Arabic version: رحيل الموسيقي داش كروفتس من فرقة سيلز وكروفتس عن عمر يناهز 85 عامًا

Dash Crofts, the yacht rock musician who helped craft 70s hits such as Summer Breeze and Diamond Girl as part of the duo Seals and Crofts, has died aged 85. The news was announced on social media by the duo’s producer, Louie Shelton, who expressed his sorrow and sent condolences to Crofts’ family and fans. A family member confirmed that Crofts died due to complications following heart surgery.

With Jim Seals, who passed away in 2022 at age 80, Crofts helped shape the breezy soft rock sound of the 1970s. Their 1972 album “Summer Breeze” reached the US top 10 and included hits like “Hummingbird” and the title track, which was later covered by various artists, including the Isley Brothers and Type O Negative.

The duo’s follow-up album, “Diamond Girl,” released in 1973, was certified gold and featured the successful single of the same name that reached number six on the US singles charts. However, their 1974 album “Unborn Child” sparked controversy due to its themes reflecting their Bahá’í faith, leading to bans from some radio stations following the Roe v. Wade ruling.

Seals and Crofts disbanded in 1980 as their musical style fell out of favor with the rise of punk and disco. Crofts later moved to Nashville, focusing on country music and occasionally releasing singles. The duo made rare public appearances after their breakup, primarily at Bahá’í gatherings. Crofts released a solo album in 1998 and the final Seals and Crofts album in 2004.

The yacht rock genre has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity, highlighted by the 2024 HBO documentary “Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary.” According to The Guardian, Crofts’ contributions to music will be remembered by fans and the industry alike.