England Dan Seals, Pop and Country Star, Dies in Nashville

Pop singer turned country legend Dan Seals died Wednesday, March 25, according to SealsAndSeals.com, the website dedicated to the talented Seals brothers, Dan and Jimmy (of Seals and Croft). Dan Seals was 61.

When one accesses the Seals and Seals website, a simple statement greets the viewer: "Dan Seals passed away March 25, 2009, following a valiant struggle with mantle cell lymphoma. He leaves behind thousands of fans, countless friends and a loving family. He enjoyed a musical career which spanned four decades and included hit records both as a member of pop duo England Dan and John Ford Coley, and as a solo country artist. In 1986 he won Country Music Association Awards for "Bop" and "Meet Me in Montana." He will forever be remembered for his gentle smile, easy going demeanor, his enduring faith and endless generosity."

News Channel 5 in Nashville reported that, according to his manager, Tony Gottlieb, Dan Seals died Wednesday evening at his daughter's home in Nashville.

According to Billboard, the singer leaves behind a legacy of hit music that began in the 1970s, when he went by the name of England Dan. With high school friend John Ford Coley, the soft rock duo would chart several hits in the late 70's, including the #2 "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight." England Dan and John Ford Coley would disband in 1980 with Dan Seals going on to a successful solo career.

But not at first. The Texas native would forgo his pop success and try his hand at country music. After his first solo album, "Stones," only produced a #57 single, he dropped the "England" from his name for his second album, "Harbinger." It did even worse.

He switched record labels in 1983 to Liberty/Capitol, targeted the more pop-oriented country sound made popular in the wake of the movie "Urban Cowboy," and his next effort, "Rebel Heart," produced four County Top 40 hits, including the #10 "God Must Be A Cowboy."

Strong chart presence would lead to a duet with Marie Osmond, "Meet Me in Montana," which would go to #1 in 1985, the first of nine straight songs to do so. Although the streak ended in 1988, Seals would place two more songs at No. 1 in 1990, "Love On Arrival" and "Good Times."

But the country music landscape would change. Neo-traditionalists like Doug Stone, Clint Black, Alan Jackson started dominating the charts, sharing the Top 10 with hard-charging Garth Brooks and Travis Tritt. Dan Seals style of soft pop-tinged country soon became less popular.

Although Dan Seals continued to release albums through 2002, none would produce a hit. However, he remained a successful and popular touring artist.

Dan Seals was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007.

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Sources:

Sealsandseals.com

CMT.com

Billboard.comNewschannel5.com