Who was Jim Croce? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: James Joseph Croce

Died At Age: 30

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Ingrid Croce

father: James Albert Croce

mother: Flora Mary

children: A. J. Croce

Rock Singers Folk Singers

Height: 5'9" (175 cm), 5'9" Males

Died on: September 20, 1973

place of death: Natchitoches, Louisiana, United States

U.S. State: Pennsylvania

Ancestry: Italian American

City: Philadelphia

Cause of Death: Plane Crash

More Facts

education: Villanova University

Recommended For You

1

When did Jim Croce release his first studio album?

Jim Croce released his first studio album in 1966.
2

What was Jim Croce's most famous song?

Jim Croce's most famous song is "Time in a Bottle."
3

Where did Jim Croce die?

Jim Croce died in a plane crash in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
4

How did Jim Croce become famous?

Jim Croce became famous through his storytelling songwriting style and hit songs in the early 1970s.
5

What genre of music did Jim Croce primarily perform?

Jim Croce primarily performed folk rock and acoustic music.

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Career

Jim Croce started taking music seriously while he was studying at the Villanova University. He formed bands and performed at parties, coffee houses, and even other universities. Soon, his band got selected for a foreign exchange tour of Africa, the Middle East, and Yugoslavia. He released his first album ‘Facets’ in 1966. The album was financed with only $500 dollars. His parents financed the album with the hope that it wouldn’t be a success and he would give up his career in music. However, the album was a success with every copy being sold. It was also during this time that he married his wife Ingrid Jacobson. For several years, the couple performed together as a duo. In 1967, he released his second album ‘Jim & Ingrid Croce’ along with his wife.

Croce signed a three-record contract with ABC Records in 1972. Shortly after, he released his third album ‘You Don’t Mess Around With Jim’. The album was a huge hit, peaking at the first position on the US Billboard 200 and also on the Canadian RPM 100. The single ‘You Don’t Mess Around’ became one of the most successful singles of his entire career.

His next album ‘Life and Times’ was also a major success. It appeared on multiple charts including the Canadian RPM 100 at the 1st position and the US Billboard 200 at the 7th. The single ‘Bad, Bad Leroy Brown’ became very popular and topped several charts.

Jim Croce’s fifth and final album was ‘I’ve Got a Name’ which was released posthumously in December 1973. It was a success like his previous albums and appeared on multiple charts including the US Billboard 200, where it stood at the 2nd position, and the Canadian RPM chart where it stood at the same position. ‘I’ve Got a Name’, ‘Washing at the Car Wash Blues’ and ‘Age’ were the most successful singles of the album.

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Personal Life

Jim Croce was born on 10th January 1943 in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the US. His parents were James Albert Croce and Flora Mary. He studied at the Malvern Preparatory School and later at the Villanova University, majoring in psychology with a minor in German. He graduated in 1965.

He met his future wife Ingrid Jacobson at a concert in 1963. They got married in 1966. As his wife was Jewish, he converted to Judaism.

He died in a plane crash on 20th September 1973, when the plane he was travelling in crashed into a tree while taking off from the Natchitoches Regional Airport. The crash led to the death of many passengers including the pilot. Jim Croce left behind his wife and son Adrian James Croce.

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Facts About Jim Croce

Jim Croce's hit song "Time in a Bottle" was written for his unborn son, A.J., who was born after Croce's untimely death.

Croce's unique fingerpicking style on the guitar was influenced by artists like Mississippi John Hurt and Big Bill Broonzy.

He was known for his storytelling lyrics and often drew inspiration from his own life experiences.

Croce's song "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" was inspired by a tough guy he knew while growing up in South Philadelphia.

Despite achieving fame relatively late in his career, Croce's music continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

Jim Croce Biography

You wanted to know

When did Jim Croce release his first studio album?

What was Jim Croce's most famous song?

Where did Jim Croce die?

How did Jim Croce become famous?

What genre of music did Jim Croce primarily perform?