The singer's wife, Jan Dance, had earlier told entertainment outlet Variety that Crosby had passed following a long illness.

"Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music," read his wife's statement.

"Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly."

The two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer - known as much for his alternative guitar tunings, lush harmonies and abstract lyrics as for his pacifist activism, brutal honesty and living dangerously - remained a prolific artist throughout his life.

Over the course of six decades in the music industry, he penned a rich array of heartfelt ballads and knife-edged bangers.

Tributes quickly poured in honouring the beloved musician with a signature walrus mustache.

"I don't know what to say other than I'm heartbroken to hear about David Crosby," tweeted Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys.

"David was an unbelievable talent - such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person."

In a statement provided to AFP via a publicist, Stephen Stills said that while he and his former bandmate had their differences over the years - Crosby was notoriously headstrong - "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," Stills said of Crosby. "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."

'A true treasure'

For decades Crosby struggled with drug addiction and myriad health problems, but eventually got clean and got a liver transplant - keeping only his penchant for weed.

He found a creative renaissance working with younger artists, including his son James.

"Normally, as you get older, you sort of peter out. You write less," he told AFP during an interview in 2021.

But writing with peers "extended my life as a writer tremendously," he said. "I just love making music."

In his twilight years Crosby became an avid tweeter, delighting fans with frenetic, often humorous missives, including reviews of their joints.

He loved answering fan questions, proclaiming his political opinions and skewering posts he thought were particularly dumb.

On his last day active on the platform, January 18, Crosby responded to one user's tweet sorting out who's allowed into heaven.

"I heard the place is overrated....cloudy," Crosby quipped.

© Agence France-Presse (2023)