One of the best-kept secrets in showbusiness is out - US rock veteran David Crosby is the father of the two children singer Melissa Etheridge shares with her partner Julie Cypher.

Etheridge ended months of speculation when she made the revelation in America's Rolling Stone magazine.

The children, three-year-old daughter Bailey and one-year-old Beckett, were borne by film-maker Cypher, who was fertilised via artificial insemination.

"We just got so tired of this secret," 38-year-old Etheridge said. "It wears you out. And keeping this big secret goes against how we are choosing to live our lives - very openly."

Rumours of the father's identity have been doing the rounds for months, with speculation ranging from Hollywood superstars to Etheridge's idol, Bruce Springsteen.

Biological father

Crosby, 58, who is the father of four other children and has a history of health and drug problems, is not planning to help raise Bailey and Beckett.

"If, you know, in due time, at a distance, they're proud of who their genetic dad is, that's great," said Crosby, of Crosby, Stills and Nash fame.

"Maybe it's a good thing for a lot of straight families to see that this is not something strange," he added.

Grammy-winning Etheridge said Crosby's wife, Jan, first suggested the idea when the two couples chatted during a holiday in Hawaii a few years ago.

"It came from her, which was the best, most perfect way," Etheridge said. "For one, he's musical, which means a lot to me."

Cypher, 35, who was once married to actor Lou Diamond Phillips, added: "No kitchen implements were involved."