David Crosby Cause Of Death Revealed

The music world was in mourning in January with the sad passing of genius singer and songwriter David Crosby. This week bandmate Graham Nash revealed on the Kyle Meredith With.... podcast that complications from COVID-19 were at least partially to blame. 

“He was rehearsing for a show to do in Los Angeles with a full band,” Nash told Meredith. “After three days of rehearsals, he felt a little sick. And he’d already had COVID, and he had COVID again. And so he went home and decided that he would take a nap, and he never woke up. But he died in his bed, and that is fantastic.”

Nash noted in jest that the life he and his friend and bandmate had shared made Crosby's innings a good one, with many in his circle “(expecting) David to pass 20 years ago. I mean, the fact that he made it to 81 was astonishing. But (his death) was a shock. It was kind of like an earthquake, you know? You get the initial shock and then you figure out that you survived. But these aftershocks kept coming up, and they’re diminishing in size as I go along.”

While many older rockers like Van Morrison and Eric Clapton took public anti-vax stances, David Crosby was one of the staunchest supporters of vaccination, taking legal action against Robert F Kennedy's Children's Health Defence Movement's unauthorised use of his music at a rally. His noble fight for public health and science makes his passing even more tragic. 

“I do not support his anti-vaccination position as the history of the efficacy of the Covid19 vaccines is well documented," he said at the time. 

“When I wrote ‘We Can Change the World’ I did not expect that an institution such as this one that claims that it fights for individuals’ freedoms would so readily and recklessly infringe upon and, by its association with its cause, mischaracterise the intellectual property rights of a songwriter for its own purposes. I believe in science and facts, and do not support such blatant disregard for either, nor for my rights as a musician.”

At the time of his passing, his wife issued a statement to Variety, stating, "It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django. Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music. Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly. At this time, we respectfully and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and try to deal with our profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers."

The US music legend joined The Byrds in 1964. Four years later, he formed Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young with Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield), Graham Nash (The Hollies) and Neil Young. Their eponymously-titled debut album won the group the Best New Artist Grammy Award in 1969. David Crosby was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame twice, once with The Byrds and again with Crosby, Stills & Nash.