CNN —
David Crosby, a folk-rock pioneer and one of the founding members of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, has died, his family announced Thursday.
He was 81.
“It is with great sadness that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away after a long illness. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django,” the Crosby family said in a statement obtained by CNN through a family spokesman. “Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will live on through his legendary music.”
Crosby officials had no comment when reached by CNN.
Crosby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 with the Byrds and again in 1997 with Crosby, Stills & Nash along with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash.
“Peace, love and harmony to all who knew David and to those he touched,” the statement added. “We will miss him very much.”
Crosby, a native Californian and son of Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby, originally moved to Los Angeles from Santa Barbara in 1960 with intentions of becoming an actor.
However, the music called his name, and in 1963 he formed the rock group The Byrds with Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark.
The band was nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1965.
Among other hits, The Byrds released the song “Turn! Turn! Wende!”, which became popular again in the mid-90s with the 1994 feature film “Forrest Gump”.
Crosby won the Grammy Trophy for Best New Artist in 1970 as part of Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Crosby, Stills & Nash played Woodstock in 1969. It was only their second live performance together that propelled them to mainstream success.
The band’s first album, 1969’s Crosby, Stills & Nash, was an instant success and included the hits “Marrakesh Express” and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”.
In 1970, the group with Neil Young became known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and released Déjà Vu, which included the hit song “Woodstock”.
In addition to his solo albums, Crosby has collaborated with other music greats throughout his career, including Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, Carole King and Joni Mitchell.
Crosby is credited with discovering Mitchell, who he also dated.
The rocker has struggled with addiction in the past and has spent five months in prison on narcotics and weapons charges. He was released in 1986 and credited his time in prison with helping him get sober.
“They locked me in a box and I got off drugs and believe me it totally changes you,” he told the Guardian in 2021 You kill yourself and take care of your family again, you’re a decent guy and make music.”
Crosby has been open about his health issues, especially in recent years.
In 1994 he received a liver transplant. He has also undergone multiple heart surgeries and has been open about treating his diabetes.
Crosby told NME in 2021 that pursuing music keeps him “alive.”
“There are two (centers) in my life; my family and the music,” he added. “To be able to do more music at this advanced age is just a fucking miracle.”
In 1987 he married Jan Dance. The couple shared one son, Django.
Upon learning of Crosby’s death, musician Melissa Etheridge, who had two children with former partner Julie Cypher, who used Crosby as a sperm donor, wrote on Instagram that she “mourns the loss of my friend.”
“He gave me a family,” she wrote.
Referring to their at-time “fickle” relationship in a tribute on Facebook, Crosby’s former bandmate Nash wrote on Thursday: “What has always been important to David and me above all else has been the sheer joy of the music we created together. ”
The statement added: “David was fearless in life and in music. In terms of personality and talent, he leaves a tremendous void in this world. He spoke his mind, heart and passion through his beautiful music and leaves an incredible legacy. Those are the things that matter most.”
Stills, the other member of Crosby, Stills & Nash, shared in a statement on Facebook that “only the memory of a life so unique and fulfilling, lived so well, must carry us through this time with deep sorrow.”
The statement added that “David lived a life of deep and abiding gratitude and was an extraordinary rich feeling being,” going on to say that “his music will live on through us all.”
Carole King, who was brought onstage by Crosby and Nash on 1994’s You’ve Got a Friend, responded to the news on Facebook, saying: “My old friend David has gone but he left us with his words, his music and his beautiful voice.”
Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson also shared his opinion social media said he was “heartbroken”.
“David was an incredible talent – such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person,” he wrote.