Dobie Gray Dead: 'Drift Away' Singer Dies at 71 From Unknown Causes

Dobie Gray, the soul singer best known for his uplifting track 'Drift Away' has passed on at the age of 71, the Boston Herald reports. According to the singer's website, Gray died on Tuesday, Dec. 6, though the cause of death was not mentioned.

Speculation surrounds Gray's birth and early life. According to several documents, the singer was born Lawrence Darrow Brown near Houston, Texas. During his career he would put under many songs under different pseudonyms including Leonard Ainsworth, Larry Curtis and Larry Dennis. In the early '70s, Sonny Bono took Gray under his wing at Stripe Records, where he gave the singer his most popular stage name.

In 1972, Gray released 'Drift Away,' which was written by Paul Williams' brother Mentor Williams. The song peaked at No. 5 on the singles charts and remained on the radio for years, and everyone from Roy Orbison to Michael Bolton covered the now-classic track. Unfortunately for Gray, he and is baritone soul would only garner one other Top 40 hit in 1979 with 'You Can Do It.' The '80s saw the singer venture further into country music until he virtually disappeared from the public eye.

In 2003, rap-rocker Uncle Kracker revived 'Drift Away' with a version that featured a vocal cameo from Gray on the final verse. The song quickly soared back to chart-topping territory for 28 weeks straight on the Adult Contemporary charts. Gray's song has become a radio staple over the years and is a surefire smile-inducer.

Listen to 'Drift Away'

Watch Uncle Kracker's 'Drift Away' Video