The mellow sounds of England Dan And John Ford Coley resonated through the 1970s, crafting a soundtrack of soft rock hits that continue to evoke a sense of nostalgia and gentle melodies. The story of this successful duo began in the hallways of a Dallas, Texas high school in the early 1960s, when Dan Seals and John Colley’s paths first crossed, setting the stage for a harmonious musical journey.
Dan Seals, born on February 8, 1950, in McCamey, Texas, was immersed in music from his earliest days. His father, E.W. “Waylon” Seals, worked for Shell Oil but was also a skilled guitarist and bassist, having played with notable figures like Ernest Tubb and Bob Wills. Dan’s musical aptitude surfaced early; by the age of four, he was playing the upright bass and soon joined the family band. Music ran deep in the Seals family. His older brother, Jim Seals, achieved fame with The Champs’ instrumental hit “Tequila” and later as half of the renowned duo Seals & Crofts. The family’s musical tree branched further, including country musicians Eddie Seals (of Eddie and Joe), and composers Chuck Seals (“Crazy Arms”) and Troy Seals, along with Brady Seals (of Little Texas) and country singer Johnny Duncan as cousins. John Colley, born on October 13, 1951, brought a different musical background to the partnership, having trained as a classical pianist. Their initial collaborations were in local cover bands like Playboys Five and Theze Few. As The Shimmerers, they even recorded demos in Nashville, but their early momentum was tragically halted by the untimely death of their producer, who was crucial to securing them a record deal.
Their breakthrough as a duo began within the band Southwest F.O.B. (Freight On Board). In this group, Colley played keyboards, and Seals showcased his versatility on saxophone and vocals. Southwest F.O.B. gained regional popularity in Dallas with their blend of rock and R&B. Signed to Hip Records, a subsidiary of Stax/Volt, they released the album “Smell of Incense” in 1968. The title track climbed to #56 on the charts, hinting at their potential. During this period, Seals and Colley started songwriting together, realizing their musical inclinations were diverging from the band’s overall direction. They found themselves drawn towards a softer, more harmonious sound, influenced more by Paul Simon than the hard rock of Jimi Hendrix. They began performing acoustic sets as an opening act for Southwest F.O.B., their vocal harmonies captivating audiences and setting a warm tone before the full band took the stage. By 1969, their shared vision led them to leave Southwest F.O.B. and head to California, aiming to forge their path as a dedicated duo.
Initially considering the name Colley and Wayland (Seals’ middle name), they sought a moniker that resonated more effectively. It was Jim Seals who suggested incorporating Dan’s childhood nickname, “England Dan.” This nickname stemmed from Dan’s youthful fascination with The Beatles and a brief, playful affectation of an English accent. “Ford” was added to John Colley’s name, and his last name was intentionally shortened to “Coley” to ensure correct pronunciation. England Dan And John Ford Coley was not only euphonious but also distinctive, grabbing the attention of radio programmers, reviewers, and promoters, piquing public curiosity even before anyone had heard their music.
As England Dan & John Ford Coley, they signed with A&M Records in 1970. Guitarist Louis Shelton, who had previously played with Jim Seals in The Dawnbreakers and later with Seals & Crofts, played a pivotal role by bringing their demo to Herb Alpert at A&M. They released two LPs, a self-titled debut and “Fables,” both produced by Shelton. These albums, while not commercially explosive, offered glimpses of their signature sound and included the minor chart entry “New Jersey” (#103) and a surprise #1 hit in Japan with “Simone.” These early recordings showcased a slightly less polished version of their later, smoother style, featuring seasoned Los Angeles session musicians like Larry Knechtel, Tommy Morgan, and Hal Blaine, complemented by string arrangements from Marty Paich.
However, after their contract with A&M concluded in 1972, they were released from the label. Undeterred, they continued to perform, and Coley contributed his musical talents to a couple of Seals And Crofts albums. A turning point arrived four years later, in 1976, when their manager played them a demo of “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight,” a song penned by Mississippi composer Parker McGee. The duo recorded their own demo of the track and began presenting it to various record labels. Ironically, after being turned down by an executive at Atlantic Records, Doug Morris of Big Tree Records overheard the song through the wall of his adjacent office and immediately offered them a contract. Dan and John were paired with producer Kyle Lehning, who had also produced McGee’s demo. The result was a breakthrough #2 Pop single in the spring of 1976, which went on to sell over two million copies. In July 1976, England Dan And John Ford Coley released their debut album for Big Tree, “Nights Are Forever,” also produced by Lehning. Their second single from the album, “Nights Are Forever Without You,” another Parker McGee composition, also soared into the Billboard Top 10, solidifying their place in the soft rock landscape.
