Classics IV
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Classics IV were a pop rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1965.
The group grew out of a local cover band called The Classics, consisting of Talmadge Branch, Walter Eaton, Burt Norton, & Robert Nix, who went on to play in The Atlanta Rhythm Section and on the first two Lynyrd Skynyrd albums.
The original band 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.
They moved to Atlanta, Georgia and received 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 charts in the U.S., and #46 in the UK.
After receiving 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 ten hits, "Stormy" (1968, #5) and "Traces" (1969, #2), and a Top Twenty hit, "Everyday With You Girl" (1969, #19).
The band 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 Grand label. Cobb, Daughtry, and producer Buddy Buie joined the Atlanta Rhythm Section in 1974.
Dennis Yost owns the rights to the Classics IV for performing and recording, and continues to perform their songs.
Cover versions of "Spooky" have been recorded by several artists including Dusty Springfield, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Lydia Lunch and Imogen Heap for the soundtrack of Just Like Heaven.
