finetune artist: Classics IV

Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, the Classics IV were "discovered" by entrepreneur Bill Lowery upon their move to Atlanta in 1967. This strongly commercial quintet comprised Dennis Yost (vocals), James Cobb (b. 5 February 1944, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; lead guitar), Wally Eaton (rhythm guitar), Joe Wilson (bass) and Kim Venable (drums). Seasoned session musicians, they had already worked on records by Lowrey protgs Tommy Roe, Billy Joe Royal and the Tams. Between 1968 and 1969, they enjoyed three soft-rock US hits with "Spooky" (which sold in excess of one million copies), "Stormy" and "Traces", all expertly arranged by producer Buddie Buie. For a time, lead singer Dennis Yost was billed independently of the group, as Gary Puckett and Diana Ross had been in the Union Gap and the Supremes during the same period. Despite expanding the line-up to that of an octet with Dean Daughtry (b. 8 September 1946, Kinston, Alabama, USA), the eventual loss of major songwriter Cobb proved insurmountable. Yost failed to emerge as a star in spite of the new billing and, somewhat adrift in the early 70s, Classics IV enjoyed only one more minor hit, "What Am I Crying For" (1972). Cobb and Daughtry later formed the Atlanta Rhythm Section.

Listen to Classics IV at Finetune.

(1989) Best Of

Spooky
Stormy
Traces
Everyday With You Girl
Sunny