Jim Seals of Seals and Crofts Dies at 79

Jim Seals and Dash Crofts — Seals and Crofts in 1975

Jim Seals, half of the 1970s soft rock duo Seals and Crofts known for hits such as “Summer Breeze” and “Diamond Girl”, has died at the age of 79.

News of Seals’ death was announced on social media by Seals’ cousin, Brady.

“I just learned that James ‘Jimmy’ Seals has passed,” Brady Seals posted on Facebook. “My heart just breaks for his wife Ruby and their children. Please keep them in your prayers. What an incredible legacy he leaves behind.”

Jim Seals was born in Sidney, Texas in 1942. He met Darrell “Dash” Crofts on the local music scene and they first performed together as members of Dean Beard and the Crew Cats. Later they played together as members of The Champs, Glen Campbell and the GCs and the Dawnbreakers. When the Dawnbreakers disbanded, Seals and Crofts, who had bonded over their shared belief in the Baha’i Faith, decided to become a duo. Seals and Crofts signed with Warner Bros. Records in August of 1971.

Seals and Crofts’ second album was 1972’s Summer Breeze, which charted at #7 and went on to be certified 2x platinum in the U.S. Subsequent releases Diamond Girl, the controversial Unborn Child, I’ll Play for You and Get Closer reached Gold status.

Seals and Crofts took a hiatus in the 1980s after being dropped by Warner Brothers but continued to play together unofficially in support of various Baha’i gatherings and concerts. In 1991 the duo briefly reunited for several live performances and later reunited again for their 2004 album, Traces.

After hearing the news of Seals’ death, Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band shared on Twitter, “RIP Jim Seals So long pal, thanks for all the beautiful music. – Steve.”

John Ford Coley of England Dan & John Ford Coley shared on Facebook , “He belonged to a group that was one of a kind. I am very sad over this but I have some of the best memories of all of us together.”