Dobie Gray - The In Crowd (Shindig)

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Best known for his 1973 smash "Drift Away," Dobie Gray was a versatile vocalist who could handle soul, country, and pop, not to mention musical theater. Gray's origins are somewhat ill-defined; different sources alternately list his birth name as Leonard Victor Ainsworth or Laurence Darrow Brown, and his Texas birthplace as Brookshire or Simonton. His likely birth date is July 26, 1940 (though some sources list 1942 or 1943). Whatever the case, Gray grew up in a family of sharecroppers, and discovered gospel music through his grandfather, a Baptist minister. He also soaked up the R&B and country music of his surroundings, and in the early '60s he moved to Los Angeles to seek his fortune.

Before adopting the name Dobie Gray, he recorded several singles under the names Leonard Ainsworth, Larry Curtis, and Larry Dennis. His seventh single, "Look at Me," became his first chart hit in 1963, but his true breakout was a 1965 recording of "The 'In' Crowd," whose Motown-style bounce distinguished it from jazzman Ramsey Lewis' celebrated version. Gray hit the Top 20 with "The 'In' Crowd" and also had some success with the follow-up, "See You at the Go-Go"; this period -- spent mostly on the small, poorly distributed Cordak, Charger, and White Whale labels -- was the most soul-oriented of his career. It would be some time before Gray returned to the charts; in the meantime, he pursued a concurrent acting career, eventually spending two and a half years with the Los Angeles production of +Hair. During his +Hair years, Gray also sang with the band Pollution, which recorded two albums on Prophecy beginning in 1971.

In 1972, Gray resurfaced as a solo artist on MCA, with producer/songwriter Mentor Williams in his camp. Gray promptly scored the biggest hit of his career with the Williams-penned "Drift Away," which hit the Top Five in early 1973 and remains an oldies-radio staple today. The subsequent "Loving Arms," written by Tom Jans, grew into a much-covered repertory item, recorded by singers from the realms of rock, country, and R&B. Gray's own sound was shifting more toward country as well, and when he moved to Capricorn in 1975, he recorded in Nashville with new songwriting collaborator Troy Seals (he eventually relocated there permanently). Gray's popularity in Europe and Africa was growing steadily, and he managed to talk South African authorities into allowing him to play to integrated audiences during the apartheid era.

Gray's tenure in Nashville was marked by a commercial downturn, but his increased activity as a songwriter -- mostly in a country vein -- resulted in covers by the likes of Don Williams, Charley Pride, George Jones, and John Denver, among others. The disco-flavored "You Can Do It" became his final Top 40 hit in 1978, the same year he recorded the first of two LPs for Infinity. When Infinity went bankrupt, Gray concentrated exclusively on songwriting for a few years, then re-emerged on Capitol in the mid-'80s as a full-fledged country artist. He made the lower reaches of the country charts with singles like "That's One to Grow On" and "From Where I Stand," but found it impossible to break through to a wider country audience, and again faded from view after two albums. In 1997, Gray released Diamond Cuts, a mix of new songs and re-recorded past hits.

~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Category:

Education

Tags:

• pop
• rock
• r&b

[2ajjames]

The fabulous early 60's for car clubs, street racing and cruising. Our #1 location was Whittier Blvd., ELA Ca. There was this one car club titled "The In Crowd", mostly cool guys. They were a hot club at that time, but the vast majority of car clubs were hot rodding car clubs. I was in the "Gear Jammers", and later, "The Wheelies", with my souped up 55 Chevy! My glory days!!!!

[John1948FourA]

@2ajjames Sounds fun. I think back in the day Southern CA was the place to be. I love my hometown in Nebraska but I could have been happy in LA. I had a cousin in La Canada who really got into the surfing life. In fact he opened a surf shop on the beach and ran it his whole adult life. I visited once and he was going to teach me to surf but I broke my ankle just before the trip.

[coomason5]

Who is the host? I remember 'Shindig' a little, but not the host. Good video, btw.

[John1948FourA]

@coomason5 Jimmy O'Neil.  He was the permanent host but I think he was virtually unknow otherwise.

[giacchinyc]

GREAT clip, thanks! the blossoms were - against the wishes of the network - the first non-white "regulars" on any 60's music show. darlene continues to perform to this day and sounds as good as she did back then!

[John1948FourA]

@giacchinyc It's hard to believe that it was "against the wishes of the network" since they had complete control. I can easily believe that they were hard to convince though. I would like to read some more about this if you have the source.

[TheAlohagil]

Surfing, No BS, 1961 I was 13 years of age, I learned how to surf at Ray Bay, Seal Beach, ca, a great beginners break to learn how to surf. Yep, quite a rush! Still surf to this day, but don't last out in the water near as long as when I was younger. My first longboard was a used Velzy, it cost me a whopping $25.00. The days of no leashes, and fins were called skegs, and they were huge and heavy. Surf & hot rod music ruled the air waves!

!

[williamg2552]

@John1948FourA Jimmy O'Neil was also a popular L.A. Disc Jockey at the time.

[trbfshmn]

Does anyone else see how much a young Samuel Jackson looks like Dobie??? trb

[MrAntbanks35]

RIP Mr Dobie Gray!

[imjustsofree]

R.I.P.- Dobie Gray

I loved this song and always sing it in my head so you did touch the world mister :)

[InnaSoulSounds]

Crying here..



[heftysue]

Rest in Peace. Love this song and one of his other songs, Drift Away

[tomthefunky]

R.I.P. You were great!!