David Crosby, iconic singer-songwriter and guitarist who was an integral part of rock groups The Byrds and Crosby Stills & Nash, died Wednesday at 81.
His former bandmates issued separate statements upon learning of the singer’s passing.
“It is with a deep and profound sadness that I learned that my friend David Crosby has passed,” vocalist-songwriter Graham Nash wrote, adding “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 was without question a giant of a musician, and his harmonic sensibilities were nothing short of genius,” guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Stephen Stills told Rolling Stone.
Stills described Crosby as, “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.”
Crosby, Stills and Nash was an iconic folk-rock trio that also had Neil Young at one point. The group’s second time to perform in public was at the legendary Woodstock concert in 1969.
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys also remembered Crosby as “an unbelievable talent, such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I’m just at a loss for words.”
Crosby was instrumental in shaping the sound of 60’s rock and the folk-rock movement of the succeeding decade. First as a member of The Byrds, an American pop group whose hits “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “Eight Miles High,” and their version of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man,” made an indelible mark in 60’s pop, and later as part of Crosby, Stills & Nash (and in its iterations with Neil Young as CSN&Y) whose songs “Almost Cut My Hair,” “Déjà Vu,” “Our House,” “Teach Your Children” and “4+20” among others were defining touch points of the folk-rock and singer-songwriter sound of the early 70’s.
Crosby’s soaring voice and solid rhythm guitar work made him an indispensable part of the 3-way vocal harmony that Crosby Stills & Nash is known for.
He was inducted twice at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
“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 would continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music,” the Crosby family said in a statement.
As a musician, Crosby was active until late last year, releasing the album "Live at The Capitol Theatre" with his group David Crosby & the Lighthouse Band.
He was born in Los Angeles on August 14, 1941.