Dennis Yost, 1943-2008. R.I.P.

I have just learned that Dennis Yost, the lead singer of the Classics IV, died on December 7th of respiratory failure. He was 65.

The Classics IV were part of the first wave of Southern rock. They had a run of hits in 1968 and 1969 including "Spooky", "Stormy", "Traces" & "Every Day With You Girl." Several members departed from the Classics IV in early 1970s to form the Atlanta Rhythm Section. The Atlanta Rhythm Section would re-record "Spooky" and chart a hit with it in 1979. Yost owned the rights to the band name and would continue to be their lead singer with various lineups until 2005.

Sadly, Yost fell ill and in July 2006 he sustained brain damage during a fall down a flight of stairs. He never fully recovered from those injuries and spent his final years in various nursing homes.

I liked all the songs I mentioned but I also liked some of their less well known compositions. Here's a forgotten Classics IV tune called "24 Hours of Loneliness" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwszNim0dQQ