US rock star David Crosby has died aged 81 

American rock star David Crosby has died aged 81 

Crosby set up two major bands in the 1960s: The Byrds, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. He was known for his guitar playing and vocals and had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. 

His wife told Variety he died “after a long illness” while surrounded by family.

“His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music,” her statement added.

David Crosby dies – ‘profound sadness’

Californian-born Crosby was the son of Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby.

He joined The Byrds in 1964 – a folk-rock group, a few years later he formed the supergroup, Crosby, Stills and Nash, where they performed at the legendary Woodstock festival in 1969. He was fired a few years later. 

His six-decade career ended in his final album For Free – released in 2021. 

For most of his career, he had suffered from substance abuse, which intensified following the death of a girlfriend in his youth. 

He had periods of bad health, and a liver transplant in 1994. 

Following the musician’s death, bandmate Graham Nash expressed his “profound sadness” despite the two men’s often “volatile” relationship, adding that Crosby left behind a “tremendous void”.

Stephen Stills said that his late collaborator was “without question a giant of a musician”, even though they had “butted heads a lot of the time”.

Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson wrote on Twitter that he was “heartbroken” at the news – as his fellow star had been an “unbelievable talent” and a “wonderful person”.