Classics IV began life as The Classics, a Jacksonville instrumental covers band consisting of JR Cobb on guitar, bassist Walter Eaton, keyboardist Joe Wilson, and Dennis Yost on drums.
The Classics eventually picked up a singles deal with Capitol Records, releasing debut single Pollyanna before looming legal action from another group called The Classics prompted a name change to Classics IV (because the group had four members).
Adding lyrics to a jazz instrumental entitled Spooky, Classics IV then made it to #3 in the US and #46 in the UK in February 1968.
Drummer Kim Venable was brought into the band so Dennis Yost (who was now the lead vocalist) could move out front.
Joe Wilson left the band and was replaced by Dean Daughtry, from Roy Orbison‘s backing band, The Candymen.
The band achieved two more Top 10 hits with Stormy (1968) and Traces (1969) and in 1970, Cobb and Daughtry formed Atlanta Rhythm Section with ex-Candymen drummer Robert Nix.
With Dennis Yost now the only remaining original member, the group changed its name to Dennis Yost and the Classics IV.
Their subsequent releases were less successful and their final top 40 hit – What Am I Crying For? (1972) – peaked at #39.
After the release of My First Day Without Her (1975), Yost disbanded the group although he began touring under the Classics IV name again in 2001.
Dennis Yost died from respiratory failure on 7 December 2008. He was 65.
Dennis Yost
Vocals, drums JR Cobb
Guitar Walter Eaton
Bass Joe Wilson
Keyboards Kim Venable
Drums Dean Daughtry
Keyboards
