David Crosby Dead at 81 Months After Retiring From Performing

David Crosby, one of the most influential singers and songwriters of the 1960s, has died at the age of 81, his wife confirmed to Variety on Thursday.  

The veteran rocker cofounded two of the biggest bands of the 1960s: The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. 

"His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music," his wife said in a statement to Variety. "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."

Crosby was born in Los Angeles in 1941, to the Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby, who won an Oscar for his work on the 1931 film "Tabu," and Aliph Van Cortlandt Whitehead, a Macy's department store salesperson.

He joined the Byrds in 1964, which scored its first hit with Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." Crosby, Stills & Nash — which became Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young once Neil Young joined — was formed in 1968 and released a series of hits including "Marrakesh Express," "Just a Song Before I Go," and "Woodstock."

While Crosby's success continued into 1980s, heavy drug use hurt his career and led to a nine-month jail sentence in a Texas state prison in 1985.

"I have no idea how I'm alive and Jimi [Hendrix] isn't and Janis [Joplin] isn't and all my other friends," he told Rolling Stone in 2014, years after he'd cleaned up. "I have no idea why me, but I got lucky." 

Crosby continued making music and touring for another three decades, cementing his reputation as one of the most noteworthy musicians of the 20th century. He announced he would retire from touring in May 2022. 

"I'm too old to do it anymore," he told Best Classic Bands. "I don't have the stamina; I don't have the strength."

Crosby was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, once in 1991 with the Byrds and then again six years later with Crosby, Stills & Nash. 

He is survived by his wife Jan Dance, their son Django, son James Raymond, and two daughters, Erika and Donovan, from previous relationships.

Correction: January 20, 2023 — An earlier version of this article misstated the year Crosby, Stills & Nash was formed. The band formed in 1968.