JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Jim Croce Forty One Years Ago

Sept. 20th 1973 around 10:PM Jim Croce along with his guitar player Maury Muehleisen, comedian George Stevens, manager Ken Cortose, road manager Dennis Rast, and pilot Robert Elloit took off from Natchitoches La. bound for Dallas Tx. to play a show in Sherman. The 57 year old pilot suffered a heart attack during takeoff and the plane hit some tall pecan trees at the end of the runway. The plane was destroyed and everyone on board were killed.

I know that 41 years isn't exactly a milestone, but it's the date that counts. I read that Croce was weary from the road and was considering giving up performing to write screenplays and novels. I wonder where he would be now.

Hi Ben:

Jim Croce! What an immense talent. He is a legend now and his songs live on and on. Weariness from the toll placed on performers by being on the road too much is a common malady.

I suspect (if he had lived) that once he was able to rest a bit and recharge his musical batteries, he would have beeen drawn right back into living his dream. He is still missed but I am so grateful for all those great songs he gave us... and performed so well.

Thanks for reminding us.

One of the Best Singer Songwriters along with Cat Stevens and Harry Chapin....both had short but productive lives and careers. Time in a Bottle is a timeless song that will last forever and his guitar player was awesome.

Jim Croce was one of my first musical influences. I learned to play all his songs as a teenager and still break out a cd from time to time when feeling nostalgic. Whether he was making you smile with songs like "Bad Bad Leory Brown" or bringing a tear to your eyes with "Lovers Cross", the emotions his music evoked were always genuine. He was the guy next door who everyone felt like they knew.
The common man with a not so common gift. Thanks for the memories Jim!

He was one of the best. Without a doubt.

"I GOT A NAME" was my favorite.
He had a short life but shone like a shooting star.
I guess it's not HOW LONG you stay but How Much you do.
B

I remember Croce when he was playing music with his wife, Ingrid. They used to do open mics in Philly. We called her "The Bird Lady", because she sounded like a warbling bird when she sang.