Neil Young has hailed musician David Crosby as “the heart” of their US rock supergroup, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. The renowned singer-songwriter said Crosby had been “a very supportive friend in my early life” as well as a “catalyst of many things”.
Crosby died at the age of 81 following a “long illness”, his wife Jan Dance confirmed in a statement to US outlet Variety.
Along with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, Crosby formed the eponymous rock group Crosby, Stills and Nash in 1968 – with Young joining a year later.
“His great songs stood for what we believed in and it was always fun and exciting when we got to play together. Almost Cut My Hair, Dejavu, and so many other great songs he wrote were wonderful to jam on and Stills and I had a blast as he kept us going on and on.
“His singing with Graham was so memorable, their duo spot a highlight of so many of our shows.
He continued: “We had so many great times, especially in the early years. Crosby was a very supportive friend in my early life, as we bit off big pieces of our experience together. David was the catalyst of many things.
“My heart goes out to Jan and Django, his wife and son. Lots of love to you. Thanks David for your spirit and songs, Love you man. I remember the best times! Neil.”
Stills and Nash previously shared tributes to Crosby, who was described as the “glue that held us together as our vocals soared”.
The singer-songwriter rose to fame in LA-based folk-rock group The Byrds, who he joined in 1964 alongside Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke.
He collaborated on chart-topping hits including a cover of Bob Dylan’s Mr Tambourine Man, which leapt to number one in the US singles chart, and Turn! Turn! Turn!.
Shortly after leaving The Byrds in 1967, following a tumultuous tenure, he teamed up with Stills and Nash, to form their eponymous group.
“He was without question a giant of a musician, and his harmonic sensibilities were nothing short of genius. The glue that held us together as our vocals soared, like Icarus, towards the sun,” wrote Stills, in a statement shared with the PA news agency.
Sharing a picture of Crosby’s engraved guitar case on Instagram, Nash, a founding member of The Hollies band, wrote: “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.”
The 80-year-old added that his heart is with Crosby’s wife, son and “all of the people he has touched in this world”.
