Dobie Gray, born Lawrence Darrow Brown on July 26, 1940, was an American singer and songwriter known for his soulful voice and memorable hits. His career took off with the release of "The 'In' Crowd" in 1965, marking his first major success. Gray's versatility extended beyond music; he spent several years as an actor, notably performing for two and a half years in the Los Angeles production of the musical "Hair." In 1973, he achieved his greatest success with the song "Drift Away," written and produced by Mentor Williams, which peaked at #5 on the US pop chart and sold over a million copies. Dobie Gray passed away on December 6, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of classic hits and a lasting impact on the music industry.