Guitarist David Crosby, one of the most important and influential names in folkrock of the 1960s, died this Thursday (19) at the age of 81. The information was confirmed by his wife Jan Dance in an official statement.
According to the report, the artist died after a long illness, “surrounded by his wife and son”.
Crosby went down in music history as a founding member of two very important bands in the construction of rock, The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, CS&N. While the former was instrumental in the Los Angeles folk rock scene between 1964 and 1967, the latter ushered in a supergroup era in music by linking the guitarist to Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of The Hollies later Neil Young also join the band’s lineup.
On either team, Crosby wasn’t the biggest name in songwriting, but he did play an important role in creating the harmony of the tracks that would go on to become greatest hits. Even the success of Bob Dylan’s cover of “Mr. Tambourine Man”, which hit number one on the US charts in 1965, made The Byrds the “American answer” to the Beatles at the time.
Although he never enjoyed the same level of success as he did then, Crosby continued to tour successfully in the 2000s and was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1991 for his work in The Byrds and in 1997 for CS&N.
The guitarist, also known as the son of Floyd Crosby, cinematographer and Oscar winner for FW Murnau’s “Taboo,” ventured out on a solo career in 1971, supported by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Santana and members of the Grateful Tot and the Jefferson Plane. The song “If I Could Only Remember My Name”, released the same year, was a hit in the US.
In addition to his wife and son Django, David Crosby is survived by three children from previous relationships.