David Crosby Obituary, Death – David Crosby, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who sang for The Byrds before joining Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young in a supergroup, has died. He was 81. Jan, his wife, made the announcement today. “We announce the passing of our beloved David (Croz) Crosby after a long illness,” she said in a statement. “He was surrounded by love from his wife and soulmate Jan, as well as his son Django. His humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us even though he is no longer with us. His legendary music will live on in perpetuity. All those who knew David and were touched by him wish you peace, love, and harmony. We will all miss him tremendously. We respectfully and kindly request privacy during this time of mourning and coping with our profound loss. Thank you for your prayers and support.”
Crosby rose to prominence as a singer and guitarist for The Byrds, a legendary Los Angeles-based folk-rock band known for fusing a groundbreaking guitar sound with eloquent melodies. He was a member of the group from 1964 to 1968 and sang on many of its hits, including the chart-topping covers “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!” Mr. Tambourine Man, which reached the Top 10 in the United States, was also the title of The Byrds’ first two albums. The Byrds, which also included Gene Clark, Rogen McGuinn, and Chris Hillman, were a major influence on the burgeoning L.A. folk-rock scene, which helped feed the country-rock genre exemplified by Lauren Canyon acts of the late 1960s and early 1970s, as well as groups like The Eagles and The Flying Burrito Brothers, the latter of which also featured Hillman.
Crosby, on the other hand, would be far more commercially successful with his next group. Crosby, Stills, and Nash was formed with fellow Lauren Canyon residents Stills and Nash, and their eponymous 1969 debut album reached the Top 10. The album included classic tracks like “Suite: Judy BLue Eyes” and “Marrakech Express,” both of which charted in the Top 30 in the United States, and it has sold over 4 million copies in the United States alone.