Jim Croce's iconic 1973 hit "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown," his first No. 1 single, was based on a real person whom he met during his time in the National Guard. Whilst the song's fictional-sounding narrative has become a classic of popular music, the revelation that it drew from a genuine encounter adds a fascinating human dimension to one of the era's most memorable songs.

Croce met the real Leroy Brown at Fort Dix, New Jersey, where they were in lineman school together. Brown went absent without leave but returned at month's end to collect his paycheck, only to be arrested. The song earned Croce his only two Grammy nominations; however, he would tragically not live to see its full impact, as he died in an aeroplane crash on 20 September 1973. Despite his early death, Croce achieved posthumous chart success with "Time In A Bottle" and "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song," both reaching No. 1.