For decades Crosby struggled with drug addiction and myriad health problems, but eventually got clean and received a liver transplant—only for his penchant for weed.
He found a creative renaissance working with young artists, including his son James.
During an interview in 2021 he told AFP, “Generally, as you get older, you write less. You write less.”
But writing with peers “expanded my life as a writer tremendously,” he said. “I just love making music.”
Jason Isbell, who collaborated with the artist in his last decade, also expressed his sadness: “Grateful for the time we had with David Crosby. We will miss him dearly.”
Crosby also helped rocker Melissa Etheridge, who rose to fame in the 1990s, and her partner conceive their children through sperm donation.
“He gave me the gift of family,” Etheridge tweeted upon news of Crosby’s death. “His music and legacy will inspire many generations to come. A true treasure.”
In his twilight years Crosby became an avid tweeter, delighting fans with frenetic, often humorous missives including reviews of his couples.
He liked to answer questions from fans, announce his political views, and skewer what he considered particularly dumb posts.
On his last day active on the platform, January 18, Crosby responded to a user’s tweet asking permission to go to heaven.
“I hear the place is very…. cloudy,” Crosby quipped.