David Crosby, one of the architects of the 1960s’ folk-, psych-, and country-rock scenes as a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, and one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time, has died. The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee was 81 years old.
“It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away,” read a statement released Thursday by Crosby’s wife of 36 years, Jan Dance. “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. Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly. At this time, we respectfully and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and try to deal with our profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers.”
David Van Cortlandt Crosby was born Aug. 14, 1941, in Los Angeles, into a privileged family that included his father, Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby. In 1964, he formed seminal folk-rock band the Byrds with Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, Chris Hillman, and Roger McGuinn; while his tumultuous time in the group only lasted three years, his alternative guitar tunings, angelic harmonies, and unique phrasings established the template for a classic California sound that influenced countless musicians for decades, including Tom Petty, Robyn Hitchcock, Big Star, and R.E.M. Among the Byrds songs Crosby co-wrote were “Eight Miles High,” “Renaissance Fair,” “Mind Gardens,” “Lady Friend,” “Everybody’s Been Burned,” “Dolphin’s Smile,” “Why,” “I See You,” and “It Happens Each Day.”
In 1968, Crosby met Stephen Stills and the pair started jamming together. They were soon joined by Graham Nash to form Crosby, Stills & Nash, selling millions of copies of their first two albums: their self-titled debut in 1969, and – joined by Neil Young – Déjà Vu the following year. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young disbanded in 2016 after years of rivalry and tension.
Nash released a statement acknowledging the issues between them, but honors Crosby’s legacy. “It is with profound sadness that I learned that my friend David Crosby has passed. I know people tend to focus on how volatile our relationship has been at times, but what has always mattered to David and me more than anything was the pure joy of the music we created together, the sound we discovered with one another, and the deep friendship we shared over all these many long years,” he continued, “David was fearless in life and in music. He leaves behind a tremendous void as far as sheer personality and talent in this world. He spoke his mind, his heart, and his passion through his beautiful music and leaves an incredible legacy. These are the things that matter most. My heart is truly with his wife, Jan, his son, Django, and all of the people he has touched in this world.”
One of their most beloved songs is “Our House,” which you can watch below:
Crosby discovered Joni Mitchell playing in a Florida club in 1967, helping her get a record deal and producing her first album, Song to a Seagull. The pair were romantically involved. He recently described Mitchell as “the best singer-songwriter … I don’t think anybody comes close”.
Crosby’s first solo album came out in 1971, If I Could Only Remember My Name. He released a few more solo records through the 80s and 90s, before a 20-year break and a prolific late-life period, with five coming out since 2014.
His most recent, For Free, was produced and co-written with James Raymond, a son Crosby didn’t know he had until Raymond was 30, after he was given up for adoption by his mother after birth. Raymond had been a musician for 20 years before he discovered who his father was, and tracked him down. The pair also released albums with the Lighthouse Band.
“He gave me a chance to earn my way into his life … by making music with him,” Crosby told the Guardian. “Imagine how I feel about my son being that good a writer. I wear it like a garland of flowers on my head. It’s just fucking wonderful.”
Eight months ago Crosby agreed to be interview by a journalist class at a high school in Colorado. He made headlines after answering a student’s question about whether he would tour again, replying: “No. I’m not, because I’m 80.” He also pointed to his age to explain his recent spate of solo albums: “I’m 80 years old so I’m gonna die fairly soon. That’s how that works. And so I’m trying really hard to crank out as much music as I possibly can, as long as it’s really good.”
Crosby was famously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice and five albums to which he contributed were included in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Crosby is survived by his wife, Jan Dance; James Raymond, his son with Celia Crawford Ferguson; his two daughters from respective relationships with Jackie Guthrie and Debbie Donovan, Erika and Donovan Crosby; and his son with Dance, Django Crosby.
Monica has a BA in Journalism and English from the University of Massachusetts and an MS in Journalism and Communications from Quinnipiac University. Monica has worked as a journalist for over 20 years covering all things entertainment. She has covered everything from San Diego Comic-Con, The SAG Awards, Academy Awards, and more. Monica has been published in Variety, Swagger Magazine, Emmy Magazine, CNN, AP, Hidden Remote, and more. For the past 10 years, she has added PR and marketing to her list of talents as the president of Prime Entertainment Publicity, LLC. Monica is ready for anything and is proudly obsessed with pop culture.
