By Shawn Proctor

Jim Croce ’65, the beloved singer-songwriter who passed away at 30, was born January 10, 1943. To honor his birthday, we’re throwing it back to 1965, when then “James” Croce shared his musical talent on campus as a member of The Villanova Singers, who celebrated their 70th anniversary last year. That yearbook, contained in the University’s Digital Library, is truly “Time in a Bottle.” All photos: copyright Villanova University, credit Digital Library@Villanova University.

Yearbook photo of Jim Croce. Copyright: Villanova University, credit: Digital Library@Villanova University

Wearing loafers and a sweater, Croce lounges in a tree and strums his guitar as a co-ed listens on. Copyright: Villanova University, credit: Digital Library@Villanova University

The Villanova Singers (1965) Copyright: Villanova University, credit: Digital Library@Villanova University

Copyright: Villanova University, credit: Digital Library@Villanova University

Shawn Proctor, MFA, is Communication and Marketing Program Manager at Falvey Library.

Jim Croce ’65 sings to a female student

Legendary singer Jim Croce ’65 left his stamp on Villanova and on the music world before his untimely death at age 30. While an undergrad, Croce was a leader of the oldest singing group on campus, The Villanova Singers, who can be heard on campus even now. After graduating, he penned and sang #1 hits, such as “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and “Time in a Bottle.” He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1990. His music legacy continues, with his songs featured in films and television, including Django Unchained, Logan, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Stranger Things.

On the 55th anniversary of Croce’s debut album Facets, Falvey is sharing a recently discovered image from his senior yearbook, contained in the University’s Digital Library. Here, Croce, seen lounging in a campus tree and wearing loafers and a sweater, strums his guitar as a co-ed listens on.