In 1977, their second album, “Dowdy Ferry Road,” produced further hits with “It’s Sad To Belong (To Someone Else)” (#20) and “Gone Too Far” (#23). While these songs enjoyed success, the record label, aiming for even greater commercial heights, pressured the duo to seek out songs from external songwriters that could propel them into the Top 10 consistently. England Dan and John Ford Coley had dedicated years to refining their distinctive sound and collaborative songwriting, allowing them to explore musical avenues that were personally meaningful. However, they felt that this deeply personal aspect of their work was being sidelined in the pursuit of chart-topping hits.
Their third LP, “Some Things Don’t Come Easy,” released in 1978, seemed to inadvertently reflect the challenges they were facing. The album did produce a #9 hit with “We’ll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again,” but this song was written by Jeffrey Comanor, not by Seals or Coley. Furthermore, the album’s mixing took place in New York, a departure from their previous work, which had been recorded and mixed at Lee Hazen’s studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee. This shift indicated a growing pressure to evolve their sound and texture, potentially moving away from their core musical identity.
By the close of the 1970s, England Dan And John Ford Coley encountered increasing pressures from various directions. The music scene was rapidly changing, with the rise of Disco and the burgeoning Punk Rock movement. Their signature style of harmony-rich, melodic Pop-Rock was perceived by some as becoming less relevant. After challenging recording sessions in Los Angeles, they managed to salvage one song that became their final Top 10 hit, “Love Is The Answer,” penned by Todd Rundgren. Subsequent releases, “Don’t Ever Want To Lose Ya” and “What Can I Do With This Broken Heart,” peaked at #43 and #50 respectively in 1979. In March of the following year, “In It For Love” reached only #53. They made a final attempt to connect with audiences with the single “Why Is It Me” and contributed “Part of Me Part of You” to the movie Just Tell Me You Love Me. Following the release of a “Best Of” album in 1980, England Dan and John Ford Coley decided to go their separate ways, marking the end of an era for the beloved duo.
Dan Seals initially continued in Pop-Rock as England Dan Seals under Atlantic Records (which had acquired Big Tree Records). He achieved a moderate success with “Late At Night” reaching #82 in August 1980. However, this period was also marked by financial difficulties when the Internal Revenue Service took action against Seals, leading to the seizure of his assets. He re-emerged, again working with producer Kyle Lehning, reinventing himself as a Country performer. This career shift proved incredibly successful. Dan Seals quickly climbed the Country charts, achieving three hits in a single year with “Everybody’s Dream Girl,” “After You,” and “You Really Go For The Heart.” He then embarked on a remarkable six-year run of major hits, including an impressive streak of nine #1 Country singles and numerous Country Music Association awards. His duet with Marie Osmond, “Meet Me in Montana,” topped the charts in 1985 and earned them a Country Music Association Award for Best Vocal Duo. While his softer country style’s popularity waned in the 1990s, he continued to tour and released his final studio album, “Make It Home,” in 2002, leaving behind a significant legacy in country music.
John Ford Coley stepped back from performing after the duo’s disbandment. However, he returned to A&M Records in 1981 to record an album, “Leslie, Kelly & John Ford Coley,” with singers Leslie and Kelly Bulkin, which featured vocals from Jim Seals’ long-time partner Dash Crofts. In the early to mid-1990s, he resurfaced as a solo artist in Southern California. Coley also explored acting, appearing in the film Dream A Little Dream with Corey Feldman and Corey Haim, as well as Scenes From A Goldmine. He even took on a role as a villain in an episode of America’s Most Wanted, showcasing his diverse talents.
In 1996, Rhino Records released “The Very Best of England Dan And John Ford Coley,” a 16-song compilation, cementing their enduring appeal. Despite pursuing different paths and evolving their musical styles, England Dan And John Ford Coley remain synonymous with a gentler, more innocent era, their music providing some of the most cherished melodies of the 1970s.
Dan Seals sadly passed away on March 25, 2009, at the age of 61, after battling mantle cell lymphoma. John Ford Coley has continued to be active, lecturing on Christianity, authoring a book about his musical journey titled Back Stage Pass, and performing for audiences across America, keeping the spirit of their music alive.
Read Gary James’ Interview With John Ford Coley
