What Was David Crosby's Net Worth?
David Crosby was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and actor with a net worth of $10 million at the time of his passing on January 19, 2023, at the age of 81. Known for his foundational role in the bands The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, Crosby was twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Despite his musical success, he faced various financial issues, including a $3 million settlement from a car accident. In March 2020, he expressed fears that the COVID-19 pandemic might cause him to lose his home after losing all his touring gigs. By March 2021, Crosby sold his music catalog rights for an estimated $20 million, alleviating some financial stress.
Early Life
David Van Cortlandt Crosby was born on August 14, 1941, in Los Angeles, California. His father, Floyd Crosby, was an Academy Award-winning cinematographer, and his lineage included the historically significant Van Rensselaer family, Dutch settlers of New York. His mother, Aliph Van Cortlandt Whitehead, descended from another important Dutch family. Despite attending several schools, Crosby showed little academic interest, though he participated in theater productions. He briefly attended Santa Barbara City College to study drama but dropped out to pursue music, first performing with jazz singer Terry Callier and then with Les Baxter's Balladeers in 1962.
Early Career
In 1963, David Crosby recorded his first solo session with producer Jim Dickson's assistance. In the following year, he co-founded the band Jet Set with Jim McGuinn and Gene Clark. They later evolved into The Byrds, with new members Michael Clarke and Chris Hillman. Their debut single, "The Tambourine Man," topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart within months of its release in 1965. Their album "The Tambourine Man" achieved commercial success and helped popularize folk rock. Their follow-up single "All I Really Want to Do" also enjoyed success, particularly in the UK. By 1966, following Gene Clark's departure, Crosby became the main songwriter of The Byrds. Despite controversies, such as the banning of their single "Eight Miles High," the band continued to release successful albums like "Fifth Dimension." However, rising creative differences led to Crosby's departure in 1967.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
In 1968, David Crosby joined forces with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash to form Crosby, Stills & Nash. Their self-titled debut album in 1969 was a commercial success, followed by the even more successful "Déjà Vu" with Neil Young. Despite internal conflicts and substance abuse issues, the group remained influential. After splitting up post their second album's tour, they reunited in 1974. Although their subsequent tours were successful, persistent conflicts hindered further recording together. Crosby and Nash continued to produce music in the 1970s, with the band occasionally reuniting until their final dissolution, announced by Stephen Stills in 2016.
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Personal Life
David Crosby married Jan Dance in 1987, and they remained married until his death in 2023. Together, they had one son. Crosby had three other children from previous relationships, including two children he fathered for Melissa Etheridge and her partner Julie Cypher. In 2019, Crosby launched the craft cannabis brand Mighty Croz with friend Steven Sponder. Despite his successful career, Crosby faced legal issues related to drugs and weapon offenses, serving a nine-month prison term in Texas for possession of cocaine and heroin in 1985.
Financial Problems
In 2015, Crosby faced a $3 million settlement for striking a jogger with his car, leading to serious injuries. In a 2020 GQ interview, he revealed that losing tour income due to the COVID-19 pandemic could result in losing his home:
"You know they don't pay us for records anymore, right? So touring is all we got. That's really the only thing that we can do to make any money. And to lose it is just awful. I may—honest to God—I may lose my home. I don't know what to do about it, except just try to roll with the punches and keep going. Truthfully, if I lose the tours, I probably will lose my home."
Catalog Sale
In March 2021, David Crosby sold his publishing rights to Irving Azoff's Iconic Artists Group. Although the sale price was undisclosed, it followed Crosby's social media posts indicating significant financial distress, thus providing him with the necessary financial relief.
