Classics IV
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Classics IV was a pop rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1965.
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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.
The first rehearsal, and most rehearsals afterward, were heard 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 charts 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 ten 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] Hiatus
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.
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 is still unable to perform. Since Yost's unique voice is 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. Many musical entertainers and some surprise guests from the 1950’s through the 70’s performed some of their biggest chart-topping hits in tribute to Dennis Yost, backed by local favorites, BlueStone Ivory and Classics IV guitarist Brian Correll. An interesting note to the benefit concert is that it didn't benefit Dennis or his wife financially. Without question the benefit was a huge boost for Dennis allowing him to see and visit with so many old friends, the expenses far exceeded the money raised leaving the whole thing in the red. The good news is that as of June 8th. 2008 Dennis' condition continues to improve.
[edit] Covers
Yost owns the rights to the Classics IV for performing and recording. Cover versions of "Spooky" have been recorded by several artists including Dusty Springfield, The Velvet Monkeys, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Lydia Lunch, Daniel Ash, Jazz Butcher, Puppini Sisters and Imogen Heap for the soundtrack of the film, Just Like Heaven.
Santana (band) scored a hit with "Stormy" in December 1978, from their "Inner Secrets" album.
Recently, singer John Legend recorded a song entitled "Save Room", that heavily samples "Stormy."
[edit] Album discography
[edit] Classics IV
vinyl LPs
- Spooky - Imperial 12371 - 1967
- 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
[edit] Classics IV
- Spooky - Imperial 66259 - 1968
- Stormy - Imperial 66328 - 1968
- Traces - Imperial 66352 - 1969
- Everday With You Girl - Imperial 66378 - 1969
- Midnight - Imperial 66424 - 1970
- The Funniest Thing - Imperial (# unknown) - 1970
- What Am I Crying For? - MGM South 7002 - 1972
[edit] References
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