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The music world suffered a heartbreaking loss on Thursday evening with the passing of David Crosby at the age of 81.
Crosby is best known as a founding member of both The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, which would later become Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with the addition of Buffalo Springfield’s Neil Young in 1969.
Crosby’s family shared the following statement confirming his passing:
“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.”
Crosby is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with both The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
The music world flooded Twitter with memories and tributes for the rock and roll legend.
Sometimes I pinch myself when I look back at the people I worked with who I admired as a kid.
I repped David Crosby on different occasions. He was his own man. He could be cantankerous, he could be a pussycat. That was Cros.
About as real as you could get.
Long Time Gone 1969 pic.twitter.com/BIylD1b0I7
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) January 19, 2023
“However much time I got isn’t really the significant thing — it’s what I do with that time, right? And it looks to me that the only contribution I can make, the place where I can help, is to make more music.”
– David Crosby in 2021 pic.twitter.com/g17n6wQeo0
— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) January 19, 2023
A few years ago I interviewed Crosby over the phone. He called promptly (“Lindsay? David Crosby”) but said with real gravitas, “Here’s the situation: I really want to talk to you, but I’m at a hotel and my breakfast just arrived.” I respected this immensely. RIP, honest king.
— Lindsay Zoladz (@lindsayzoladz) January 19, 2023
(He called back maybe 45 minutes later. A man who enjoyed breakfast and was also honest enough to admit on every possible occasion that he had been unqualified to produce Joni Mitchell’s Song to a Seagull. May he rest peacefully.)
— Lindsay Zoladz (@lindsayzoladz) January 19, 2023
By all accounts, the late David Crosby shouldn’t even have been alive in 2023. But having lost so many years to illness & self-destruction, Croz spent the last decade on a creative tear, making as much music and art as he could. Dude loved tunes! An inspiration. pic.twitter.com/DKiR4m21Xc
— Jason P. Woodbury (@jasonpwoodbury) January 19, 2023
david crosby was one of my favourite people to have on the show. this is from the first time we met. so funny, so candid, and someone who just deeply loved music. i’ll miss him. https://t.co/QPYDGfFbtT
— raina douris (@RahRahRaina) January 19, 2023
Crosby’s legendary CSNY bandmate, Graham Nash, also weighed in on the passing of his friend.
“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,” – Graham Nash on David Crosby https://t.co/wp8e23FWVl
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 19, 2023
“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,” Nash told Rolling Stone.
I can’t begin to say how influential Crosby, Stills and Nash were for me. I’m grateful David Crosby lived, and so very sad he’s gone.
— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) January 19, 2023
DAVID CROSBY I LOVE YOU FOREVER
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 19, 2023
We were lucky enough to have David Crosby bless the Red Rocks stage countless times over the years, from his first solo show in 1976 to his last appearance with Jason Isbell in 2019. He will be sorely missed 💔 pic.twitter.com/v7sbLZUNHM
— Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre (@RedRocksCO) January 19, 2023
The world has lost yet another ethereal fixture of the ‘60s peace and love movement; a legend within his own right, and every group he was a part of. Coming up in the same era as The Doors, David Crosby had the voice and song writing abilities that made him completely unique… pic.twitter.com/Rl9AFDEe7z
— The Doors (@TheDoors) January 19, 2023