Today, January 19, the music world lost one of its longest-burning and outspoken voices. David Crosby, the acclaimed singer/songwriter, and founder of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, and Nash has passed away. The storied guitarist and vocalist was 81 years old as the news broke earlier today from a source close to the musician. Crosby’s guitar stylings shaped the rock music of the ‘60s and continue to influence generations to this day. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two different times for both of the aforementioned bands, once in 1991 for The Byrds and again in 1997 for Crosby, Stills, and Nash. and was still touring up until 2019.
It was only eight months ago that Crosby announced he was done touring but apparently had been recording at a feverish rate. In a social media post from his former band member Graham Nash, Nash stated that “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.” You can read Nash’s full post here:
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. My heart is truly with his wife, Jan, his son, Django, and all of the people he has touched in this world.
Since the news broke, there has been an outpour of love and admiration for Crosby and the legacy he left behind. Below are a few tweets from fellow legends paying their respect to one of the greats;
His legacy is carried through his six children, his spouse, and the art he created that shaped multiple generations.
