David Crosby, one of the most influential rock singers of the sixties, has passed away at the age of 81.
The singer-songwriter - who was a founding member of two of the biggest bands of the decade: The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, and Nash - was renowned for his guitar-playing and vocal harmonies.
His longstanding career helped shape the sound of early rock and beyond, and saw him become one of the rare artists to be inducted into the revered Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
His death was confirmed to Variety by his wife Jan Dance, who said: "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," the statement continued.
"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," she added.
Following news of his death, his former CSN band partner Graham Nash took to Instagram to post a tribute. Sharing a picture of their guitar cases, the 80-year-old wrote: "It is with a deep and profound sadness that I learned that my friend David Crosby has passed."
"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," he continued.
"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 said, adding: "My heart is truly with his wife, Jan, his son, Django, and all of the people he has touched in this world."
Born in Los Angeles in 1941, Crosby joined The Byrds in 1964 - a folk-rock group that achieved its first hit song with a cover of Bob Dylan's Tambourine Man.
He later formed the musical trio Crosby, Stills and Nash with the Hollies' Graham Nash and Buffalo Springfield's Stephen Stills, and their 1969 debut album went multi-platinum.
The group eventually added musical artist Neil Young and was called Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, before separating in the Seventies.
The 'Déjà Vu' singer's 60s sex-drugs-and-rock 'n' roll lifestyle, led to him grappling with addiction for many years. In 1982, he was arrested in Texas on drug and weapons charges that led to a five-month prison stay in 1986. He also underwent liver transplant surgery in 1994.
In one of his last interviews with Variety from last year, Crosby declared that he was done performing live, saying: "I’m too old to do it anymore. I don’t have the stamina; I don’t have the strength."
However, he said that he was still recording music prolifically, explaining: "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," he added.
The musician is survived by his wife, their son Django, son James Raymond, and two daughters, Erika and Donovan, from previous relationships.
Our thoughts are with Crosby's family, friends, and fans at this time.
