Friends and fans share tributes after David Crosby’s passing

Melissa Etheridge, Neil Young, and more pay tribute to the iconic 60s rocker.
January 20, 2023 12:37 p.m. EST
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Legendary musician David Crosby, founder of iconic '60s bands The Byrds, and Crosby, Still & Nash (later known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)  has sadly passed away at the age of 81. No cause of death was given at press time.

Crosby's wife, Jan Dance, released a statement about the musician's passing, writing, "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,” her statement to Variety continued.

"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."

Fellow musicians and fans have started to honour the “Helplessly Hoping” musician online. 

“Come To My Window” singer Melissa Etheridge is one of the more notable musicians who is mourning Crosby’s passing, as the two famously revealed in 2000 that he donated his sperm to Etheridge to conceive her two children Bailey and Beckett.

“I am grieving the loss of my friend, and Bailey’s and Beckett’s biological father, David,” she wrote on Instagram. “He gave me the gift of family. I will forever be grateful to him, Django, and Jan. His music and legacy will inspire many generations to come. A true treasure.”

During a 2000 appearance on Larry King Live!, Etheridge confirmed that Crosby was the biological father of her children that she shared with ex-partner Julie Cypher. Then in the same year, Etheridge and Crosby posed together with their children for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, where they spoke about keeping his parentage a secret for so long. Tragically, their son Beckett died in 2020 from an opioid overdose.

Upon hearing the news of Crosby’s passing, Canadian rocker Neil Young, who was a close friend and fellow rocker in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, paid tribute to Crosby on his website, writing, “David is gone, but his music lives on. The soul of CSNY, David’s voice and energy were at the heart of our band. His great songs stood for what we believed in and it was always fun and exciting when we got to play together. ‘Almost Cut My Hair’ and ‘Deja Vu,’ and so many other great songs he wrote were wonderful to jam on and [Stephen] Stills and I had a blast as he kept going on and on. His singing with Graham [Nash] was memorable, their duo spot a highlight of so many of our shows.”

The “Harvest Moon” crooner continued his tribute, writing, “We had so many great times, especially in the early years. Crosby was a very supportive friend in my early life, as we bit off big pieces of our experience together. David was the catalyst of many things. My heart goes out to Jan and Django, his wife and son. Lots of love to you. Thanks David for your spirit and songs, Love you man. I remember the best times!”

Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys wrote on Twitter, "I don't know what to say other than I'm heartbroken to hear about David Crosby. David was an unbelievable talent — such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I just am at a loss for words. Love & Mercy to David's family and friends." 

Sebastian Bach, frontman of Skid Row, shared on Twitter, "As much as I loved his music I loved his thoughts on Twitter as well. Rest In peace, David Crosby. Thank you for the lifetime of inspiration."

Speaking of Crosby’s official Twitter, one of the last tweets he shared on January 18 is now taking on greater meaning. Offering his thoughts on the possible existence of heaven, he wrote, “I heard the place is overrated….cloudy.”


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