David Crosby was one of the most beautiful, brilliant, cantankerous, soulful and bracingly honest characters in American musical history. But more than that, he was a first class songwriter, a powerful cultural voice and, hands down, the greatest harmony singer I've ever heard.
Croz was also fearlessly authentic and wholly unique, in a world that does not always like or reward such brazen sincerity. From The Byrds to CSNY to his incredible solo catalog, we were gifted with 59 years of his music. I can't imagine a world without him. He is one of the Fathers of the country I live in. A true North Star. The void he leaves is tremendous.
How lucky do I feel, how blessed am I, that I incarnated in a world where David Crosby played and sang? I'm beyond grateful.
One of the things I truly admired about Croz was the way he rose from the ashes; like a portly, mustachioed phoenix (or songbird). He lost so many years to illness and self-destruction, only to spend the last decade of his life on a creative hot streak, making as much music as he could, releasing five beautiful records as the clock was running out. And when I say beautiful, you can rest assured that this is a colossal understatement.
He will remain a fixture on my record shelf and an inspiration for the rest of my life.
"Don't waste the time. Time is the final currency, man. Not money, not power—it's time." - David Crosby
Thank you, Mr. Crosby. Rest Easy. Well Done, Sir. You leave with a standing ovation.
