It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of David Crosby, an iconic singer-songwriter and a founding member of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. He was 81 years old at the time of his death.

With “great sadness”, Jan Dance announced that her husband had passed away after enduring a long-term illness. Variety reported the news as fans of the acclaimed musician mourned worldwide.

“It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away,” she stated. “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,” she nostalgically pondered her 36-year-long marriage. “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.”

She requested solitude for herself and Crosby’s family as they “grieve” their “profound loss.”

In a 2019 interview with The Post, Crosby referred to the documentary about him, “David Crosby: Remember My Name,” as “brutally honest.” It’s an apt title for this movie that delves deep into his remarkable life story.

“It’s about how I became who I am,” at the time, he stated. “And it isn’t all pretty.”

As Crosby’s rock and roll success rose, so did his dire addiction issues. He fought hard against cocaine and alcohol abuse that eventually necessitated a liver transplant in the 90s. Furthermore, he was arrested for drugs and weapons possession in 1982 Texas which led to time spent behind bars four years later.

“I’m concerned that the time I’ve got here is so short, and I’m pissed at myself, deeply, for the 10 years — at least — of time that I wasted just getting smashed,” Crosby said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2019, adding he was “as low as a human can go … I’m ashamed of that.”

During a 2002 interview with The Post, Crosby disclosed that he was “very healthy,” and even elaborated on the organ donation he received seven years earlier following his battle with hepatitis C.

At the time Bing Crosby was diagnosed with his deadly illness, there was no hope for a cure and even after he underwent a liver transplant, recovery seemed impossible.

“I have seven extra years on my life after I was supposed to be dead,” expressing gratitude, the musician said. “It’s a slow-moving disease, and it’ll take another 20 years for it to kill this liver. I’ll take the 20 years. Hep C is one of the worst problems the world has to face.”

David Crosby’s generous donation of sperm allowed singer Melissa Etheridge and her late partner Julie Cypher to become parents to two children, Bailey and Beckett. Tragically, his son Beckett passed away in 1998 due to a drug overdose at the age of 21.

“Melissa and Julie are good people, nice set of values, they’re funnier than s–t, and they got courage,” he said in a 2002 interview. “All rare stuff.”

On Thursday, Etheridge posted a heartfelt homage in honor of her long-time friend on social media.

“I am grieving the loss of my friend and Bailey’s biological father, David. He gave me the gift of family. I will forever be grateful to him, Django, and Jan,” she said. “His music and legacy will inspire many generations to come. A true treasure.”

Brian Wilson, a renowned Beach Boys legend, expressed his deep sadness on Twitter. He honored the memory of his fellow musician with heartfelt words.

“I don’t know what to say other than I’m heartbroken to hear about David Crosby,” wrote Wilson, 80. “David was an unbelievable talent – such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I just am at a loss for words. Love & Mercy to David’s family and friends. Love, Brian”

The Doors, a renowned rock band, also paid tribute to Crosby in honor of his memory.

“The world has lost yet another ethereal fixture of the ‘60s peace and love movement; a legend within his own right, and every group he was a part of,” the band stated. “Coming up in the same era as The Doors, David Crosby had the voice and song writing abilities that made him completely unique…”

During his brief time with Byrds, he contributed to the band’s success by singing on numerous hits such as “Mr. Tambourine Man” which reached number one on EP charts, and the ever-popular “Turn! Turn! Turn!”.

When they first connected, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash brought together the elements of their music to form the renowned band Crosby, Stills & Nash. With hit singles such as “Just a Song Before I Go”, “Marrakesh Express”, “Wasted On The Way”, and more, it’s no wonder why this trio went multi-platinum with tracks like “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” and “Southern Cross”.

In 1969, the Crosby, Stills & Nash trio earned not only a Grammy Award for Best New Artist but also two exclusive entries into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – in ’91 as part of The Byrds group and again four years later to commemorate their success with Crosby, Stills & Nash.

In a feat unprecedented until that point, the rock and roll luminary was selected as one of only two artists in history to receive nominations for Best New Artist twice–the Byrds had previously been nominated in 1965. Eventually, he emerged victorious among them all.

Subsequently, Neil Young joined the group and their music flourished.

Crosby harbored intense “beef” for his one-time bandmate Young, a state of affairs he believed would remain unchanged in an interview with The Guardian just this year. He admitted the source of their ongoing feud was nothing more than “petty-a–ed bulls–t that goes on between us as people.”

At the time, Crosby noted that their beliefs were in opposition.

“I’m a very liberal guy and a modern thinker in terms of politics. Neil doesn’t really do politics. He does Neil,” Crosby stated, continuing that Young was “probably the most self-centered, self-obsessed, selfish person I know. He only thinks about Neil, period. That’s the only person he’ll consider. Ever!”

Of Nash, Crosby said he also still had issues with that former bandmate.

“Graham just changed from the guy I thought was my best friend to being a guy that is definitely my enemy, so I don’t see any future there at all,” he said.

Nash fondly recalled his dear friend with “deep and profound sadness” on Instagram Thursday, recognizing that he “was fearless in life and in music.”

“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 posted.

“He spoke his mind, his heart, and his passion through his beautiful music and leaves an incredible legacy.”

After becoming widely popular and departing from the band prior to 2000, Crosby moved on to touring and recording songs as a single artist.

His most recent collaborative album, “Live at the Capitol Theatre”, featured a hidden gem. A poignant track entitled “1974” – an unearthed demo that had been lost to time – but has now found its way back into our hearts and minds.

Last summer, Crosby disheartened confessed that he was “too old” to continue performing onstage.

“I think I’m too old to tour anymore….sadly,” the singer tweeted.

After a 3-year absence, he returned to the stage with an unexpected performance in February 2022, taking place in Santa Barbara, California.

“Was soooooooooo goooood to play with people who love it,” Crosby wrote on Twitter.

Last year, Crosby took the drastic step of removing his entire music repertoire from Spotify in a show of dissent towards outspoken podcaster Joe Rogan.

Despite the hardships of touring and aging, Crosby was remarkably conscious that his days were numbered. He conveyed to The Guardian in 2021 that he felt “happy” with life.

“I’m in a peculiar place, man. I’m right at the end of my life. I don’t have a lot of time left. I don’t know if I’ve found my way, but I do know I feel happy,” he said at the time. “I love my family, and the music’s coming to me. So, despite the fact that the world is in a shaky spot, I feel pretty damned good.”