James Joseph Croce, born on January 10, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a singer-songwriter known for his honest and powerful storytelling. Raised on ragtime and country music, Croce taught himself the guitar and began pursuing music seriously during his college years. He worked various jobs to support his family while playing gigs at local venues. In 1969, Croce and his wife, Ingrid, moved to New York to record an album with a friend from college, Tommy West. After signing with ABC/Dunhill label, Croce released successful albums like You Don't Mess Around with Jim (1972) and Life and Times (1973), achieving chart-topping hits like "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown."

Tragically, Croce's promising career was cut short when he died in a plane crash in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in 1973, along with four other passengers, including his bandmate Maury Muehleisen. Despite his untimely death, Croce's music continued to resonate with audiences posthumously. His album I Got a Name (1973) and hits like "Time in a Bottle" and "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" further solidified his legacy. Various compilations of his work, including Photographs & Memories and The 50th Anniversary Collection, were released over the years, showcasing Croce's enduring talent and leaving a lasting impact on the music industry.