EyeSpy: Remembering Dobie Gray
The ‘In Crowd’ and ‘Drift Away’ singer Dobie Gray has died aged 71.
Gray was born into a family of sharecroppers in Simonton, Texas. It was his grandfather who proved to be his greatest influence. He was a Baptist Minister which saw Dobie’s life centre upon his family, the church and music. Dobie moved in the 1960s to California where the rest as they say is history. It was a meeting with Sonny Bono (of Sonny and Cher fame) which put Gray onto the path of music recording.
In later years as well as continuing to perform and record, Dobie also turned to songwriting. In 2003 it was back to the pop charts when Rap Artist, Uncle Kracker invited Gray to perform on a new version of Drift Away, which topped the American charts.
His last message to fans on his official website read, “Here’s wishing all of you the very best of everything that life has to offer. From strength to strength! Live every day to the fullest and stay lifted. Better days are ahead”
Back to the early 1970s, and the official video for Drift Away…
Dobie Gray, July 26th 1940 – December 6th 2011
More on the singer at his official site here (opens in a new window)
