Obituary: Robbin Crosby, 42; Guitarist for '80s Rock Band Ratt

Robbin Crosby, 42, died Thursday of complications from AIDS. He was a guitarist with the band Ratt, which sold several million albums and whose hits included "Lay It Down" and "Round and Round." During a July 2001 interview with radio station KNAC in Los Angeles, Crosby disclosed he had AIDS, speculating he contracted the disease when he began using heroin. "I have full-blown AIDS," he said. "Basically, it's killing me. ...I've been in the hospital for eight straight months, and in and out for over seven years." Longtime friend Gregory Boaz said Crosby's decision to go public was an altruistic one. "I'm sure that was an attempt by Robbin to help others learn from his mistakes," Boaz said.

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