David Crosby from the Sony Footage Classics documentary ‘David Crosby: Bear in mind My Identify.’
Singer/songwriter and famed guitarist David Crosby, who additionally made his mark on the world of films, has died. He was 81.
And his ties to Hollywood started from the beginning of his life, even when he largely selected music over movie. Crosby was born in Los Angeles on August 14, 1941, the son of Academy Award-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby. He dropped out of drama faculty to pursue a profession in music, touring the folks membership circuit and recording as a member of the Les Baxter Balladeers. Crosby lower his first solo session in late 1963; early the next 12 months he fashioned the Jet Set with Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark, and with the additions of bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke, the group was rechristened The Byrds.
Though McGuinn mainly pioneered the Byrds’ trademark 12-string guitar sound, Crosby’s curiosity in jazz and Indian music additionally influenced their subsequent excursions into psychedelia. However he left the group after artistic variations.
After a stint as a solo artists, Crosby began jamming with ex-Buffalo Springfield singer/guitarist Stephen Stills. They have been joined by ex-Hollies member Graham Nash; and Crosby, Stills & Nash’s 1969 debut LP pushed all three to larger fame. The addition of Stills’ former Buffalo Springfield bandmate Neil Young expanded the group to a four-piece, and in August of 1969 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Younger (CSNY) made simply their second stay look to this point on the Woodstock Festival.
They loved enormous success with their numerous albums, however Crosby additionally struggled with drug dependancy (and was unfairly tagged as one of many poster youngsters for extra and narcotics). He ended up in jail after fleeing rehab however ultimately beat his demons and reconnected together with his bandmates for normal excursions whereas working with different musicians and dealing on solo tasks. He additionally famously fathered a baby for fellow musician Melissa Etheridge and her accomplice Julie Cypher and penned two memoirs.
David Crosby from the Sony Footage Classics documentary ‘David Crosby: Bear in mind My Identify.’
On the film entrance, he was the topic of a documentary, ‘David Crosby: Remember My Name’, produced by Cameron Crowe and directed by AJ Eaton.
Crosby’s music has graced many a film soundtrack, however he additionally appeared in entrance of the digicam a number of instances, together with as a ‘70s hippie in ‘Backdraft’ and as Tickles in ‘Hook’.
“It’s with a deep and profound unhappiness that I discovered that my good friend David Crosby has handed,” Graham Nash wrote. “I do know folks are likely to give attention to how unstable our relationship has been at instances, however what has all the time mattered to David and me greater than something was the pure pleasure of the music we created collectively, the sound we found with each other, and the deep friendship we shared over all these many lengthy years. David was fearless in life and in music. He leaves behind an amazing void so far as sheer persona and expertise on this world. He spoke his thoughts, his coronary heart, and his ardour by means of his lovely music and leaves an unimaginable legacy. These are the issues that matter most. My coronary heart is really together with his spouse, Jan, his son, Django, and the entire folks he has touched on this world.”
Crosby is survived by his spouse Jan Dance, their son Django, son James Raymond, and two daughters, Erika and Donovan, from earlier relationships.
David Crosby with The Byrds from the Sony Footage Classics documentary ‘David Crosby: Bear in mind My Identify.’
