Born on this day in suburban Philadelphia, singer/ songwriter Jim Croce (1943-1973) had a wide smile and wrote lyrics with aching honesty, clever wit, and remarkable beauty. His tragic death in a plane crash in Natchitoches, Louisiana, happened just as he had achieved enormous pop success.

"Isn't that the way they say it goes," Croce wrote in the poignant hit Operator. "But let's forget all that and give me the number if you can find it."

Fame took it's time for the singer. Before hitting it big with 1972's You Don't Mess Around with Jim, Croce graduated with a psychology degree, made small change as a coffeehouse singer and worked as a summer camp counselor, construction worker, truck driver, and remedial teacher.  Such varied exposure helped inspire his songwriting, including the #1 hit, Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.

"Leroy was based on real characters," Croce admitted. "The jobs I've had attract characters."

When asked by an interviewer to describe himself, the loveable, self-deprecating Croce replied sincerely, "I'm just me, plain folk, just like everyone else."

Such humility made him that much more special. A tough guy with a gentle heart, his lyrics celebrated the human spirit. Croce's friend, singer Don McLean remembered, "He was someone worth admiring because of his essential goodness. I miss him and think of him often."

"If it gets me nowhere, I'll go there proud."