Legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash recently spoke to Variety about his last communications with the late David Crosby, whose passing took everyone by surprise. Crosby, a founding member of the iconic band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, had a storied career with numerous ups and downs. He passed away on January 18, 2023, at the age of 81.
Crosby’s health had been a topic of concern throughout his life, as he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, hepatitis C, and type 2 diabetes. However, friends and colleagues were shocked by the sudden nature of his passing, which was later revealed to be due to complications of COVID-19.
In the interview, Nash shared that he and Crosby had been in touch frequently through emails and voicemails and had even planned a FaceTime call on the day of Crosby’s passing. However, Crosby never made the call, and Nash soon found out about his friend’s untimely death.
As for commemorating Crosby, Nash mentioned that David’s wife, Jan D, is currently organizing a memorial service. She is aware of Nash’s touring schedule and will hopefully choose a date that he can attend. The decision ultimately rests with Jan D, who is handling the arrangements.
When asked about his communication with Crosby, Nash replied:
“We were in touch via email and voicemail and communicated often. We had set up times to be able to FaceTime each other so that we could see each other when we spoke. I set my FaceTime that day for 2 p.m. my time in Manhattan, which would have been 11 a.m. Crosby’s time. I waited, and I waited for his call, and then I found out that he passed away.”
Nash said the following about whether they had any plans to commemorate Crosby:
“Right now, Jan D, David’s wife of many many years, is on the program of figuring out a date for a memorial for David. She knows that I am on the road right now, and she knows when this tour will finish, so hopefully, she’ll choose a date that I’ll be able to attend. It’s all in Jan D’s hands.”
Crosby had reportedly planned his funeral years prior, hoping that his former Byrds and CSN bandmates would attend the event at his horse ranch in Santa Ynez, California. While it’s unclear if this plan will come to fruition, Nash’s willingness to participate in the memorial service indicates a desire to honor his late friend.
The music world was shocked by the sudden loss of David Crosby, a true legend whose impact will continue to be felt for generations to come. Graham Nash’s heartfelt recollections of their final interactions serve as a poignant reminder of the deep bond shared between the members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, as well as the plans that sadly never came to be.
