Byrd vocalist, David Crosby, was a later version of Brian Jones and a contemporary of John Phillips in the heavy drugs department. Drugs almost killed him and, unlike Jones, he needed jail time to completely cure, And unlike jones, he lived.
Crosby, who began his career as a folk singer (like his bandmate McGuinn) was a rock and roll star twice, once with The Byrds and second with supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. By the time he was released from prison, in 1985, he was a father twice over and had kicked 25 years of drug abuse that began with marijuana and ended with heavy heroin use.
As a guitar player with the Byrds he was responsible for the high clear harmonies that later served him well with CSN&Y. His two great friends hung with him through all the lies and deceit that comes with being a user. These were Jackson Browne and Graham Nash. After Crosby’s drug-induced episodes Neil Young refused to tour with the group and Stephen Stills was ready to throw in the towel.
Crosby was the anti-Hippy Hippy who evolved with the ’60’s scene and was in its epicenter along with Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane.
Stumble it!