David Crosby dead at 81: Crosby, Stills & Nash singer-songwriter passes away after a ‘long illness’

Iconic musician David Crosby has died at the age of 81, DailyMail.com has confirmed.

The member of the band the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash died Thursday ‘after a long illness,’ his wife Jan Dance told Variety. 

 ‘It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away,’ she said in the statement. ‘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.

The latest: Iconic musician David Crosby has died at the age of 81, as his wife Jan Dance told Variety that he passed away after a ‘long illness.’  Pictured in 2020 in LA 

She continued: ‘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 was a singer and guitarist for The Byrds from 1964-1967, along with Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke. The folk rock group, based out of Los Angeles, had notable hits such as Turn! Turn! Turn! and Mr. Tambourine Man. 

He later formed the musical trio Crosby, Stills & Nash with the Hollies’ Graham Nash and Buffalo Springfield’s Stephen Stills, with the group’s 1969 debut album going multi-platinum. The album had notable hits such as Suite: Judy Blue Eyes and Marrakesh Express.

The famed musician was seen onstage in Los Angeles in 2019 

Crosby was pictured with bandmates Graham Nash and Stephen Stills on the cover of the 1969 album Crosby, Stills & Nash

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The group eventually added legendary musical artist Neil Young into the fold, and were called Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, before a series of partings and reunions in the 1970s. 

The quartet had a trio of number one albums: 1970’s Déjà Vu – which includes the hits Teach Your Children, Ohio and Woodstock – as well as 1971’s 4-Way Street and the 1974 compilation So Far. 

Crosby also released a solo album titled If Only I Could Remember My Name in 1971, also releasing a series of albums with Nash in 1972, 1975 and 1976. 

The vocalist was seen during his time with The Byrds in 1967 in Los Angeles 

He was pictured in September of 1969 at the Big Sur Folk Festival in Big Sur, California

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young performed with Joni Mitchell at England’s Wembley Stadium in 1974

The Byrds – (L-R) Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, Chris Hillman, David Crosby – were pictured in London in 1966

Crosby, Stills & Nash got back together for the 1977 album CSN, which featured the single Just a Song Before I Go. 

The group also put out albums including 1981’s Replay and 1982’s Daylight Again, the latter of which included the singles Wasted on the Way and Southern Cross. The group also released the 1983 album Allies.

Crosby ran into significant legal troubles in the mid-1980s, as he was convicted in connection with drug and weapons charges, leading to a nine-month 1985 stint in Texas state prison. 

Crosby was the sperm donor father of singer Melissa Etheridge’s two children, one of whom ended up dying of a drug overdose in May of 2020. 

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The accomplished musician was seen in the Netherlands in 1976

Crosby was pictured playing guitar in Tokyo in December of 1975 

Crosby was the sperm donor father of singer Melissa Etheridge’s two children, one of whom ended up dying of a drug overdose in May of 2020. She was pictured in 2018