Dash Crofts, one half of the soft rock duo Seals and Crofts, has died. He was 85 years old.
The news was announced by producer Louie Shelton early Thursday morning (March 26), shortly after which a member of Crofts’ family confirmed it to TMZ. “Sad to hear our dear brother and partner in music has passed away today,” Shelton wrote on Facebook. “Sending love and prayers to all his family and many fans. R.I.P. my brother…..Dash Crofts.”
The “Summer Breeze” hitmaker — whose was born Darrell George Crofts on Aug. 14, 1940 — died Wednesday (March 25) from heart failure, as shared by his daughter Lua, according to The New York Times.
His passing comes about four years after former bandmate Jim Seals died in 2020 at the age of 80. Together, Seals and Crofts scored a number of Billboard Hot 100 hits, including top 10 singles “Summer Breeze” (No. 6, 1972), “Diamond Girl” (No. 6, 1973) and “Get Closer” featuring Carolyn Willis (No. 6, 1976). One of their most controversial tracks, “Unborn Child” — an anti-abortion song released the year after the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court verdict in 1973 — reached No. 66.
Both Texas natives, the two men had known each other since they were teenagers. Before their success as a duo, Seals and Crofts were members of the rock band The Champs.
The pair also had success on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In 1972, Summer Breeze reached No. 7, after which Diamond Girl peaked at No. 4 in 1973. Seals and Crofts parted ways in 1980, but they would briefly reunite in the late ’80s/early ’90s, and again in 2004.
Crofts is survived by his wife, Louise Crofts, three children and eight grandchildren.
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