David Crosby has died aged 81 (Picture: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Graham Nash has paid tribute to David Crosby and hailed him as ‘fearless in life and in music’.
The iconic musician, one third of legendary group Crosby, Stills, and Nash which also included Stephen Stills and later Neil Young, died at the age of 81 following a ‘long illness’, his wife Jan Dance confirmed in a statement, and his former bandmate has led tributes to his late friend.
Sharing a picture of Crosby’s engraved guitar case on Instagram, The Hollies band member Nash wrote: ‘It is with a deep and profound sadness that I learned that my friend David Crosby has passed.
‘I know people tend to focus on how volatile our relationship has been at times, but what has always mattered to David and me more than anything was the pure joy of the music we created together, the sound we discovered with one another, and the deep friendship we shared over all these many long years.
‘David was fearless in life and in music. He leaves behind a tremendous void as far as sheer personality and talent in this world. He spoke his mind, his heart, and his passion through his beautiful music and leaves an incredible legacy. These are the things that matter most.”
The 80-year-old added that his heart is with his wife, son and ‘all of the people he has touched in this world’.
David Crosby and Graham Nash played together in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Picture: Tom Copi/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Graham paid tribute to his late bandmate (Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
Crosby rose to fame in The Byrds, who he joined in 1964 alongside Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke, and played on chart-topping hits including a cover of Bob Dylan’s Mr Tambourine Man, which leapt to number one in the US singles chart, and Turn! Turn! Turn!.
Shortly after leaving the band in 1967 following a tumultuous tenure, he joined supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash.
During his time in the band Crosby wrote Guinnevere, Almost Cut My Hair, Long Time Gone, Delta and Deja Vu – however constant clashing led the band to topple in the 1970s.
David Crosby was also a member of The Byrds (Picture: Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images)
Over the years, the band sporadically re-grouped, including when Crosby and Nash recorded and toured regularly, and Crosby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice for his role in both bands.
Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson was one of the first to pen a tribute to Crosby, writing that he is ‘at a loss for words’ following the news.
He tweeted: ‘I don’t know what to say other than I’m heartbroken to hear about David Crosby. David was an unbelievable talent – such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person.’
He leaves behind an incredibly legacy (Picture: Mike Windle/Getty Images for IMF)
Elsewhere, the official Twitter account of Tom Petty has also hailed the rock icon, describing Crosby as a ‘friend and a hero’ to the late Free Fallin’ hitmaker, who died in October 2017, aged 66.
The tweet read: ‘Tom counted David Crosby as a friend and a hero. He visited often at his house in the valley. He was funny, provocative and electric with talent. His contribution to music will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and love to his family, bandmates and fans.’
Meanwhile, Christina Applegate also took to Twitter to praise the rock star, and wrote: ‘Tonight at 7pm PST my friends and neighborhood will howl and then blast CSN to honor this beautiful soul and legend. If you do this, please send me videos RIP David Crosby!! We love you. (sic)’
In a statement to Variety, his wife Jan wrote: ‘It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away. 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 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.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash musician David Crosby dies aged 81 after ‘long illness’
He pays tribute to his late friend.
