David Crosby Dead At 81
• UPDATED: Singer-songwriter-guitarist David Crosby, a founding member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash (later Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young), has died at the age of 81.
Crosby’s wife Jan released a statement to Variety, saying, “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. 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.”
With bandmates Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke, Crosby set down the template for ’60s L.A. folk-rock in The Byrds during his stormy 1964-67 tenure in the group. Later bonding with Stephen Stills of the Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of the Hollies amid the glitter of L.A.’s late-’60s Laurel Canyon scene, Crosby launched CS&N, whose multi-platinum 1968 debut inaugurated rock’s supergroup era. The trio later added Stills’ former Buffalo Springfield colleague Neil Young, creating CSN&Y. However, a constant clash of egos within Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, fueled by the rock excesses of the era, toppled the act during the ’70s, though its members would regroup sporadically in various incarnations over the years. Crosby’s most stable association was with Nash — the duo recorded and toured regularly into the 2000s, although they reportedly had a serious falling out several years ago.
Crosby notably grappled with addiction for many years. He was arrested in Texas in 1982 on drug and weapons charges which led to a five-month prison stay in 1986. Wracked by years of cocaine and alcohol abuse, Crosby underwent a liver transplant in 1994.
Crosby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of the Byrds in 1991 and with Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997.
• SuiteRadio is offering a totally turn-key and inventory-free six-song retrospect on the life and career of David Crosby, hosted by Hall of Fame personality Donna McKenzie, and available via digital by contacting Jim Jones at jim@suiteradio.net.
• Benztown has also created an Audio Tribute to David Crosby, written and produced by Thomas Green and voiced by Darren Silva.
