Rock legend dies at 81
David Crosby, founding member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) has died due to a long illness.
Jan Dance, his wife of 36 years, confirmed his passing in a statement to Variety.
The statement read: "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".
The family have asked to respect their privacy during this "profound loss".
His former CSNY partner Graham Nash, paid tribute to the guitarist through social media.
He started the post with the caption, "It is with a deep and profound sadness that I learned that my friend David Crosby has passed".
The former band members had an estranged relationship following a feud with Crosby.
Nash acknowledged this in his tribute, he added: "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," he continued.
He ended the tribute with: "My heart is truly with his wife, Jan, his son, Django, and all of the people he has touched in this world".
Many fans have also taken to social media to pay their tribute.
"No, no, no. I am sitting here shaking. Not David Crosby. He was the soundtrack of my life," tweeted one fan.
"David Crosby dies at 81. From the Byrds to CSN, CSNY, C&N & his solo work, he was a unique talent... I always though his 'Almost Cut My Hair' defined the hippie movement. May his 'freak flag fly' forever," another tweeted.
His death comes as a shock to fans who followed his very active Twitter. Just two days ago, he tweeted a joke about heaven: "“I heard the place is overrated… cloudy".
Crosby is survived by his wife, his sons Django and James, and his daughters Erika and Donovan.
Image: Getty, Twitter