Legendary singer-songwriter David Crosby dies at 81

Legendary singer-songwriter David Crosby, founding member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, has died. A source close to the musician confirmed Thursday.

Crosby, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, died after a long illness. statement to variety.

“He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jean and son Jango,” she told the outlet. and kind soul continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy lives on through his legendary music.”

In a Facebook post, former bandmate Graham Nash recalled his focus on the sometimes volatile relationship — Crosby recently denounced him two years ago in an interview with The Guardian — But he spoke of the “pure joy” of making music together, with Crosby being the most important.

“David was fearless in life and in music,” said Nash. “He left this world a tremendous void of pure character and talent. He spoke his heart, heart and passion through beautiful music and left an incredible legacy. It’s the most important thing.”

Another former band member, Stephen Stills, also recalled a time when he and Crosby butted heads, saying in a statement from their manager that such a confrontation left them with “paralyzed skulls.”

“I was happy to be at peace with him,” he said. “He was undoubtedly a giant of the musician and his harmony sensibility was nothing short of genius.”

Crosby’s final release, “Live at the Capitol Theater” It came out last month.and Interview with the site Ultimateclassicrock.comhe described the performance captured on the recording as “magical”.

Born in Los Angeles, Crosby joined the Byrds in 1964. Byrds scored his first hit with Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.”

Crosby, Stills & Nash — later known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young when Neil Young joined — was founded in 1968, the year after Crosby left the Byrds. The band released a string of hits such as ‘Marrakech Express’, ‘Just a Song Before I Go’ and ‘Woodstock’.

The band’s album Looking Forward was released in 1999.

Crosby has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. one time with the Byrds in 1991 again in 6 years Crosby, Stills, Nash.

In an interview last month, he said he won’t tour because of tendonitis in both hands.

After decades of drug use, Crosby had a liver transplant in 1994 and survived diabetes, hepatitis C and heart surgery in his 70s.

His previous drug use has left him bloated, broken and alienated.He quit his addiction in 1985 and 1986 During the period of imprisonment for one year in Texas on drug and weapons charges. The conviction was eventually overturned.

In his 1988 autobiography, Crosby wrote, “I always said I picked up a guitar as a shortcut to sex. After the first joint, I was convinced that if everyone took drugs, the war would be over.” Told. Gone” was co-written with Karl Gottlieb. “I was right about sex. I was wrong about drugs.”

He lived longer than expected, enjoying a creative renaissance in his 70s, issuing several solo albums while collaborating with others, including his son James Raymond, who became a favorite songwriting partner. .

“Most people my age would have covered old songs or duetted with them.” he told Rolling Stone magazine 2013, just before “Croz” was released. “This is not going to be a big hit. I think it will probably sell 19 copies. I don’t think the kids will dig into it, but I’m not making it for them. It’s for me.” I’ve got this thing I need to get off my chest.”

crosby Married longtime girlfriend Jean Dance Crosby also had a daughter Donovan with Debbie Donovan. Shortly after receiving her liver transplant, Crosby reunited with her adopted son, Raymond, in 1961. Raymond, Crosby and Jeff Her Pieber later performed together in her group called CPR.

“I regretted losing him many times,” Crosby told Raymond’s Associated Press in 1998.

In 2000, Melissa Etheridge revealed that Crosby was the father of two children he shared with then-partner Julie Cypher. Etheridge told Rolling Stone magazine. only son, Beckett, dead in 2020.

Crosby did not help raise the children. “If in time, far away, they’re proud of who their genetic father is, that’s great,” he said.