Classics IV
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Classics IV was a pop rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1965. The band and its lead singer Dennis Yost are principally known for the hits "Spooky" and "Stormy", both released in 1968 and both of which have become cover standards.
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[edit] Career
The group grew out of a local cover band called The Classics, consisting of Talmadge Branch, Walter Eaton, Burt Norton, and Robert Nix, who went on to play in The Atlanta Rhythm Section and on the first two Lynyrd Skynyrd albums. However, the very first Classics consisted of Walter Eaton on lead guitar, Burt Norton on rhythm guitar, Glen Futch on bass guitar, Bobby Bowen on drums, plus Greg Carrol on saxophone, with a second sax player added at a later date.
Most rehearsals were held at the Norton residence in the Lakewood section of Jacksonville, Florida, beginning sometime in 1960 or 1961. The band played Ventures covers, instrumental versions of "Misty" and "Summertime", and a rendition of The Tornados "Telstar", as well as "Sherry" by The Four Seasons. Robert Nix and Dennis Yost traded places on drums a few times prior to the Classics IV being formed.
The original Classics IV members were Dennis Yost (vocals & drums), James R. Cobb (guitars), Wally Eaton (guitars) and Joe Wilson (bass). During live shows, Yost would stand in the front of the stage and play drums while singing the lead vocals. Wilson was eventually replaced by Dean Daughtry.
The Classics IV moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1967 and were discovered by Bill Lowery who produced their first national hit in 1968 with "Spooky", a song they recorded in 1967 on the Imperial Records label. Guitarist James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie added lyrics to an instrumental called "Spooky", a regional hit for saxophonist Mike Sharpe.
The song made it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S., and #46 in the UK.
Having achieved popularity, the group brought in Kim Venable on drums so that Yost could focus on singing. They changed the band name to Classics IV Featuring Dennis Yost and enjoyed two last Top 10 hits, "Stormy" (1968, #5) and "Traces" (1969, #2) and a Top Twenty hit, "Everyday With You Girl" (1969, #19).
They changed their name again, to Dennis Yost and the Classics IV, and had one last minor hit, "What Am I Crying For?" (1972, #39) on the MGM South label. Cobb, Daughtry and producer Buddy Buie joined the Atlanta Rhythm Section in 1974.
[edit] Later career
Yost continued to perform with Classics IV for the next thirty years with the most recent lineup also including Brian Correll (lead guitar, backing vocals), Don Martin (bass guitar, backing vocals), Perry Williams (keyboards, backing vocals) and Doug Reed(drums).
Following an outdoor concert on September 24, 2005 at Chenay Bay Resort, St. Croix, Virgin Islands at "Kat-Fest", Brian Correll and Don Martin headed for home, while the rest of the group stayed on the island for about a week. Martin had some business affairs to attend to and Correll returned to the recording studio to work on some songs that the group had been putting together for a new album to promote a 2006 tour, which would have marked the 40th anniversary of the group.
[edit] Illness and death of Dennis Yost
However, plans for 2006 were soon abandoned after Yost became seriously ill. On July 11, 2006, while recovering at home in a suburb of Cincinnati, Yost fell down a flight of stairs and suffered serious brain trauma. Although Yost subsequently underwent a significant amount of rehabilitation, he was never again able to perform. Since Yost's unique voice was integral to the Classics IV sound, his injury effectively placed the group on hiatus.
To assist Yost and his wife with their medical bills, a benefit concert was held on March 25, 2007, at Rhino's Live in Cincinnati, Ohio. The benefit was originally conceived by Yost's close friend Jon "Bowser" Bauman, former vocalist with Sha Na Na. Many musical entertainers and some surprise guests from the 1950s through the 1970s performed some of their biggest chart-topping hits in tribute to Yost, backed by local favorites BlueStone Ivory and Classics IV guitarist Brian Correll.
The concert did not significantly benefit Yost or his wife financially, as was hoped - expenses far exceeded the money raised, leaving the event in the red. However, it was a huge boost for Yost to visit with so many old friends.
Yost died of respiratory failure, on December 7, 2008, at the age of 65.[1]
[edit] Covers
Yost owned the rights to the Classics IV name for performing and recording. Cover versions of "Spooky" have been recorded by several artists including Dusty Springfield, Gary Walker and The Rain, The Velvet Monkeys, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Lydia Lunch, Daniel Ash, Jazz Butcher, Puppini Sisters, David Sanborn, Marc Antoine and Imogen Heap for the soundtrack of the film, Just Like Heaven.
Madlib recorded an instrumental version of "Stormy" for his album Shades of Blue (Blue Note, 2003).
In 1969 The Ventures recorded an album track which featured an instrumental medley of "Spooky", "Traces" and "Stormy".
The Supremes recorded a version of "Stormy" in early 1969, although it remained unreleased until the 1980s.
Santana (band) scored a hit with "Stormy" in December 1978, from their Inner Secrets album.
The Atlanta Rhythm Section hit the Top 20 with "Spooky" in 1979 on the album Underdog.
Recently, singer John Legend recorded a song entitled "Save Room" in 2006 that musically interpolated the melody of the main verse structure of "Stormy." Legend has it that John Legend originally had come up with the music for "Save Room" upon sheer coincidence, never having heard "Stormy" and thus having no idea of the song's melodic structure. It is said that upon realization of this, "Stormy" would be therefore acknowledged as part of Legend's new tune, and the original writers of "Stormy" were credited.
[edit] Album discography
Vinyl LPs
- Spooky - Imperial 12371 - 1968
- Mamas And Papas/Soul Train - Imperial 12407 - 1968
- Traces - Imperial 12429 - 1969 (as Classics IV featuring Dennis Yost)
- Song - Imperial - 1970
- Golden Greats, Volume 1 - Imperial 16000
- What Am I Crying For?/Rosanna/Make Me Believe It - MGM South - MSH-702 - 1972/73 (as Dennis Yost and The Classics IV)
CDs
- Lil' Bit Of Gold - Rhino R3 73004 - 1988 (this is one of Rhino's rare gold 3 inch CD singles featuring the band's four hits, "Spooky", "Traces", "Everyday With You Girl", and "Stormy") (as Classics IV featuring Dennis Yost)
- The Very Best of Classics IV - Capitol - 1988
- The Greatest Hits - EMI Special Products - 1992
- Best Of Dennis Yost & The Classics IV - Imperial/Capitol from the (Legendary Masters Series) early 1990s.
[edit] Singles discography
- "Spooky" - Imperial 66259 - 1968
- "Stormy" - Imperial 66328 - 1968
- "Change Of Heart" - Imperial (# unknown)
- "Traces" - Imperial 66352 - 1969
- "Everyday With You Girl" - Imperial 66378 - 1969
- "Midnight" - Imperial 66424 - 1970
- "The Funniest Thing" - Imperial 66439 - 1970
- "What Am I Crying For?" - MGM South 7002 - 1972
[edit] References
- ^ Associated Press, December 8, 2008 Classics IV singer Dennis Yost dies at 65; www.msnbc.msn.com
