Tributes are continuing to pour in from across the world, following music legend David Crosby’s death at the age of 81 years old.
The Our House and Teach Your Children singer was part of some of the world’s biggest bands, and created music that has inspired generations of artists.
However, he also led a very wild life away from the stage too – including a prison stint during the eighties and being the son of an award winning Hollywood star.
READ MORE: Singer David Crosby dies aged 81 after a ‘long illness’, wife confirms
As the world continues to pay tribute to David Crosby, Daily star has taken a closer look inside the singer’s life.
Famous father
(Image: Getty Images for The Recording A)
David Crosby is known for his influential music – but did you know that he was not the only famous star in his family?
Creative talents certainly ran in the genes, as his father was none other than Hollywood cinematographer Floyd Crosby.
Floyd won a Golden Globe award for his cinematography work on 1952’s High Noon, and worked on more than 100 full-length feature films throughout his career.
Music icon
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
David Crosby rose to fame in the 1960s when he formed two of music’s legendary groups – The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
After founding The Byrds with Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark, they released iconic records including Turn! Turn! Turn! and Mr Tambourine Man.
However in 1969, supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash – consisting of Stephen Stills, David Crosby and Graham Nash – made their debut with hits including Long Time Gone and made one of their first live appearances at the legendary Woodstock festival.
It was not long before Neil Young joined the group, with the band releasing their multi-million selling album Deja Vu in 1970, which included the anthems Our House and Teach Your Children.
The supergroup later split into two separate duos, Crosby & Nash and Stills & Young, but the group reformed to perform at Live Aid in Philadelphia in 1985, as well as touring in the noughties.
(Image: Michael Ochs Archives)
He also formed the group CPR (Crosby, Pevar and Raymond), featuring guitarist Jeff Pevar and pianist James Raymond, who was also David’s son.
David also had a successful solo career, releasing multiple studio albums including If I Could Only Remember My Name, Lighthouse, Sky Trails and his final release, 2021’s For Free.
It is no surprise that he was subsequently inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame twice – once for his work with The Byrds, and a second time for his work with Crosby, Stills and Nash.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
However, he made headlines when he stated in 2022 that he was no longer going to be performing live, with Variety reporting the star as saying during a public appearance: “I’m too old to do it anymore. I don’t have the stamina; I don’t have the strength.”
The star did add that he was hoping to release further records though, adding: “I’ve been making records at a startling rate. … Now I’m 80 years old so I’m gonna die fairly soon. That’s how that works.
“And so I’m trying really hard to crank out as much music as I possibly can, as long as it’s really good… I have another one already in the can waiting.”
Joni Mitchell romance
(Image: Getty Images)
Not only was David Crosby an influential musician, but he also discovered one of the world’s greatest singer-songwriters – Joni Mitchell.
The Big Yellow Taxi Singer’s debut album, 1968’s Songs To A Seagull, was produced by David Crosby and during this time, the two musicians also embarked on a brief romance.
Following their split, Joni later began dating David’s band mate Graham Nash, about who she wrote the song River in 1971.
David later admitted to The New York Post in 2019: “I do still love her,” adding: “Our relationship has always been thorny but good.”
Heartbreaking loss and prison stint
(Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
In 1970, David suffered heartbreak when his girlfriend at the time was killed in a car accident, with The BBC reporting that his use of drugs increased substantially following her death.
In 1982, the singer was later sentenced to five years in a Texas State Prison, following an arrest on drugs and weapons charges, with the star later serving five months.
Following his prison stint, David decided to get clean from drugs and credited his sentence for helping him to do so, telling The New York Post: “I had tried going into treatment, and it didn’t work. I went into prison, and it worked.”
Health battles
(Image: Getty Images)
David faced a number of health battles in his life, including being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The star also received a liver transplant in 1994, and in 2014, postponed a series of solo tour dates to undergo heart surgery, saying in a statement at the time: “I am very glad that I listened to my doctors and my family.
“It seems I am once again a very lucky man. I’m sorry to have to move the dates, but I promise the music will be good when we do play them.”
Reuniting with long-lost son
(Image: Sygma via Getty Images)
David welcomed a son called James Raymond with Celia Crawford Ferguson in 1962, but their son was put up for adoption soon after birth.
However, David reunited with his adult son after James, who was also a musician, discovered who his father was and tracked him down.
They soon worked together in the group CPR, who released two studio albums including their self titled debut and 2001’s Just Like Gravity.
Speaking about reuniting with his son to The Guardian, David said: “He gave me a chance to earn my way into his life … by making music with him.
“Imagine how I feel about my son being that good a writer. I wear it like a garland of flowers on my head. It’s just f*****g wonderful.”
Family life
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
In May 1987, David married wife Jan Dance, with who he welcomed a son called Django.
David would gush about wife Jan during interviews and on social media, with the singer sharing a sweet throwback snap of the two of them together on Twitter in 2022.
He captioned the post: “Me and my valentine and some fine trees.”
The singer also had a daughter called Erika with Jackie Guthrie and another daughter called Donovan with former girlfriend Debbie Donovan.
Sperm donor
(Image: WireImage)
David was close friends with a number of singers, including songwriter Melissa Ethridge.
He later acted as a sperm donor for Melissa and her partner Julie Cypher, with the couple welcoming two children called Bailey and Beckett.
However, their eldest son Beckett Cypher died in May 2021 following a drug overdose at the age of 21 years old.
Paying tribute to David following his death, Melissa took to Twitter saying: “He gave me the gift of family. I will forever be grateful to him, Django, and Jan.
“His music and legacy will inspire many generations to come. A true treasure.”
Tragic death
(Image: Getty Images North America)
David Crosby died on January 19, 2023 after a “long illness,” with his death announced by wife Jan Dance 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. 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.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Tributes have continued to pour in from fans and friends across the world, with David’s former bandmate Graham Nash saying on Instagram: “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.
“He leaves behind a tremendous void.”
The Beach Boy’s singer Brian Wilson shared a tribute on Twitter, saying: “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. I just am at a loss for words.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
