David Crosby, photo, dies at 81

David Crosby

Folk-rock legend and co-founding member of the Byrds and Crosby Stills & Nash, David Crosby has died at age 81. One of the major architects of the 60s and 70s singer-songwriter era, Crosby’s family announced his passing on Thursday.

The Crosby family said in a statement, “It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django. Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music.”

Born David Cortlandt Crosby on August 14, 1941, he was renowned for his vocal harmonies and songwriting. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Byrds in 1991 and again with Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997.

In 1964, he formed the rock group the Byrds with Roger Mcguinn and Gene Clark. The band was nominated for a Grammy in 1965. The Byrds released the hits “Eight Miles High” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

As part of Crosby, Stills & Nash, Crosby won a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1970 for the trio’s self-titled debut album. The record contained the Top 40 singles “Marrakesh Express” and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and has sold more than four million copies. Other CSN hits included “Wooden Ships”, “Almost Cut My Hair,” and “Guinnevere.”

Neil Young joined the band in 1969 and the band became known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Their songs “Teach Your Children” and “Ohio” became protest anthems, decrying the Viet Nam war. Their album Déjà Vu launched the group into commercial success and was followed by the double live album 4-Way Street. Crosby collaborated with many other noted musicians throughout his life including Phil Lesh and Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and Joni Mitchell. Crosby also released six solo albums.

Having struggled with addiction, Crosby spent nine months in prison in 1985 on a drug and weapons conviction and battled addictions to heroin and cocaine. Further drug and weapons charges occurred over the next few years. In more recent times, Crosby, a 50-plus-year cannabis advocate, launched a craft cannabis brand called MIGHTY CROZ.

In 1994, Crosby received a liver transplant, paid for by Phil Collins, due to a long battle with hepatitis C. He also had three heart attacks over the years and suffered from Type 2 Diabetes.

Crosby reunited with his son James Raymond in the 1990’s after putting him up for adoption in 1962. Crosby and Raymond, already an established songwriter and keyboardist, formed a jazz-rock band called CPR and by January of 1997, CPR was performing and touring. Crosby released his album For Free in July of 2021, which featured Raymond producing and writing.

Crosby is survived by his wife Jan Dance and several children.

Stephen Stills
“I read a quote in this morning’s paper attributed to composer Gustav Mahler that stopped me for a moment:
‘Death has, on placid cat’s paws, entered the room.’
I shoulda known something was up.
David and I butted heads a lot over time, but they were mostly glancing blows, yet still left us numb skulls..
I was happy to be at peace with him.
He was without question a giant of a musician, and his harmonic sensibilities were nothing short of genius.
The glue that held us together as our vocals soared, like Icarus, towards the sun.
I am deeply saddened at his passing and shall miss him beyond measure.”

James Raymond
“I am deeply saddened at the passing of my birth father David Crosby. He was a monumental talent and a force of nature. The musical gifts he gave us all will be cherished for generations. I feel very fortunate that we found each other and that he so graciously invited me to experience that rarified air of creativity that surrounded him. I’ll miss him immensely.”

Neil Young
Neil Young posted on his website “David is gone, but his music lives on. The soul of CSNY, David’s voice and energy were at the heart of our band. His great songs stood for what we believed in and it was always fun and exciting when we got to play together. ‘Almost Cut My Hair,’ ‘Deja Vu’ and so many other great songs he wrote were wonderful to jam on and Stills and I had a blast as he kept us going on and on. His singing with Graham was so memorable, their duo spot a highlight of so many of our shows. We had so many great times, especially in the early years. Crosby was a very supportive friend in my early life, as we bit off big pieces of our experience together. David was the catalyst of many things. My heart goes out to Jan and Django, his wife and son. Lots of love to you. Thanks David for your spirit and songs, Love you man. I remember the best times!”

Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson tweeted “I don’t know what to say other than I’m heartbroken to hear about David Crosby. David was an unbelievable talent – such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I just am at a loss for words. Love & Mercy to David’s family and friends. Love, Brian”

James Taylor Tweeted “ “Missing you already, Croz. Love to Jan…” ~ James

David Crosby website