The 81-year-old was the sperm donor who helped Etheridge conceive.
“I am grieving the loss of my friend, and Bailey’s and Beckett’s biological father, David,” Etheridge wrote.
“He gave me the gift of family. I will forever be grateful to him, [son] Django, and [wife] Jan. His music and legacy will inspire many generations to come. A true treasure.”
Fans flocked to her social media pages to pay condolences. “You’re the first person I thought of when I heard of his passing because of the enormous conscious decision made have him father your son,” wrote one. “It’s heartbreaking.”
CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty
“Not true,“he responded, simply.
She concluded, “Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly. At this time, we respectfully and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and try to deal with our profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers.”
In 2019, the rocker — who made an indelible mark on ’60s-era music and beyond — spoke to PEOPLE about his ups and downs, sharing that through everything, it was music that kept him going.
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“It’s the one contribution I can make,“he said at the time. “See, it’s dark out here now. The world is not a happy place. Music’s a lifting force. Music makes things better.”
source: people.com
