Remembering Dash Crofts: A Tribute to the Life of the Seals & Crofts Star Who Passed Away at 85

Dash Crofts, Soft Rock Icon, Passes Away at 85

Dash Crofts, one half of the legendary soft rock duo Seals and Crofts, has died at the age of 85. The news was confirmed by producer Louie Shelton early Thursday morning, following a family statement.

Shelton shared the news on social media, expressing his sorrow: “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.”

Born Darrell George Crofts on August 14, 1940, Crofts passed away on March 25 from heart failure, as revealed by his daughter Lua, according to The New York Times.

Crofts’ death arrives nearly four years after his bandmate Jim Seals passed in 2020 at 80. Together, Seals and Crofts produced several Billboard Hot 100 hits, including the top-10 songs “Summer Breeze” (No. 6, 1972), “Diamond Girl” (No. 6, 1973), and “Get Closer” featuring Carolyn Willis (No. 6, 1976). Their controversial track “Unborn Child,” released in 1974 after the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, reached No. 66.

Both hailing from Texas, Crofts and Seals were friends since their teenage years, initially performing together in the rock band The Champs before rising to fame as a duo.

In addition to their Hot 100 successes, Seals and Crofts made notable strides on the Billboard 200 albums chart, with their 1972 album Summer Breeze peaking at No. 7, followed by Diamond Girl at No. 4 in 1973. Although they disbanded in 1980, the duo reunited briefly in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as well as in 2004.

Crofts is survived by his wife, Louise Crofts, as well as three children and eight grandchildren.