One of the most influential rock singers of his generation, David Crosby has died at the age of 81…
OBITUARY by Ian Woolley
L-R Jim McGuinn, Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, Chris, and David Crosby
Founding the Byrds, and later on becoming one of the trio Crosby, Stills & Nash, Crosby wore his heart on his sleeve but gave the world some of it’s iconic American folk classics.
Born in LA in 1941, it was in the US city that he met Roger McGinn, Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, and Chris Hillman to form the Byrds.
It was fellow folk singer Bob Dylan who penned their first chart success, “Mr.Tambourine Man”. Encapsulating the flower-power movement that would make the world stage several years later, it topped the singles charts on both sides of the Atlantic.
Other hits like “All I Really Want To Do” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!” made them one of the most sought-after acts on the festival circuit.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Despite their success, he left the band in 1967 to join Stephen Stills and ex-Hollies member Graham Nash in what would be classed as rock’s first-ever supergroup. Later on, they would be joined by Neil Young.
On social media, fellow member Graham Nash stated former bandmate Graham Nash wrote: “It is with a deep and 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. 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.”
Outspoken Crosby certainly pulled no punches. He openly confessed to using Cannabis and was jailed over drugs and weapons charges in 1985, after being found with a gun in a Texas nightclub.
In later life, Crosby suffered from type 2 diabetes and underwent a liver transplant in 1994.