They had that unmistakable ’70s sound — natural, beautiful, and uplifting.
But now, the surviving half of the iconic soft‑rock duo Seals & Crofts is gone.
Darrell “Dash” Crofts passed away on Wednesday, March 25, at the age of 85.
Hits like “Summer Breeze,” “Diamond Girl,” and “Get Closer” remain timeless favorites for fans of Seals & Crofts — and for anyone who cherishes the music of that era.
Sadly, Dash Crofts, the last living member of the duo, has now passed away.
He died from complications following heart surgery, according to TMZ. “With sorrow and gratitude, we mourn a man whose loving‑kindness, remarkable compassion, beautiful and tender voice has uplifted so many hearts across the globe,” his family said in a heartfelt statement. “We extend our gratitude and appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from around the world, and we celebrate and honor his legacy of service to mankind.”
Louie Shelton, longtime producer for Seals & Crofts, was among the first to share the news publicly. “Sad to hear our dear brother and partner in music has passed away today,” he wrote on Facebook. “Sending love and prayers to all his family and many fans. R.I.P. my brother… Dash Crofts.”
The story behind “Dash”
Darrell George Crofts was born on August 14, 1940, in Cisco, Texas. He had a twin sister named Dorothy and earned the nickname “Dash” as a baby when his mother entered them in a “beautiful baby” contest, joking that they’d be even cuter as “Dot” and “Dash.”
Crofts began his musical journey as a drummer before meeting saxophonist Jim Seals. The two first played together in The Champs, then in Glen Campbell and the GCs and the Dawnbreakers, before forming Seals & Crofts.
Their debut album arrived in 1969, but it was 1972’s Summer Breeze that launched them into superstardom. The album went gold and eventually sold two million copies, with the title track reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Their music became a defining soundtrack of the ’70s, with hits like “Diamond Girl” and “Get Closer.” While their sound was soft and melodic, Crofts and Seals infused their songs with the spiritual teachings of the Baháʼí Faith, which they embraced during their time with the Dawnbreakers.
Their career wasn’t without controversy. After the Roe v. Wade ruling, they released Unborn Child in 1974, expressing an anti‑abortion stance that sparked intense debate.
Even as trends shifted and the duo eventually disbanded in the early ’80s, their music endured. They reunited briefly in the late ’80s, early ’90s, and again in 2004 for their final album, Traces.
Crofts’ contributions to music were immeasurable. “About the same time as people like Crosby, Stills and Nash, we realized that we had to get out of the money‑making aspect of loud rock ’n’ roll into some music which we really believed in,” he once told Record Mirror.
Critic Robert Christgau called their work “classic folk‑schlock,” but for millions of fans, their gentle melodies and spiritual themes were timeless.
Later in life, Crofts returned to Texas, where he raised horses and reflected on a career that touched countless hearts.
Jim Seals, who passed away in 2022, once said the duo’s magic came from friendship, shared vision, and unshakeable harmony — qualities that defined Crofts both on and off the stage.
“The Baháʼí Faith teaches the unity of people of all races, creeds, religions, politics and truths… the concept of the oneness of mankind,” Crofts once said — a fitting reflection of the gentle, uplifting spirit he carried throughout his life.
Dash Crofts may have left this world, but his voice, his heart, and the music he created will continue to resonate for generations.
