Out On The Floor - Dobie Gray

Today’s trip down musical memory lane takes us to 1966 and Dobie Gray’s “Out On The Floor.”

A classic dancefloor anthem, considered definitive of Northern Soul, this song was initially released in the US in May 1966. But it wasn't released in the UK until 1975, peaking at number 42 in the UK charts.

Probably best remembered for his 1973 smash hit "Drift Away," Dobie Gray, born Lawrence Darrow Brown* in 1940, was a singer and songwriter whose music spanned several genres, including soul, country, pop, and even musical theatre (he was a cast member of the Hollywood version of Hair in the late 1960s).

*Other sources claim he was born Leonard Victor Ainsworth, which is a name he used on some early recordings.

He recorded under the names of Leonard Ainsworth, Larry Curtis and Larry Dennis until Sonny Bono (of Sonny and Cher fame) directed him towards Stripe Records, who suggested he use the name Dobie Gray.

Dobie passed away in December 2011 from complications resulting from cancer surgery. He left his estate to charity.