Mentor Williams, producer and songwriter of the hit “Drift Away,” died Wednesday, November 16, 2016, in Taos, New Mexico, according to multiple news sources. He was 70.
His brother, musician Paul Williams, told The Associated Press that Mentor had died after a battle with lung cancer.
Williams’ song “Drift Away,” recorded by singer Dobie Gray, reached number 5 on the Billboard charts in 1973. A version of the song, performed by Uncle Cracker, reached number 9 on the Billboard charts 30 years later, in 2003. Williams also re-wrote part of the song for his long-time partner, country music singer Lynn Anderson, who recorded a gospel version for her final album before she died in 2015.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URw11Td8Zy0"]Drift Away Dobie Gray HD - YouTube[/ame]