Jim Seals, Half of 1970's Group Seals and Crofts, dies at the age of 80

Jim Seals of the rock band Seals and Croft died at 80 in Nashville. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Jean Seals, and their children. An ongoing illness was reportedly the cause of death. The nature of the disease, however, remained unspecified.

Jim Seals became famous in the 1970s when he and his band partner, Darrell' Dash' Croft, formed their soft-rock band and delivered hit songs. These songs included 'Summer Breeze', 'Get Closer, and 'Diamond Girl', to name a few.

Jim Seals and Darrell Croft were approached to join The Champs in their teenage years. The Champs was an instrumental group which had the hit 'Tequila' under their belt in 1958. Seals and Croft joined the group but got tired of the loud and angry strains of the rock music of that time. As they believed in the Baha'i faith, they decided to take a calmer and more distinct band of music. They, thus, mixed folk, country, bluegrass and jazz to deliver their hit songs.


With 'Summer Breeze', Seals and Croft got international recognition and fame in 1972. The song ranked six on the Billboard Hot 100. Their second song, 'Hummingbird,' ranked in the Top 20. They then released 'Diamond Girl' in 1973 and 'Get Closer in 1976. Both the songs ranked six on the Billboard Hot 100.

Seals and Croft split in 1980. However, they reunited in 1991 and 2004 and released their last album called 'Traces'.

A Seals' relative, Brady Seals, announced his death on social media. He wrote that his heart breaks for Seals' wife and children asking his followers to remember Seals in their prayers. He also commented that Seals had left behind an incredible legacy.

Coley also paid his tribute to Seals on social media. He wrote that he had spent a significant portion of his musical life with Seals. They have toured together, and Coley has also sung for the band's records. He also stated that he had played with Seals for years. Coley said that Seals was a musical genius who belonged to a one-of-a-kind group. He ended his tribute by saying that he was sad over Seals' demise, but he has some of the best memories of all of them together.