Post by Rob Durkee on Dec 10, 2008 0:01:30 GMT -5
By ROCKIN' ROBIN
The Classics IV were soft rock long before we even know what soft rock was. Sadly, the group's lead singer has been silenced.
Dennis Yost, the lead singer and drummer of the Classics IV, died Sunday (December 7, 2008) of respiratory failure at Fort Hamilton Hospital in Hamilton, Ohio. He was 65. A hospital spokesperson reported that Yost had been in failing health in recent years.
According to Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Yost had become seriously ill in 2006, just when the Classics IV were attempting to undergo a 40th anniversary tour. While recovering at his home in a suburb of Cincinnati, Yost fell down a flight of stairs and suffered significant brain injuries. He was never able to perform again.
A benefit concert was held on Yost's behalf at Rhino's Life in Cincinnati on March 25, 2007, but it failed to raise any money for Yost and his family. However, the event was a morale booster for Yost, who once again got to see many of his close musical friends, include Classics IV guitarist Brian Correll and close friend Jon "Bowser" Bauman of Sha Na Na fame.
The Classics IV formed in Jacksonville in the early 1960's and in 1967, moved to Atlanta. That's where they were discovered by Bill Lowery, who produced their late 1967 breakthrough hit, "Spooky," which peaked at #2 on the Cash Box pop singles chart. Almost a year later in the fall of 1968, the Classics IV had another #2 hit with "Stormy." Both those #2 hits were remade later in the 1970's. "Spooky" was a hit for the Atlanta Rhythm Section while Santana remade "Stormy."
The Classics IV chalked up two more top 40 hits in 1969 with "Traces" (#3) and "Everyday With You Girl" (#15). In 1972, Yost had a solo Top 40 hit with "What Am I Crying For", which reached #31.
This writer's favorite Classics IV hit, though, was "The Funniest Thing," which only reached #50 in 1970. That mid-tempo tune was about a man who runs into his ex-girlfriend and laments seeing her on a date with another man. The lyrics went, "She was out on the town with her new honey, having a ball, spending his money. Oh, it was the funniest thing."
Buddy Buie, who co-wrote many of the Classics IV hits with guitarist J.R. Cobb, said, "Dennis has an incredible voice...just a great voice for love songs."
The Classics IV helped pave the way for the early 1970's soft rock movement led by acts like the Carpenters, Bread and James Taylor.
The Classics IV were soft rock long before we even know what soft rock was. Sadly, the group's lead singer has been silenced.
Dennis Yost, the lead singer and drummer of the Classics IV, died Sunday (December 7, 2008) of respiratory failure at Fort Hamilton Hospital in Hamilton, Ohio. He was 65. A hospital spokesperson reported that Yost had been in failing health in recent years.
According to Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Yost had become seriously ill in 2006, just when the Classics IV were attempting to undergo a 40th anniversary tour. While recovering at his home in a suburb of Cincinnati, Yost fell down a flight of stairs and suffered significant brain injuries. He was never able to perform again.
A benefit concert was held on Yost's behalf at Rhino's Life in Cincinnati on March 25, 2007, but it failed to raise any money for Yost and his family. However, the event was a morale booster for Yost, who once again got to see many of his close musical friends, include Classics IV guitarist Brian Correll and close friend Jon "Bowser" Bauman of Sha Na Na fame.
The Classics IV formed in Jacksonville in the early 1960's and in 1967, moved to Atlanta. That's where they were discovered by Bill Lowery, who produced their late 1967 breakthrough hit, "Spooky," which peaked at #2 on the Cash Box pop singles chart. Almost a year later in the fall of 1968, the Classics IV had another #2 hit with "Stormy." Both those #2 hits were remade later in the 1970's. "Spooky" was a hit for the Atlanta Rhythm Section while Santana remade "Stormy."
The Classics IV chalked up two more top 40 hits in 1969 with "Traces" (#3) and "Everyday With You Girl" (#15). In 1972, Yost had a solo Top 40 hit with "What Am I Crying For", which reached #31.
This writer's favorite Classics IV hit, though, was "The Funniest Thing," which only reached #50 in 1970. That mid-tempo tune was about a man who runs into his ex-girlfriend and laments seeing her on a date with another man. The lyrics went, "She was out on the town with her new honey, having a ball, spending his money. Oh, it was the funniest thing."
Buddy Buie, who co-wrote many of the Classics IV hits with guitarist J.R. Cobb, said, "Dennis has an incredible voice...just a great voice for love songs."
The Classics IV helped pave the way for the early 1970's soft rock movement led by acts like the Carpenters, Bread and James Taylor.