RATT - Behind the Music debuted 5/11

[chinarain62]

I know I am probably like the only huge fan of RATT on this board, but seeing their story especially seeing Robin Crosby doing his last interview in 2000 all bloated from HIV meds was very sad. And to find out that on June 6, 2002 he didn't die from complications of HIV, but took a fatal dose of Heroin. I guess he figured he was going to die anyway....but to end your life at 42 - just so damn sad. And he was pretty much destitute. The only person from the band who reached out to him the most was Juan Croucier, the bassist.

Like most bands in the 80's, the guys were victims of being young and making it big - pissing all their money on booze, drugs and women. Not given any direction for investing their money etc. Robin ended up having a $500 a day Heroin habit and could not play guitar any longer. He said it best - he sold his life to the devil.

I still love this band and for me as a "hair metal" rocker chick, they were a great band for their time. I've even seen them with Corabi and Jizzy - it's not the same of course but they still know how to rock!

[GreggFromJoisey]

Thanks CR! Agreed, another victim of "the horse" I saw them a few times back in the day. When will this show be repeated??

[chinarain62]

I'm not sure. After RATT - Behind the Music then they had Pantera - behind the Music which I didn't catch.

[GreggFromJoisey]

I have always loved Behind the Music!! I have not seen it in so long, however, seems like VH1 has been just like MTV unfortunately, more "reality" type shows than music!!! :mad:

[EVHFV]

I caught about the last half of it the other night, as well as a bit of the beginning of the Pantera show. It was the middle of the night and was awake and figured I'd check if one of them was on. I want to see all of both of them. Hopefully this weekend. Well, I've always been a Ratt fan as well. Maybe not a huge fan, but a big fan. I never saw them in their heyday, but have seen them twice in their latest formation. Still something to see if you get the chance. Warren is amazing, and plays as if he is still the only guitarist in the band (which he was for a brief time), filling in every spot he can all on his own. He leaves very little work for Corabi to do, if any. Yeah, I too was surprised to find out Robbin didn't die from AIDS or HIV complications. They never really said at the time, and I just assumed. Maybe that's what they wanted to happen. They didn't really say his overdose was intentional, but I'm guessing it probably was. I don't know, I find it hard to see that bands can earn as much money as they do and come out so broke. You're right CR, these bands were young and just didn't know better. Besides, living wild and fast at that age, with everything you could ever want handed to you, would just be an amazing, fun, and exciting experience. Still, I don't see how you can spend all that money with absolutely nothing to show for it in the end. It doesn't matter about the details and reality or whether I'll ever understand it or not. It's a problem I'll never have!!! But to spend millions and be left with nothing, just blows my mind!!! Yup, too bad things have to end the way they do for some bands, and the people within them.

[malja316]

I watched and recorded both shows as I am a huge Pantera fan and also dig Ratt too...

I find it amusing that in 2006, Stephen Pearcy has such a massive ego! You would tend to think with the way he acts he thinks its still 1985 or something....its truly sad what happened to Robin and I am shocked to hear he passed away due to a heroin OD as opposed to HIV complications. The only thing I found disappointing about this BTM was that they skimmed 1996-the present, I thought they should have talked about the 1999 Ratt album more...that is a good record and it is always passed over in the back catalog. If you never heard the 99 Ratt album and you like them, pick this album up if you can find it for a good price. Dont expect that this album will have the magic of the 80's, but its still a decent album imo...

As far as Pantera's BTM, I am outraged to see Phil in the condition he is in...he looked like he was gonna fall asleep during that interview...sorry Phil. your back surgery was last year and it was supposedly successful, get your sh*t together will you!!! :mad: It also sux to see that the Phil/Abbott Family fued will basically never get resolved and understandably so...I mean, I dont want a Pantera reunion but it would be nice if they would at least be on speaking terms.....

All in all, 2 thumbs up for Vh1 and their metal month promotion and this past Thursday night was a GREAT night of TV for me....

[shoeluvr]

i saw ratt a few years ago at bald hill at the "metal edge rockfest" they were good, im not really a big fan as u can tell i guess i one the guys was replaced. was it the lead singer that passed away? because they sounded good, like i remember

[ronbo11]

Crosby (who OD'd) was the rhythm guitarist. Pearcy, the lead singer, is just not in the band and seems not to get along very well with the rest. I had the pleasure of catching RATT twice in the 80's (after Out of the Cellar and Invasion Of Your Privacy and they rocked both times. Warren Di Martini was an excellent lead guitarist and they were just one of those hair metal bands that had a good sound and actually had some songs with melodies on them. I hope I can catch that special on VH1 classic sometime this month.

[macca]

Usually, VH1 is like HBO when it shows a "new" feature...they'll play it to death. Just check the VH1 website and fire up the VCR/Tivo/DVR. And yep, Pearcy has a massive ego and comes across like a BIG *****.

[chinarain62]

Stephen always was an ******* and continues to be. He fit the band so well tho.

I've seen Ratt thru the 80's and twice with the new line-up. Of course, not it's not the same, but Warren DiMartini is a phenom guitar player - very under-rated.

I'm still very sad about Robin.