Turn, turn, turn. David Crosby die today at age 81 in LA where he was born. I have listened to his music since I was a teenager, saw him in concert at Denver Red Rocks Amphitheater, and know most words to his songs. What happened? I am still in shock from the news today. Social Media is full of tributes to Crosby from his bandmates, family, and fans around the world. I love the unique Tweet from actress Christina Applegate, "Tonight at 7pm, my LA 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.”
Recently, I read David's autobiography "Long Time Gone" about his career, drug and family struggles, rehab, jail, and his return. David has produced eight solo albums, and numerous concerts, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. David has survived a liver transplant, a motorcycle accident, and an almost fatal car accident that took the life of his then-girlfriend. David and his current wife Jan have supported each other through many tours, drug addiction, rehab, and recovery. During this time, many unnamed people took advantage of David's generosity and stole his drugs and money. David continued to perform his beautiful, melodic songs onstage even while high. David had a 66-year-old sailboat 'The Mayan' which took him on many interesting adventures. Unfortunately, David eventually ended up in a Texas State Prison on drug and weapons charges for nine months. A local Texas music teacher taught a prison class David became his assistant. Crosby's music has touched many lives. His gentle support of those in need, his creative spirit, and the battles he fought with drugs and health have made him a survivor.
David Crosby said, "I've got to make the most of every minute I have, wouldn't you?" In the 1970s, he was famous in the Laurel Canyon music scene. He has inspired many musicians including Joni Mitchell who wrote 'Woodstock'. David began his career in the rock group, "The Byrds". Crosby had a troubled relationship with The Byrds and was eventually kicked out. However, he was one of the first musicians to become friends with The Beatles. 'Long Time Gone" was a song from 1969 about the assassination of Robert Kennedy. Crosby was outspoken politically with his music his entire life.
Crosby told Howard Stern that Young and Nash will probably never speak to him again and that, “When you meet, when you start a band, you’re in love with each other,” Neil Young played music with Crosby for 40 years and Young said in 2019 that, "Forty years later, when you’ve done it for forty years and it’s devolved to just turn on the smoke machine and play your hits, it’s not musically exciting, it’s not fun and we weren’t friends.” Young said concerts became a routine of turning on the smoke machine, and playing hits, and were not musically exciting. Young recently removed CSN & Young music from Spotify over misinformation about COVID-19. Today, Graham Nash wrote a tribute saying that he admires the music Crosby wrote and that he will miss him. People focus too much on the rifts in relationships. Actually, Crosby's autobiography "Long Time Gone" explains his personal views of their band conflicts if you care for details.
Crosby was a family man and loved his children and his wife Jan. He married Jan Dance in 1987 and they have a 28-year-old son together named Django. He also has six children with multiple mothers. His first child James Raymond was given up for adoption, but they reunited as adults and he is also a musician. His next son James Raymond played in the touring band with CSN & Young and they were scheduled to perform together next month at a concert in Santa Barbara. Crosby was also a surrogate father for singer Melissa Etheridge's son Beckett and daughter Bailey who recently graduated from college. Tragically, her son died of opiate addiction two years ago. Etheridge wrote about her gratefulness to Crosby as the biological father of her two children.
Graham Nash wrote in his public tribute today that he admits that Crosby 'was fearless in life and in music' and he will miss him. The press may focus too much on the rifts in their relationships. Actually, Crosby's autobiography explains his side of the multiple conflicts and is worth the read. Nash admired Crosby's sheer joy with music and wrote a tribute today to Crosby and the music they wrote and performed together. Turn, turn, turn! Crosby said don't waste time. It is the currency of life. Turn, turn,, turn.
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