Today we commemorate the birthday of Dobie Gray, born July 26, 1942.
The Texas-born minister’s grandson first hit charts in 1965 with “The In Crowd” after being discovered a few years earlier by Sonny Bono (of Sonny and Cher fame).
Gray went on to have several hits, including “Loving Arms,” “Look at Me” and his signature song, “Drift Away.” After his recording days died down, Gray appeared in many stageplays such as A Raisin In the Sun and Hair. It was years later that Kid Rock’s drummer, Uncle Kracker, brought Gray back to the spotlight with a remake duet of “Drift Away,” which once again shot to the top of the chart.
Dobie died in December 2011 at age 71.