Soul singer Dobie Gray dies, aged 71

Dobie Gray has died, aged 71.

The soul singer's death was revealed on his official website last night, though there has yet to be an official announcement on how he passed away.

Gray had massive hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including 'The In Crowd', 'Drift Away' and 'Out on the Floor'.

Real name Laurence Darrow Brown, he was raised on a farm in Houston before moving to Los Angeles where he met Sonny Bono, and soon signed a record deal.

'Drift Away' sold over a million copies in 1973, and has been covered by the likes of Roy Orbison, Rod Stewart, Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings and Michael Bolton.

Uncle Kracker recorded a new version with Gray in 2003, and took it to number 9 in the Billboard Hot 100.

Upon hearing the news of his death, Kracker tweeted: "My heart goes out to Dobie's family this evening. RIP Dobie Gray. Thank you for the music. You will not be forgotten."

Watch Dobie Gray sing 'Drift Away' below: