'Fearless in life and in music...' Remembering music legend David Crosby

  • David Crosby has died at the age of 81. The rock legend - who was a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash - achieved huge success during his career, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on two occasions. However, he also enjoyed a very controversial and colorful life outside of the music business. Here, we take a closer look at the life and times of the iconic musician...
    1/11

    RIP David Crosby

    David Crosby has died at the age of 81. The rock legend - who was a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash - achieved huge success during his career, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on two occasions. However, he also enjoyed a very controversial and colorful life outside of the music business. Here, we take a closer look at the life and times of the iconic musician...
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • Crosby was born in Los Angeles in 1941. He was the second son of Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby, and Aliph Van Cortlandt Whitehead, who worked at a department store. Crosby initially studied at Santa Barbara City College before he dropped out to pursue a career in the music business. The decision was to change his life.
    2/11

    Early life

    Crosby was born in Los Angeles in 1941. He was the second son of Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby, and Aliph Van Cortlandt Whitehead, who worked at a department store. Crosby initially studied at Santa Barbara City College before he dropped out to pursue a career in the music business. The decision was to change his life.
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • Crosby joined The Byrds in 1964, and they quickly became one of the most popular bands in the world. The group enjoyed a meteoric rise and their hits included a cover of the Bob Dylan track 'Tambourine Man' and 'Turn! Turn! Turn!'. Despite this, Crosby left the group in acrimonious circumstances in 1967, as he eyed the next chapter of his music career...
    3/11

    The Byrds fly high in the charts

    Crosby joined The Byrds in 1964, and they quickly became one of the most popular bands in the world. The group enjoyed a meteoric rise and their hits included a cover of the Bob Dylan track 'Tambourine Man' and 'Turn! Turn! Turn!'. Despite this, Crosby left the group in acrimonious circumstances in 1967, as he eyed the next chapter of his music career...
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • The guitarist subsequently formed Crosby, Stills and Nash with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. The iconic trio performed together for the first time at the historic Woodstock festival in 1969, and they were later joined by Neil Young. The band enjoyed spectacular success during the 1970s and they're still regarded as one of the most influential groups of the era.
    4/11

    Crosby, Stills and Nash

    The guitarist subsequently formed Crosby, Stills and Nash with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. The iconic trio performed together for the first time at the historic Woodstock festival in 1969, and they were later joined by Neil Young. The band enjoyed spectacular success during the 1970s and they're still regarded as one of the most influential groups of the era.
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • Crosby won a host of awards during his career, with his bands and as a solo artist. He was actually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on two occasions, for his work with the Byrds, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. He also won the Best New Artist Grammy with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash in 1969.
    5/11

    A Hall of Famer

    Crosby won a host of awards during his career, with his bands and as a solo artist. He was actually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on two occasions, for his work with the Byrds, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. He also won the Best New Artist Grammy with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash in 1969.
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • The rock icon lived a particularly turbulent life away from the music scene. In 1962, he had a son called James with Celia Crawford Ferguson who was placed for adoption, before being reunited with his dad as an adult. Crosby - who had three other children - also suffered heartbreak in the late '90s, when his brother Ethan took his own life.
    6/11

    A turbulent personal life

    The rock icon lived a particularly turbulent life away from the music scene. In 1962, he had a son called James with Celia Crawford Ferguson who was placed for adoption, before being reunited with his dad as an adult. Crosby - who had three other children - also suffered heartbreak in the late '90s, when his brother Ethan took his own life.
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • In 2000, music star Melissa Etheridge revealed that Crosby was actually the sperm donor for her two children with Julie Cypher. Melissa explained that the couple turned to artificial insemination in a bid to have children. However, the story took a tragic turn two decades later when Melissa revealed via Twitter that their son, Beckett, had died of opioid addiction at the age of 21.
    7/11

    A surprise sperm donor

    In 2000, music star Melissa Etheridge revealed that Crosby was actually the sperm donor for her two children with Julie Cypher. Melissa explained that the couple turned to artificial insemination in a bid to have children. However, the story took a tragic turn two decades later when Melissa revealed via Twitter that their son, Beckett, had died of opioid addiction at the age of 21.
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • Crosby had numerous run-ins with the law throughout his life. In the mid-80s, the outspoken star actually spent nine months in a prison in Texas after he was convicted of several drugs and weapons offenses. He was also arrested for drunken driving, a hit-and-run accident, and possession of a concealed weapon in 1985.
    8/11

    A rebel with a cause

    Crosby had numerous run-ins with the law throughout his life. In the mid-80s, the outspoken star actually spent nine months in a prison in Texas after he was convicted of several drugs and weapons offenses. He was also arrested for drunken driving, a hit-and-run accident, and possession of a concealed weapon in 1985.
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • Crosby launched his own cannabis brand called MIGHTY CROZ, with the help of entrepreneur Steven Sponder. The music legend often spoke about his own cannabis use and how it inspired his songwriting skills. He also claimed that cannabis helped him to overcome various health issues, meaning he was able to tour well into his 70s.
    9/11

    Crosby had a cannabis brand

    Crosby launched his own cannabis brand called MIGHTY CROZ, with the help of entrepreneur Steven Sponder. The music legend often spoke about his own cannabis use and how it inspired his songwriting skills. He also claimed that cannabis helped him to overcome various health issues, meaning he was able to tour well into his 70s.
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • The chart-topping star was politically active and outspoken throughout his time in the spotlight. Crosby was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War, and in recent years, he's also been fiercely critical of former US President Donald Trump. He once described the billionaire businessman as a "dangerous guy who's got a big ego".
    10/11

    Down with Donald Trump

    The chart-topping star was politically active and outspoken throughout his time in the spotlight. Crosby was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War, and in recent years, he's also been fiercely critical of former US President Donald Trump. He once described the billionaire businessman as a "dangerous guy who's got a big ego".
    ©BANG Showbiz
  • Former bandmate Graham Nash has paid a glowing tribute to the rock icon, saying he'll leave an "incredible legacy". He said: "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."
    11/11

    Crosby remembered

    Former bandmate Graham Nash has paid a glowing tribute to the rock icon, saying he'll leave an "incredible legacy". He said: "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."
    ©BANG Showbiz
David Crosby has died at the age of 81. The rock legend - who was a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash - achieved huge success during his career, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on two occasions. However, he also enjoyed a very controversial and colorful life outside of the music business. Here, we take a closer look at the life and times of the iconic musician...
Crosby was born in Los Angeles in 1941. He was the second son of Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby, and Aliph Van Cortlandt Whitehead, who worked at a department store. Crosby initially studied at Santa Barbara City College before he dropped out to pursue a career in the music business. The decision was to change his life.
Crosby joined The Byrds in 1964, and they quickly became one of the most popular bands in the world. The group enjoyed a meteoric rise and their hits included a cover of the Bob Dylan track 'Tambourine Man' and 'Turn! Turn! Turn!'. Despite this, Crosby left the group in acrimonious circumstances in 1967, as he eyed the next chapter of his music career...
The guitarist subsequently formed Crosby, Stills and Nash with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. The iconic trio performed together for the first time at the historic Woodstock festival in 1969, and they were later joined by Neil Young. The band enjoyed spectacular success during the 1970s and they're still regarded as one of the most influential groups of the era.
Crosby won a host of awards during his career, with his bands and as a solo artist. He was actually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on two occasions, for his work with the Byrds, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. He also won the Best New Artist Grammy with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash in 1969.
The rock icon lived a particularly turbulent life away from the music scene. In 1962, he had a son called James with Celia Crawford Ferguson who was placed for adoption, before being reunited with his dad as an adult. Crosby - who had three other children - also suffered heartbreak in the late '90s, when his brother Ethan took his own life.
In 2000, music star Melissa Etheridge revealed that Crosby was actually the sperm donor for her two children with Julie Cypher. Melissa explained that the couple turned to artificial insemination in a bid to have children. However, the story took a tragic turn two decades later when Melissa revealed via Twitter that their son, Beckett, had died of opioid addiction at the age of 21.
Crosby had numerous run-ins with the law throughout his life. In the mid-80s, the outspoken star actually spent nine months in a prison in Texas after he was convicted of several drugs and weapons offenses. He was also arrested for drunken driving, a hit-and-run accident, and possession of a concealed weapon in 1985.
Crosby launched his own cannabis brand called MIGHTY CROZ, with the help of entrepreneur Steven Sponder. The music legend often spoke about his own cannabis use and how it inspired his songwriting skills. He also claimed that cannabis helped him to overcome various health issues, meaning he was able to tour well into his 70s.
The chart-topping star was politically active and outspoken throughout his time in the spotlight. Crosby was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War, and in recent years, he's also been fiercely critical of former US President Donald Trump. He once described the billionaire businessman as a "dangerous guy who's got a big ego".
Former bandmate Graham Nash has paid a glowing tribute to the rock icon, saying he'll leave an "incredible legacy". He said: "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."

David Crosby has died at the age of 81.
The rock legend - who was a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash - achieved huge success during his career, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on two occasions.
However, he also enjoyed a very controversial and colorful life outside of the music business.
Here, we take a closer look at the life and times of the iconic musician...

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