David Crosby was an American singer, songwriter, and actor who had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death.
David Crosby Profile Summary
| Name | David Crosby |
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Date of Birth | August 14, 1941 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 5ft 10in/1.79m |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, Musician, Actor |
| Nationality | United States of America |
Who is David Crosby?
David Crosby is an American singer-songwriter and musician who gained fame as a founding member of the influential folk rock band, The Byrds. He was born on August 14, 1941, in Los Angeles, California.
Crosby is known for his distinctive voice, harmonies, and songwriting contributions to the band’s early hits, including “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Eight Miles High.”
After leaving The Byrds in 1967, Crosby formed the supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash (later Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) with Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of The Hollies.
The group became known for their intricate vocal harmonies and politically charged songs.
They released several successful albums, including “Crosby, Stills & Nash” (1969) and “Déjà Vu” (1970).
David Crosby continued to pursue a solo career alongside his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash.
He released several solo albums, including “If I Could Only Remember My Name” (1971) and “Croz” (2014).
His music combines elements of folk, rock, and jazz.
Throughout his career, David Crosby has been recognized for his songwriting and vocal abilities.
He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, first with The Byrds in 1991 and then with Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997.
Crosby remains an influential figure in the folk rock genre and continues to perform and record music.
David Crosby Early Life
Crosby was born to an upper-middle-class family.
His father, Floyd Crosby, was an Academy Award-winning cinematographer, and his mother, Aliph Van Cortlandt Whitehead, was a descendant of the prominent Van Cortlandt family of New York.
Despite his family’s affluence, Crosby had a turbulent childhood.
At the age of 11, Crosby’s parents divorced, and he moved with his mother and younger brother to Santa Barbara.
He attended several schools during his early years, including Crane Country Day School and Cate School.
It was during this time that Crosby developed an interest in music and started playing guitar.
In 1956, tragedy struck when Crosby’s mother died in a car accident.
Following this devastating event, he went to live with his father, who was working in Haiti as part of his cinematography career.
Crosby spent some time there, absorbing the local music and culture, which further fueled his passion for music.
After returning to California, Crosby attended the Santa Barbara City College.
It was during his time there that he formed his first band, called Les Jaguars.
They primarily played instrumentals and had some local success.
Crosby’s interest in folk music began to grow, influenced by artists like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.
In 1963, Crosby joined a folk group called the “The Limeliters” as a rhythm guitarist.
However, his time with the band was short-lived, and he left after a few months due to creative differences.
Shortly after leaving “The Limeliters,” Crosby formed The Byrds in 1964 along with Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke.
The Byrds achieved significant commercial success and became one of the pioneers of the folk-rock genre.
Crosby’s distinct vocal harmonies and songwriting contributions played a crucial role in the band’s success.
David Crosby’s early life was marked by personal challenges, but it was also a time of musical exploration and development that laid the foundation for his influential career as a singer-songwriter and musician.
David Crosby Music Career
Crosby initially gained recognition as a founding member of the iconic folk rock band The Byrds in the mid-1960s.
He played rhythm guitar and contributed vocals to the group, which became known for their harmonies and blending of folk and rock elements.
The Byrds achieved commercial success with hits like “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!,” and “Eight Miles High,” establishing themselves as pioneers of the folk rock genre.
In 1967, Crosby was dismissed from The Byrds due to creative differences and embarked on a solo career. He released his debut solo album, “If I Could Only Remember My Name,” in 1971.
The album showcased his songwriting skills and experimental sound, featuring collaborations with notable musicians like Neil Young, Graham Nash, and Jerry Garcia.
Shortly after his solo debut, Crosby formed a highly successful folk rock supergroup called Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN), which later became Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) with the addition of Neil Young.
The group’s intricate harmonies and politically charged songwriting struck a chord with audiences, and they produced timeless classics such as “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” “Teach Your Children,” and “Ohio.” CSN and CSNY released several critically acclaimed albums throughout the 1970s, including “Déjà Vu” and “CSN.”
Despite their collective success, the group experienced internal conflicts, and Crosby battled personal struggles with substance abuse.
These factors led to intermittent periods of hiatus and reunion throughout the years. Nonetheless, David Crosby continued to release solo albums, showcasing his introspective songwriting and distinct vocal style.
Crosby’s musical career extends beyond his work with The Byrds and CSN/CSNY. He has collaborated with numerous artists and bands, including Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and Phil Collins.
He has also released several solo albums, such as “If I Could Only Remember My Name,” “Wind on the Water,” and “Sky Trails,” showcasing his evolution as an artist and his ability to experiment with different musical styles.
David Crosby’s contributions to the world of music have been widely recognized, earning him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Byrds and CSN/CSNY.
His distinct vocal harmonies, socially conscious lyrics, and adventurous spirit have left an indelible mark on the music industry, making him one of the most revered and influential musicians of his generation.
What was David Crosby’s Net Worth?
David Crosby had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death.
Personal Life
Crosby married Jan Dance in 1985, and they had one son together. He had three children from other relationships.
In 2000, Melissa Etheridge revealed that he was the sperm donor for her and her partner’s two children.
Crosby partnered with friend Steven Sponder in 2019 to create a craft cannabis brand called Mighty Croz. He has credited cannabis for his songwriting ability and creative talents.
He has also been arrested on a number of drug and weapon-related offenses, and he served nine months in a Texas prison for possession of cocaine and heroin in 1985.
