Dash Crofts, half of the US soft rock duo Seals and Crofts who were famous for hits including Summer Breeze, has died aged 85.
The Texas-born musician, whose real name was Darrell “Dash” Crofts, was known for soft rock tracks Diamond Girl and Get Closer, alongside Jimmy Seals.
His death was announced by his producer Louie Shelton on Thursday 26 March. In a post on Facebook, Shelton wrote: “Sad to hear our dear brother and partner in music has passed away today. Sending love and prayers to all his family and many fans. R.I.P. my brother… Dash Crofts.”
According to TMZ, the musician’s family confirmed his cause of death as complications from a heart surgery.
Friends have remembered him as a “true music legend” who “helped create some of the most timeless songs ever written”. US country singer Pauline Reese also shared a tribute. She posted series of photos with Crofts on Instagram and wrote: “Yesterday we lost a true music legend, Dash Crofts.
“I had the honour of meeting Dash through one of his closest friends, my keyboard player Mitch Connell. Even more special, he came with his wife Louise to watch me perform. That is something I will never forget. I feel truly blessed to have gotten to know him, even if only a little bit.
“As one half of Seals and Crofts, Dash helped create some of the most timeless songs ever written, including Summer Breeze, Diamond Girl, and Get Closer. His music has a way of bringing a sense of peace. What stood out most to me was not just the music, but who he was.
“He was kind, humble, and full of soul. Rest easy, Dash. Your music will live on forever. My deepest condolences to his family and close friends.”
His musical partner James “Jimmy” Seals died in 2022 aged 80. Seals and Crofts formed in the late 1960s, with the two men having known each other as teenagers. Both members sang in the group, while Dash played guitar and the mandolin, and Jimmy played guitar, mandolin, the fiddle and the saxophone.
They were among a wave of soft rock groups that included Hall and Oates, America and Bread as well as England Dan and John Ford Coley. They disbanded in 1980 but reunited in 1991 and then again in 2004 to release their final album Traces.
While the band was on their break, Dash released a solo album called Today in 1998, and worked on a Texan farm with horses. In 1969, he married his wife Billie Lee Day. The two lived in Mexico, Australia and Nashville along with their daughters Amelia and Lua.
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