Jim Croce was an American singer-songwriter who was born on January 10, 1943, in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was known for his folk and soft rock songs, which were popular in the 1970s.

Croce started playing guitar and writing songs in high school, and after studying at Villanova University for a time, he dropped out to pursue a career in music. He played in various bands and performed at coffeehouses and clubs in the Philadelphia area before signing a record deal with ABC Records in 1972.

Croce's first album, "You Don't Mess Around with Jim," was released that same year and included the hit title track, as well as the popular songs "Operator" and "Time in a Bottle." He followed up with several more successful albums, including "Life and Times" and "I Got a Name," before his untimely death at the age of 30.

Tragically, Jim Croce died in a plane crash on September 20, 1973, just as his career was really taking off. His death was a great loss to the music world, but his songs continue to be beloved by fans to this day. Some of his other popular songs include "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown," "Photographs and Memories," and "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song."

• "Facets" (1966)
• "Jim & Ingrid Croce" (1969)
• "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" (1972)
• "Life and Times" (1973)
• "I Got a Name" (1973)

• Explore Jim Croce music on Amazon.