Singer-Songwriter Darrell Crofts Dead at 87

NEW YORK (AP) — Singer-songwriter Darrell “Dash” Crofts, who teamed with childhood friend Jim Seals for such 1970s soft-rock hits as “Summer Breeze,” “Diamond Girl” and “Get Closer,” has died at 87. Seals & Crofts were native Texans who had known each other since high school and had played together in various groups before becoming a duo in the late 1960s. They were part of a wave of million-selling soft-rock bands that included America, Bread and the Carpenters. “Summer Breeze,” “Diamond Girl” and “Closer to You” all reached the Top 10, while their other popular singles included “I’ll Play for You” and “Hummingbird.”