This day (January 19, 2023), in Santa Ynez, California, died David Van Cortlandt Crosby simply known as David Crosby American singer-songwriter, guitarist & co-founder of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash
Tracklist :
1 . Mr. Tambourine Man (w/ The Byrds, 1965)
2 . Chimes Of Freedom (w/ The Byrds, 1967)
3 . Down By The River (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, 1970)
4 . Traction In The Rain (w/ Graham Nash, BBC)
5 . Lee Shore (Crosby, Stills & Nash, Winterland, 1973)
6 . Almost cut my hair (Crosby, Stills & Nash, Winterland, 1974)
7 . Wooden Ships (Crosby, Stills & Nash, Houston, Texas, 1977)
8 . Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (Crosby, Stills & Nash, Houston, Texas, 1979)
9 . Delta (Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles, 1982)
10 . Wasted on the Way (Crosby Stills & Nash, 1983)
11 . Southern Cross (Crosby Stills & Nash, The Tonight Show, 1987)
12 . Farm Aid (1988)
13 . Drive My Car
14 . Turn, Turn, Turn (w/ McGuin & Hillman)
15 . 1000 Roads (The Acoustic Concert, San Francisco 1991)
16 . Hero (w/ Phil collins)
17 . Helpless (w/ Neil Young & Crazy Horse)
18 . Dream For Him (1999)
19 . Here Comes the Sun (w/ Paul Simon & Graham Nash, Tribute to George Harrison)
20 . Find The Cost Of Freedom (w/ David Gilmour & Graham Nash)
21 . Carry Me (w/ Neil Young)
22 . Another Day In Paradise (w/ Phil Collins)
23 . For Free (Fretboard Journal photo shoot, 2011)
24 . Long Time Gone (Crosby, Stills & Nash)
25 . Delta (Crosby, Stills & Nash, 2014)
26 . Deja Vu (2015)
27 . Somebody Home (w/ Snarky Puppy)
28 . Turn, Turn, Turn (w/ Chris Hillman, 2018)
29 . Long Time Gone (2019)
30 . Ace Hotel (2019)
Tracklist :
Eight Miles High . Almost Cut My Hair . Deja Vu . Wooden Ships . Shadow Captain . Long Time Gone . In My Dreams . Guinnevere . Renaissance Fair . Music Is Love .
Early Life and Influences
David Crosby is born on August 14, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, into a wealthy Hollywood family.
His father, Floyd Crosby, is a cinematographer, and his mother comes from a prestigious American family.
From a young age, Crosby is drawn to music, nurtured by a household filled with constant melodies.
He begins singing harmonies at around six years old.
Academics, however, are not his strong suit, and he finds school a challenging environment.
As a teenager at the exclusive Kate’s boarding school, Crosby feels like an outsider.
He excels in non-academic activities like the Sailing Club and Glee Club, showcasing his storytelling talents and love for music.
Despite his intelligence and love for reading, he fails to meet academic expectations and is eventually asked to leave school.
Musical Beginnings
Crosby’s older brother introduces him to the guitar, initially as a tool for meeting girls.
He starts performing folk songs in coffee houses and travels with his brother, honing his craft.
He joins Les Baxter and the Balladeers, a commercial folk group, before transitioning to solo performances at Los Angeles’ Troubadour Club during the British Invasion.
In 1964, Crosby meets Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Gene Clark, and Michael Clarke at the Troubadour, forming **The Byrds**.
The Byrds blend folk harmonies with amplified rock, becoming one of the first electric bands.
Their debut single, an electric cover of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man,” becomes a massive success, propelling them to stardom.
Success with The Byrds
The Byrds achieve hits like “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Eight Miles High,” earning the nickname “the counter-culture’s Beatles.”
Crosby’s harmonies and unique voice are central to their sound, but his strong personality and outspoken nature create tensions within the band.
His public endorsements of LSD, marijuana, and his political views further strain relationships with the other members.
In 1967, Crosby is fired from The Byrds.
Formation of Crosby, Stills & Nash
After leaving The Byrds, Crosby buys a 60-foot schooner, the Mayan, which becomes his songwriting sanctuary.
He teams up with **Stephen Stills** and **Graham Nash**, forming **Crosby, Stills & Nash** (CSN) after Cass Elliot introduces him to Nash.
Their harmonies blend seamlessly, and they release their debut album in 1969, followed by a performance at Woodstock.
With the addition of **Neil Young**, the group becomes **Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young**, a supergroup embodying the counterculture’s ethos.
Personal Turmoil
Crosby’s personal life is marked by tragedy and struggle.
In 1969, Christine Hinton, his girlfriend, dies in a car accident, leaving him devastated.
He battles substance abuse, turning to cocaine and heroin, leading to several arrests and health crises.
In the 1980s, Crosby serves nine months in a Texas prison, an experience that prompts him to detox and change his life.
Later Years and Legacy
After prison, Crosby rebuilds his life, marrying Jan Dance in 1986 and welcoming two sons.
He faces health challenges, including hepatitis C and a liver transplant in 1994, and becomes a sperm donor for Melissa Etheridge and Julie Cypher.
Crosby continues touring and recording with CSN and CSNY, despite frequent conflicts with bandmates.
His musical achievements earn him multiple inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In his later years, Crosby reflects on his mistakes, particularly his drug use and its impact, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past and making amends.
Through his music and resilience, Crosby leaves an indelible mark on rock history.
Photo
Frederick Fenyvessy