Legendary US rocker David Crosby joked about heaven being “overrated” - before dying a day later.
The singer-songwriter, a founding member of two of the biggest bands of the 1960s, was responding to an online question when he tweeted his thoughts.
On Google, someone had asked the search engine, “can we go to heaven with tattoos?” to which Crosby responded, “I heard the place is overrated….cloudy.”
Just 24 hours after posting his thoughts, he died.
The 81-year-old passed away on Thursday after battling a long, unspecified illness.
His wife, Jan Dance, said he died surrounded by family.
“It is with great sadness, after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away,” she said.
“He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django.
"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. Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly.”
Born in Los Angeles, Crosby founded the band The Byrds in 1964, finding their first number-one hit a year with a cover of Bob Dylan's "Mr Tambourine Man."
It was in 1968 when he formed Crosby, Stills & Nash with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. The group won a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1969.
Often cantankerous Crosby, who famously fell out with several bandmates, was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as both a member of The Byrds and for his efforts with Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Immediately following the news of his death, tributes began pouring in.
Crosby’s former bandmate, Graham Nash, shared a tribute on social media.
“It is with a deep and profound sadness that I learned that my friend David Crosby has passed,” he wrote.
“I know people tend to focus on how volatile our relationship has been at times, but what has always mattered to David and me more than anything was the pure joy of the music we created together, the sound we discovered with one another, and the deep friendship we shared over all these many long years.”
In recent years, Nash and Crosby had been estranged after their groups focused on their solo careers.
He described his old bandmate as fearless in life and in music.
Nash added: “He leaves behind a tremendous void as far as sheer personality and talent in this world. He spoke his mind, his heart, and his passion through his beautiful music and leaves an incredible legacy.
“These are the things that matter most. My heart is truly with his wife, Jan, his son, Django, and all of the people he has touched in this world.”
Paying his tribute, Stephen Stills said: "I read a quote in this morning’s paper attributed to compose Gustav Mahler that stopped me for a moment: ‘Death has, on placid cat’s paws, entered the room.’ I shoulda known something was up. David and I butted heads a lot over time, but they were mostly glancing blows, yet still left us numb skulls.
“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. 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.”
Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson said: “I don’t know what to say other than I’m heartbroken to hear about David Crosby. David was an unbelievable talent - such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I just am at a loss for words.”
Away from music, Crosby was known for his political beliefs, opposing the US involvement in the Vietnam War and, more recently, speaking out against Donald Trump.
"He feels to me like an eight-year-old kid that has never been allowed in his dad’s office, and he’s broken, and he’s peeing on the papers, running around madly with his d*** flopping out, peeing on the papers saying, ‘I’ll show you!’” he said to Trim while he was in the White House
