Melissa Etheridge Speaks Out on David Crosby’s Death: ‘He Gave Me the Reward of Family’

Melissa Etheridge mourned the dying of the late David Crosby on Thursday.

The 81-year-old became the sperm donor who helped Etheridge conceive.

“I’m grieving the inability of my buddy, and Bailey’s and Beckett’s natural father, David,” Etheridge wrote.

“He gave me the gift of family. I will without conclude be grateful to him, [son] Django, and [wife] Jan. His music and legacy will inspire many generations to come. A honest like.”

The Crosby, Stills & Nash singer supplied sperm for Etheridge and her then-partner Julie Cypher’s early life — Bailey, 25, and Beckett, who died from opioid addiction in 2020.

Etheridge published in early 2000 that Crosby became, indeed the donor for her and Cypher’s children in an interview with CNN’s Larry King Are living.

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Followers flocked to her social media pages to pay condolences. “You’re the first particular person I idea to be when I heard of his passing in consequence of the extensive conscious chance made personal him father your son,” wrote one. “It’s heartbreaking.”

Etheridge additionally has a daughter and son with outmoded partner Tammy Lynn Michaels. The early life, fraternal twins, had been conceived by an anonymous donor.

In 2020, upon Beckett’s dying, Crosby made a temporary assertion in regard to a tweet that instructed he had no contact with Beckett.

“Now not honest,” he spoke back, merely.

RELATED VIDEO: Remembering David Crosby

Crosby’s dying became launched by his wife through a assertion to Form. “It’s a ways with mammoth sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away,” she stated.

“He became lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django. Although he is now not here with us, his humanity and charm soul will continue to handbook and assist us. His legacy will continue to reside on through his legendary music.”

She concluded, “Peace, be pleased, and team spirit to all who knew David and other folks he touched. We are able to poke away out him dearly. As we order, we respectfully and kindly demand for privacy as we grieve and strive to take care of our profound loss. Thanks for the be pleased and prayers.”

In 2019, the rocker — who made an indelible tag on ’60s-generation music and past — spoke to PEOPLE about his americaand downs, sharing that through the entirety, it became music that saved him going.

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“It’s a ways the one contribution I will produce,” he stated on the time. “Explore, it’s darkish out here now. The area will not be a chuffed space. Song’s a lifting power. Song makes issues better.”