There is every chance you may have never heard of the late, Dan Seals.  Or it may have been a long time since you thought of him or his music.  His story was one of real success, but time and history has not been kind to him.  During his run, country was not as strong as it would eventually be and certainly nothing like today.  But in a radio world, he was very popular and had big charting success for a number of years. In those days, essentially the 1980's, we called artists like Dan Seals "radio stars."  Lots of airplay, but success in other avenues, not nearly as strong.  I played Seals music for years on great country stations across the nation

It was not for any lack of talent at all.  Dan Seals was originally known as England Dan, and had good success with the soft rock duo, England Dan and John Ford Coley on the pop charts with a run of songs in the late 1970's.  You know some of those, I'd Really Love To See You Tonight, Nights Are Forever, Love Is The Answer, and there were more. He was also the younger brother of Jimmy Seals from the highly successful pop group, Seals and Crofts also of the 1970's with hits like Summer Breeze.  Dan was from a musical family and was exceedingly talented as a vocalist and musician. He disbanded from John Ford Coley in 1980.

This Was A Big Song - Everyone Knows This One

He went country and for about five years had no success on the charts.  Then in 1985, off his fifth country album came a duet with Marie Osmond,  Meet Me In Montana  that went number one and was highly decorated within the music industry.  Then 10 of his next 11 singles all went to number one over a period that went from 1985 to almost 1991.  He was always on the radio, as his songs were very popular and his pop country sound was a staple of country radio. That included Bop, a gigantic radio record from 1985 that today, would not even be recognized as remotely "country"  sounding.  Although the song remains a favorite from that era as it is a great dance song.  Five of his singles had success on the pop charts as well, with Bop going into the top 10.

Big Country Breakthrough

The charting success culminated with a song called Good Times in 1990 as a #1. The next single called Bordertown peaked at #49, and then it was over.  No song he ever released after that went higher than that.  Country had changed, moved on and he was left behind. Garth was here, Alan Jackson too, Clint Black, Brooks And Dunn, Travis Tritt and more. Seals and tons of other 80's artists were shown the door very quickly, he was not alone.  80's Pop Country was over  -  and over right now.  This movement began a few years earlier about 1986, but with the advent of the aforementioned new stars, plus giants like George Strait, Alabama, Randy Travis, Reba and Holly Dunn, traditional country was ruling the day.

This Was A Huge Hit At The Time  #1

But Dan Seals should be remembered for the music he gave us.  He was a very talented guy that had nine straight #1 songs, recorded over a dozen albums and released about 40 singles. He also helped define an era of country that was very different from what was immediately ahead.  The Urban Cowboy craze lingered far too long, and much of the mid 80's pop country was format-less and not very marketable. But it's what we knew so we stuck with it well past it's expiration date.  Seals was just doing what artists did then.  Recorded songs that the radio would play, but few would buy, and fewer would go to see live.

This Song Really Touches People  #1

He was caught in the middle of a looming musical revolution that was coming from many avenues of the business who would eventually, and finally be brave enough to redirect the entire format.   At last placing the emphasis on our fans and giving them what they craved.   When the focus was placed on our fans first and pop fans and charts second -  it all changed.

Always Loved This Song

Dan Seals and dozens of others were simply ushered out not out of any malice, the entire genre just seismically shifted.  But Seals, regardless of the sales, concert attendance, or anything else was a very talented guy in every regard.  He deserves to be remembered for being very chart successful during a different time giving us some great music to enjoy still, even if it's on our phones or in our homes.

Another #1

Dan Seals died in 2009 of cancer - he was 61 years old.