The music world and beyond mourn the passing of David Crosby.
Crosby, a founding member of the bands The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, died after a “long illness,” his wife said on Thursday. He was 81.
In response to the news, Brian Wilson – singer, songwriter and co-founder of The Beach Boys – shared via Twitter a photo of him and Crosby chatting at an event.
“I don’t know what to say except that it breaks my heart to hear from David Crosby,” he wrote. “David was an incredible talent – such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I just can’t find the words. Love and mercy to David’s family and friends. Love, Brian.”
Melissa Etheridge, who previously confirmed Crosby was the biological father of her two children – Bailey and Beckett (who died in 2020) with former partner Julie Cypher via artificial insemination – also paid tribute to the late musician.
“Mourning the loss of my friend Beckett and Bailey’s biological father, David,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the couple. “He gave me a family. I will forever be grateful to him, Django and Jan. His music and legacy will inspire many generations to come. A real treasure.”
Christina Applegate shared how she plans to pay homage to her.
“Tonight at 7pm PST my friends and neighborhood will howl and then blast CSN to honor this beautiful soul and legend. If you do please send me videos RIP David Crosby!! We love you,” she wrote.
The Doors also shared a message via their official Twitter page, which read: “The world has lost another ethereal anchor of the ’60s peace and love movement; a legend in his own right and whatever group he belonged to. Coming in the same era as The Doors, David Crosby had the voice and songwriting skills that made him totally unique…”
In a touching message, the band Home Free wished “the legendary David Crosby a safe passage to the other side”.
“We’ve always been inspired by his beautiful songwriting and will never finish unpacking the layers of his music,” reads the statement, which was released alongside their own rendition of Crosby, Stills & Nash’s Helpless Hoping.
Actor and rock singer Michael Des Barres hailed Crosby as someone who “hung on to his guns” as well as “a difficult and gifted man. His talent and taste were immense”.
Des Barres continued, “His harmonic voice still reverberates around Laurel Canyon. A proud man who said what he said and felt what he felt without apology. A brilliant songwriter and an American icon, RIP.”
Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash wrote: “I can’t begin to tell you how influential Crosby, Stills and Nash have been to me. I’m thankful David Crosby lived and so sad he’s gone.”
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Danny Deraney, an Emmy-winning publicist who previously worked with Crosby, also paid tribute with a classic video of Crosby belting out “Long Time Gone,” a hit released by Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1969.
“Sometimes I pinch myself when I look back at the people I worked with, who I admired as a kid. I have repeated David Crosby on several occasions. He was his own man. He could be argumentative, he could be a kitty. That was Cros. About as real as it gets,” Deraney tweeted.
Crosby’s wife announced his death in a statement to Variety on Thursday.
“It is with great sadness that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away after a long illness,” she said. “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. His legacy will live on through his legendary music.”
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She concluded: “Peace, love and harmony to all who knew David and to those he touched. We will miss him very much. At this time, we respectfully and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and try to come to terms with our profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers.”
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