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KGRT has learned that pop and country sensation Dan Seals has passed away at age 61 after a two-year battle with lymphoma. Dan Seals is best remembered as half of England Dan and John Ford Coley, who, between 1975 and 1979, made pop hits such as “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Nights Are Forever Without You,” “It’s Sad to Belong,” “Gone Too Far,” “We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again” and “Love Is the Answer.” Later Dan returned to his country roots and made the country hit parade in 1983 with his co-penned “Everybody’s Dream Girl.” “God Must Be a Cowboy” became his first self-written top-10 country hit the following year. Between 1984 and 1990, Dan had 16 consecutive top-10 hits and 11 No. 1 singles, including “My Baby’s Got Good Timing,” “Everything That Glitters,” “You Still Move Me,” “Three Time Loser,” “One Friend,” “Big Wheels in the Moonlight,” the Marie Osmond duet, “Meet Me In Montana,” and everybody’s favorite, the 1986 CMA Single of the Year, “Bop.”

Danny Wayland Seals was born in West Texas on February 8, 1948 to a large family of musicians. The family includes older cousin Johnny Duncan (1938-2006), brother Jim Seals from the duo Seals & Crofts, nephew Brady Seals from Little Texas and Hot Apple Pie, older cousin, songwriter Troy Seals, and uncle Chuck Seals, who co-wrote the country classic “Crazy Arms.”

Always the showman, Dan played rock ‘n’ roll saxophone, as well as guitar in his concerts. As a leftie, it was always special to see him play a specially strung right-handed guitar upside down and backward. Yesterday evening, he passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by wife Andrea, daughter Holley May Lizarraga and sons Jimmy, Jeremy and Jesse, as well as mother Sue, brothers Jim and Eddie and sister Renee. Our thoughts are with the family.

Watch the classic “Bop” video: