Melissa Etheridge reveals David Crosby's role as a sperm donor

Melissa Etheridge recently opened up about her decision to use her late friend David Crosby as a sperm donor. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Etheridge discussed the profound impact Crosby had on her family. Crosby, who passed away in January 2023, was the legal sperm donor for two of Etheridge's children, Bailey and the late Beckett.

Etheridge, 63, spoke about her experience with Crosby, who is the biological father of her daughter Bailey and her son Beckett, who tragically died of an opioid overdose in 2020. She highlighted Crosby's generosity, stating, "The situation was special with my partner at the time because she had been adopted and she wanted her children to know who their biological father was. So we weren't going to go to a sperm bank because she wanted them to know."

Etheridge emphasized that she did not want a traditional paternal figure for her children. "To me, I didn't want someone who wanted to be a father... I didn't want all of a sudden my children to have... 'Oh, there's dad.' And who am I? That sort of thing," she explained.

Crosby was suggested as a donor by his wife, Jan Dance, after they had received help in having their son. Etheridge noted, "They had just had help having their son and they appreciated that. They wanted to pay it forward. We're still finding kids from David Crosby out in the world. My daughter's like, 'I have another half-sister.'"

Despite being the biological father, Crosby did not seek a traditional fatherly role. "He did not need to be [a father]. And that's what really made it clear for me, was that he was willing to say, 'Yeah, I was the biological father.' And my kids call him bio dad, so he's the biological father, but they didn't need a relationship with him," Etheridge stated.

In addition to Bailey and Beckett, Crosby fathered sons James and Django, and daughters Erika and Donovan. Etheridge shares Bailey and Beckett with her ex-partner Julie Cypher and is also mother to twins Johnnie Rose and Steven Miller, 17, with ex Tammy Lynn Michaels.

Upon Crosby's death in January 2023, Etheridge expressed her grief and gratitude on Instagram, writing, "I am grieving the loss of my friend, and Bailey's and Beckett's biological father, David. 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."