Singer-songwriter-guitarist David Crosby, a founding member of two popular and enormously influential ’60s rock units, the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash (later Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young), has died, his representative says. He was 81 years of age. The cause of his death is unknown.

Many who had been following his Twitter account (thedavidcrosby/status/16156813600080899) were shocked to learn of his death. He’d continued tweeting as recently as Wednesday. Crosby’s last tweet was to make a humorous comment about heaven.

Graham Nash , a former CSNY partner, expressed his gratitude on social media. He had been estranged in recent years from Crosby as their group split up. Nash posted, “It is with deep and profound sorrow that I learn that my friend David Crosby passed.” “I know that people often focus on the volatile nature of our relationship at times.

Crosby’s long and successful solo career aside, Crosby thrived upon collaboration. This trait was something he first discovered when he was a child after being captivated by the performance of the symphony orchestra. In his 1988 autobiography Long time Gone, he stated that the idea of a cooperative effort to achieve something greater than any one person could do was ingrained in him. “That’s why harmony singing is my favorite thing, and why I love being part of a group.

Crosby was a founding member in California’s country-folk group The Byrds, which saw his first major success. Two No. 1 singles were earned by the group during Crosby’s tenure. 1 singles — covers Pete Seeger “Turn!” Turn! Turn!” Bob Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man — and making it to the Top 20 with the rousing classic “Eight Miles High.” Crosby wrote the song and several other memorable Byrds songs including “Lady Friend”, a jangly, lilting tune. Crosby was instrumental in the development of the group’s harmony-rich vocal approach, kaleidoscopic sound and psychedelic rock influences. He also took credit for introducing Roger McGuinn the music of John Coltrane, and Ravi Shankar.

Crosby’s ex bandmate Nash mentioned their “volatile” relationship during a tribute posted on FB. On Thursday, he wrote that “what mattered most to David & I more than any other was the pure joy of creating music together.”

David was considered to be fearless in both music and life. His legacy is one of great talent and charisma. His passion and voice was his beautiful music. His legacy is remarkable. These are the most important.

Crosby, Stills & Nash’s other member, Stills, said in a Facebook statement that it was only the “rememberance of such a rich and unique life so well lived, which must sustain us in this time of deep grief.”

It was stated that David had “lived a life of deep and lasting thanks” and that he was an “extraordinary, richly-senient person”, and that his music will “live on through us all.”

Carole King performed “You’ve got a Friend” with Crosby and Nash on stage in 1994. She wrote the following Facebook response: “My old friend David is gone, but he left us his words and music and his beautiful voice.”

Brian Wilson, Beach Boys leader and founder, expressed his feelings via social networking, saying that he was also “heartbroken”.

David was a remarkable talent and a great singer/songwriter. He was an extraordinary person,” he wrote.

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