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- ‘Summer Breeze’ singer Dash Crofts dead at 87 (foxnews.com)
Darrell “Dash” Crofts, the soft-rock musician whose smooth harmonies helped shape the sound of 1970s radio, has passed away at the age of 87.
Crofts died on Wednesday from heart failure in an Austin hospital, according to his daughter, Lua Crofts Faragher. He had long struggled with heart problems and had been hospitalized for nearly a month before his passing.
Best known as one half of the iconic duo Seals & Crofts, Crofts rose to fame alongside childhood friend Jim Seals. Together, the Texans crafted a unique blend of folk, pop, country, and jazz that resonated with audiences and placed them among the defining acts of their era, alongside groups like America, Bread, and the Carpenters.
Seals & Crofts left behind a legacy of hits that became staples of soft rock. Their catalog includes Top 10 favorites such as “Summer Breeze,” “Diamond Girl,” and “Get Closer,” as well as cherished tracks like “Hummingbird” and “We May Never Pass This Way (Again).”
More than just easy listening, their music was deeply influenced by their devotion to the Baháʼí Faith, which promotes unity and spiritual awareness. This philosophy permeated their lyrics and live performances, shaping both their art and their lives.
Crofts once reflected on the evolution of their songwriting: “You start out writing songs like ‘the leaves are green and the sky is blue and I love you and you love me’ – very simple lyrics – but you grow into a much, much broader awareness of life, of love, and of unity. It’s really great to be able to say something real in your music.”
In 1974, the duo released the controversial song “Unborn Child,” which sparked protests and radio bans due to its anti-abortion message. Crofts later said the response was mixed but personally fulfilling, as many listeners credited the song with inspiring them to choose life.
Born in Cisco, Texas, in 1938, Crofts was a multi-instrumentalist from a young age. His partnership with Seals began in their teenage years, leading to early performances, a stint with The Champs, and eventually the development of their signature mellow sound in Los Angeles.
Their breakthrough came in 1972 with “Summer Breeze,” a track whose warm, inviting chorus became emblematic of a more relaxed post-’60s vibe. “That was the beginning of bigger concerts, bigger crowds, and we kept getting hits in the Top 40,” Crofts recalled in 2021. “That cemented us in the music business.”
Though the duo parted ways in the early 1980s, they reunited occasionally over the years. Crofts also pursued solo projects, and the music of Seals & Crofts has been kept alive by family members performing under a new incarnation of the group. Jim Seals passed away in 2022.
For those close to him, Crofts’ impact extends beyond his chart success. “There’s not a time that we performed that we didn’t have hundreds of people coming up and expressing their love and often saying the music changed their life,” Faragher said. “They were a constant service to mankind.”
She described his passing, following that of Seals, as marking the close of a significant chapter. “That’s what makes it so painful – that it’s the end. But the music will always, always live on.”
Darrell “Dash” Crofts is survived by his second wife, Louise Crofts; his children Lua, Faizi, and Amelia; and eight grandchildren. His contributions to the soundtrack of a generation will be remembered fondly by fans and fellow musicians alike.
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- ‘Summer Breeze’ singer Dash Crofts dead at 87 (foxnews.com)