RIP Jim Seals of Seals & Crofts, Dead at 80
Jim Seals, one half of legendary soft-rock duo Seals and Crofts with musical partner Darrell “Dash” Crofts and responsible for such top 10 hits as "Summer Breeze" and "Diamond Girl," has died at the age of 80. No cause of death has yet to be revealed.
"Wow. Don’t even know where to begin. Jimmy Seals passed away today," shared fellow '70s soft-rocker John Ford Coley of the duo England Dan and John Ford Coley on Facebook. "I spent a large portion of my musical life with this man. We toured together, he and Dash invited us to sing on Seals and Crofts records, and we played with him for years.
"This is a hard one on so many levels as this is a musical era passing for me. And it will never pass this way again, as his song said. You and Dan finally get reunited again,” Coley added in reference to the late Danny Seals, better known as “England Dan,” the younger brother of Jim Seals. “Tell him and your sweet momma hi for me.”
“RIP Jim Seals," shared guitarist Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band on Twitter. "So long pal, thanks for all the beautiful music.”
"Jim Seals was a gifted songwriter and musician whose songs are a cornerstone of the soundtrack to the 1970s," said Kevin Gore, President of Global Catalog, Recorded Music for Warner Music Group, in a statement. "Jim and Dash Crofts were the powerhouse duo Seals & Crofts, intertwining impeccable harmonies with a unique blend of folk, jazz, and country, creating a sound all their own. For over a decade with then Warner Bros. Records, Seals & Crofts delivered a string of Top 10 hit singles, none bigger or more enduring than “Summer Breeze,” a song that remains ubiquitous in music and pop culture to this day. The Warner Family is mourning Jim’s passing and send our condolences to his family, friends, and fans. Rest in Peace, Jim."
