His family announced the death of David Crosby, a pioneer in folk rock and one of the founding members Of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, on Thursday.
He was 81.
“It is with deep sadness that David (Croz), Crosby, our beloved, has died after a long battle. The Crosby family released a statement that was obtained by CNN via a spokesperson. “While he is not with us anymore, his kindness and humanity will continue to inspire and guide us. His music will carry his legacy on.
CNN reached out to Crosby representatives for comment.
Crosby, along with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 with the Byrds.
The statement concluded, “Peace and love to all who knew David, and those he touched.” We will be deeply missing him.”
Crosby is a native Californian, and the son of Academy Award-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby. moved from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles in 1960 with an intention to become an actor.
However, music was his calling and he founded the rock band The Byrds in 1963 with Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, and others.
1965 saw the band nominated to win a Grammy for best new artist.
The Byrds also released “Turn!” in 1965, among other hits. Turn! “Turn!” was popularized again in the mid-1990s by the 1994 feature film, “Forrest Gump.”
Crosby won the Grammy award for best new artist in 1970 as part of Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Crosby, Stills & Nash played Woodstock 1969. They were only performing together for the second time, which was a major step towards mainstream success.
1969’s “Crosby, Stills & Nash” was the band’s debut album. It featured hits like “Marrakesh Express”, and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.”
The group was renamed Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in 1970 when Neil Young joined the band. They released “Deja Vu” which included the hit song “Woodstock.”
Crosby was not only a solo artist, but he also collaborated with many other great musicians throughout his career, such as Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Carole King, and Joni Mitchell.
Crosby is credited with discovering Mitchell, whom he also dated .
He was a recovering addict who spent five months in prison on weapons and narcotics charges. He was released from prison in 1986, and credits his time in prison for helping him to get sober.
He told the Guardian that he was locked up and that he had to get off drugs. You go from feeling miserable about living to being proud of it.
Crosby has been very open in recent years about his health issues.
He received a liver transplant in 1994. He has also had multiple heart operations and is open about his diabetes management.
NME Crosby stated to that he was “alive” by continuing to make music.
He said, “There are two centers” to my life: my family and music. It is a freaking miracle that I am able to still make music at an advanced age.
Jan Dance was his wife. They had one son together, Django.
Melissa Etheridge, a musician who was married to Julie Cypher and had two children using Crosby as her sperm donor wrote Instagram about the death of Crosby.
She wrote, “He gave me family.”
Crosby’s ex-bandmate Nash made reference to their sometimes “volatile” relationship in a tribute on FB. He wrote on Thursday that “what has always mattered most to David and I more than anything was just the pure joy of creating the music together.”
The statement said that David was fearless in life as well as in music. He has left behind a huge void in the world of talent and personality. His beautiful music was his voice and his passion. He leaves behind an amazing legacy. These are the most important things.”
Stills, another member of Crosby, Stills & Nash, stated in a statement on FB that “it’s only the memory of such a full and unique life so well lived, that must sustain us during this time of profound grief.”
The statement continued to state that David “lived a life full of deep and lasting gratitude” and that he was “an extraordinary, richly-senient being”, and that his music “will live on through all of us.”
Carole King was on stage with Crosby and Nash in 1994 to perform “You’ve Got a Friend.” She posted the following response on Facebook: “My old friend David has passed away, but he left us his words, his music, and his beautiful voice.”
Brian Wilson, Beach Boys leader, also expressed his feelings on social networking by saying that he was “heartbroken”.
David was an incredible talent, a great singer/songwriter. He was a remarkable person,” he wrote.
