Graham Nash and Stephen Stills have penned emotional tributes to their former collaborator, David Crosby, who died on Thursday.
The musician died at age 81, following a battle with a “long illness” according to his wife Jan. He passed away "lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate".
Jan took to social media to announce the news, writing: "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 trio were part of the group Crosby, Stills & Nash together, with Nash joining Crosby and Stills in the late 1960s. Neil Young joined the lineup in 1969, with the band going on to play Woodstock.
The group eventually disbanded and Nash and Crosby worked on music as a duo, collaborating on four albums together, however their relationship was notably rocky.
Nash took to social media to upload a black and white photo of Crosby’s guitar case alongside his poignant tribute.
It read: “It is with a deep and profound sadness that I learned that my friend David Crosby has passed.
“I know people tend to focus on how volatile our relationship has been at times, but what has always mattered to David and me more than anything was the pure joy of the music we created together, the sound we discovered with one another, and the deep friendship we shared over all these many long years.
Nash continued: “David was fearless in life and in music. He leaves behind a tremendous void as far as sheer personality and talent in this world.
"He spoke his mind, his heart, and his passion through his beautiful music and leaves an incredible legacy. These are the things that matter most.
“My heart is truly with his wife, Jan, his son, Django, and all of the people he has touched in this world.”
Stills also released a statement on his former bandmate's death to Deadline.
It said: "I read a quote in this morning’s paper attributed to compose Gustav Mahler that stopped me for a moment: Death has, on placid cat’s paws, entered the room. I shoulda known something was up.
"David and I butted heads a lot over time, but they were mostly glancing blows, yet still left us numb skulls.. I was happy to be at peace with him.
"He was without question a giant of a musician, and his harmonic sensibilities were nothing short of genius. The glue that held us together as our vocals soared, like Icarus, towards the sun.
"I am deeply saddened at his passing and shall miss him beyond measure."
Crosby, Stills & Nash were famed for their bright harmonies and folk-round sound, with the group going on to help inspire and develop the “California sound” of music during the mid-Seventies. Before founding the group, Crosby was a member of the Byrds.
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