American rocker David Crosby, co-founder of the Byrds before joining the supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, has died at the age of 81, specialized American media announced on Thursday.
The newspaper variety was the first to give the death of the musician so influential for rock and folk of the 1960s and 1970s, citing a press release from his wife Jan Dance, who spoke of a “long illness”.
The magazine RollingStone confirmed the news on the faith of a source close to the artist.
According to his wife’s press release quoted by varietyCrosby died surrounded by his wife and his son Django, but it is not known precisely on what date.
“Although he is no longer with us, his humanity and good soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music.
As noted varietythe announcement of the death of David Crosby is rather a surprise because his Twitter account was still active on Wednesday.
The musician was born in California on August 14, 1941, to parents descended from large New York families, with a stay-at-home mother and a father in the cinema, crowned with an Oscar for best photography.
Before his 25th birthday, he was one of the founders of The Byrds, a group mixing rock from England with traditional American folk.
“I don’t know what else to say: I’m heartbroken,” wrote Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys on Twitter.