Seals & Crofts Co-Founder Dash Crofts Dead at 87
Singer-songwriter Darrell “Dash” Crofts, who teamed with childhood friend Jim Seals for such 1970s soft-rock hits as “Summer Breeze,” “Diamond Girl” and “Get Closer,” has died at 87. Seals & Crofts were native Texans who had known each other since high school…
Dash Crofts of Seals & Crofts, known for hits 'Summer Breeze' and 'Diamond Girl,' dies at 87
Singer-songwriter Darrell "Dash" Crofts, one half of the beloved 1970s soft-rock duo Seals & Crofts, has died at the age of 87. Crofts, who partnered with childhood friend Jim Seals to create some of the decade's most enduring and melodic hits, including "Summer Breeze," "Diamond Girl" and "Get Closer," passed away, leaving behind a legacy that helped define the smooth, sun-drenched sound of 1970s California pop. The news of his death was met with an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians who remembered the duo's unmistakable harmonies and gentle musical style.
Crofts and Seals were both native Texans who had known each other since their high school days. Their shared passion for music led them through several early collaborations before they officially formed Seals & Crofts and relocated to California, where they became part of the thriving singer-songwriter scene of the early 1970s. The duo's chemistry was evident from the start, blending Crofts' mandolin and fiddle skills with Seals' guitar work and their seamless vocal harmonies to create a sound that stood apart from their contemporaries.
Their breakthrough came with "Summer Breeze" in 1972, a warm and wistful track that became one of the defining songs of the era and has since been covered by numerous artists across multiple genres. The duo followed that success with a string of chart-topping albums and singles, including "Diamond Girl," which reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973, and "Get Closer," which became another top-ten hit. At the height of their popularity, Seals & Crofts were among the best-selling acts in the country, filling arenas and earning multiple gold and platinum albums.
Beyond their commercial success, both Crofts and Seals were devoted members of the Bahá'í Faith, and their spiritual beliefs often informed their music and public lives. The duo eventually stepped away from the spotlight in the early 1980s, though they reunited periodically over the years for performances and recordings. Jim Seals passed away in 2022 at the age of 80, and with Crofts' death, the final chapter of one of soft rock's most cherished partnerships has come to a close. Their music, however, continues to resonate with listeners old and new, a testament to the timeless appeal of their artistry.