Tom Shipley, Whose Ode to Weed Reached the Top 10, Dies at 84

Tom Shipley, one-half of the folk-rock duo Brewer & Shipley, passed away at the age of 84. Shipley and his partner Michael Brewer gained fame in the early 1970s with their song "One Toke Over the Line," which became a surprise hit and reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song, which was intended as a humorous reference to drug use, became a cultural touchstone and a symbol of the era's counterculture. Despite its controversial subject matter, the song's catchy melody and Shipley's soulful vocals helped it crossover to mainstream success. Brewer & Shipley's music, which blended folk, rock, and country influences, earned them a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Beyond "One Toke Over the Line," the duo released several other well-received albums before parting ways in the late 1970s. Shipley's passing marks the end of an era for a group that left an indelible mark on the musical landscape of the 1970s.