Many people have faced various hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic, but David Crosby has been hit particularly hard during the crisis. Crosby’s biological son, Beckett Cypher, died at age 21 last month of drug addiction.  Crosby’s also developed a health issue he says may rob him of his ability to play guitar, and his main source of income, touring, has been put on hold.

The 79-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer discusses these topics and more in a new, wide-ranging Rolling Stone interview.

Regarding the death of Cypher, whom he fathered by donating sperm to singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge and her then-partner, Julie Cypher, Crosby notes, “I didn’t get to raise that kid…but he was here many times. I loved him and he loved me and he was family to me.”

He adds, “It’s hard. You’re not supposed to have your kids die before you die…It’s like a train hits you and then you have to get back up.”

As for his health problem, David tells the magazine, “I get trigger-finger tendonitis in my hands. I went in to get it fixed and it didn’t work. Now I’m in a tremendous amount of pain in my right hand. It’s entirely possible that I may never play guitar again.”

Crosby says that even if he can’t play his instrument, he will still perform, but will just sing. Of course, all concerts have been postponed due to COVID-19, and David admits that without that income stream he might lose his house.

Crosby also shares some details about his upcoming solo album, which he says will be titled Lifting Force or Lift. The record will include a duet with Michael McDonald called “River Rise,” and song to which Steely Dan‘s Donald Fagen contributed lyrics.

By Matt Friedlander
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