 comments:

chez bez said...

Listening to him play was a huge part of my musical youth. I was sad to hear about his passing as well.

Anonymous said...

The world is a better place because of you, rockers. God bless you

Bar L. said...

Michael, its always sad to hear that kind of news. Can't imagine you into RATT :)

Yashar, kind words. Thanks

Cinnamon Girl said...

Heroin killed off a huge portion of my generation. The love affair of Gen X and heroin is something I have never understood.

I just watched About A Son and listening to Cobain talk and know that a year after he uttered those words he'd be dead was just heartbreaking. Don't even get me started on Layne Staley. That one was just too awful.

Stephen Pearcy has always come off as a bit of a douchebag to me.

Bar L. said...

Star, its tragic. I watched "About a Son" not long ago too and it was very hard to listen to Kurt knowing how close the end was for him...geez.

Good commentary on Pearcy :)

Buggie said...

I grew up on 80's rock and metal. Thank goodness I never got caught up in the musician's lives.

James Vernon 3rd said...

Glad i never tried that stuff...hard to believe its been nearly 10 years, damn

pinkypotpie said...

Ten years....Look how many more talented souls we have lost. Crazy. I'm grateful to have been 21, out and about because it was an amazing time and I'm even more grateful that I chose to NOT get involved with H. It was certainly everywhere but....look around now..Who is left? I'm still stunned Nikki (Sixx) is with us. Sadly, Robbin apparently visited him at his home looking for some money and Nikki begged him to give (Nikki) 30 clean days. Robbin was angry and died shortly thereafter. I too had the opportunity to meet Robbin in Dallas. Truly a sweet (huge!) giant. I believe" King" was definitely a deserved name for him. It's refreshing to read this comme. I'm not sure why, but he's been on my mind a lot lately. Cheers to all!

pinkypotpie said...

Robbin has been heavy on my heart/ mind lately. I'm 5 years younger...was a serious metal head right down to my big dallas blonde hair extensions. I was a Bartender for many years at a popular club and that's where I met him. I think King was an appropriate nickname. What a sweetheart! I think that life is in the little details...like having a rose on his guitar every show, signing autographs and not being a d---head (unlike other members but I digress) I only dated one Rockstar and that was plenty! I can't believe he's still alive, it's remarkable. It's like playing the odds in a casino when you pick up a needle and sadly, King played and lost and just like so many before and after him, we all lose. Thanks for letting me ramble. I ended up here because I was randomly searching some info on Juan, Robbin and Ratt. What a coincidence ....cheers all.

pinkypotpie said...

Robbin has been heavy on my heart/ mind lately. I'm 5 years younger...was a serious metal head right down to my big dallas blonde hair extensions. I was a Bartender for many years at a popular club and that's where I met him. I think King was an appropriate nickname. What a sweetheart! I think that life is in the little details...like having a rose on his guitar every show, signing autographs and not being a d---head (unlike other members but I digress) I only dated one Rockstar and that was plenty! I can't believe he's still alive, it's remarkable. It's like playing the odds in a casino when you pick up a needle and sadly, King played and lost and just like so many before and after him, we all lose. Thanks for letting me ramble. I ended up here because I was randomly searching some info on Juan, Robbin and Ratt. What a coincidence ....cheers all.

corellian_sky said...

I don't know why, but I've been thinking about Robbin a lot lately. It's kind of odd because I haven't thought of him in years, ever since I went through a stage in high school where I was really into 80s hair metal bands. Robbin had great musical talent, but there was far more about him as well.

I remember the first time I saw him on the cover of a magazine, there was just something about him. He was probably one of the most beautiful men I've ever seen. That face, those eyes, those lips, that hair! Absolutely gorgeous. I loved watching those old videos of him, he had an adorable smile that lit up his entire face.

There was also an old fan forum that I used to visit online where I read a lot about him and learned about who he was as a person. It seems like you're spot-on with your uncanny ability to sense a person's true self.
Robbin really was very different from the others. A very sensitive and gentle soul, there was really something pure about him. He had a kindness that is rare in this world.

It's no surprise that Juan Croucier described him as a sweet and compassionate person. I also found out that he was very intelligent and well-read/well-spoken too.

It's terribly sad what happened to him, including the fact that people he thought were friends turned out to be nothing but superficial jerks. Poor Robbin learned that the hard way.

It's really sad that he turned to drugs to cope with what the troubles he was going through, and even sadder that he was so unfortunate to contract HIV and get the terrible disease that AIDS is and then have to go through it alone. I'm sorry he suffered so much, but glad that it's all over now. A really sweet soul graced this awful world with his presence, however brief it was.

Unknown said...

I saw Ratt House of Blues in Cheeeecago years ago and i looked for him but was not there. I didnt know he died. Ya know gettin caught up in addiction is real easy. Satans claws are in you and its hard to quit. Robbin's story reminds me of me being an alcoholic and suffering to quit. I can only imagine the heart break he had knowing he had talent, fame n fortune and the addiction that ruined it. But he said, "If i can help one person quit addiction". Or see that its fucked up his life, thats what he wanted was to help. That really touched my heart cuz i know that naggin thought of wanting to get a buzz. Just pray for his soul and that hes in paradise.

Unknown said...

Wish he was alive he was a amazing man !

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