Dean Daughtry, a co-founder of Atlanta Rhythm Part, has died at age 76. The information was confirmed in a Fb publish on the band’s official web page.
“We’re unhappy to announce the passing of our longtime and authentic member Dean ‘OX’ Daughtry,” learn the publish. “For 49 years he by no means missed a gig, till his well being compelled him to retire a few years in the past, chopping brief his objective of fifty years. He was like a bulldog, however his mates knew him as ‘OX.” Our hearts exit to his spouse Donna, and his household. We’re gonna miss you, Ol’ Buddy.”
Daughtry was born in Kinston, Ala., on Sept. 8, 1946. “I began taking piano classes after I was 5, and my mom appreciated gospel songs, so I realized issues like ‘What a Good friend We Have in Jesus,'” he informed AL.com in 2020. Earlier than lengthy, he was enjoying in native juke joints.
He finally landed a gentle gig as the keyboard participant for the Candymen, a pop quintet that usually carried out as Roy Orbison’s backing band. He then spent a brief stint because the keyboardist for the Classics IV, who hit the High 10 in 1965 with “Spooky.”
In 1970, Atlanta Rhythm Part started to take form with two different former members of the Candymen: Rodney Justo and Robert Nix, plus James B. Cobb Jr. from the Classics IV. Barry Bailey and Paul Goddard, who had additionally backed up Orbison, joined, too.
The group signed with Decca Information, releasing their first, self-titled album in January 1972. It did not fare properly commercially, and neither did their subsequent two albums, so the band targeted consideration on performing, opening for artists just like the Who and the Rolling Stones, amongst others.
Then their most profitable album arrived in 1976. A Rock and Roll Various included the No. 7 hit “So Into You.” One other No. 7 hit got here in 1978, “Imaginary Lover.” Daughtry earned co-writing credit on each songs, which turned staples of the band’s dwell present and have continued to obtain airplay through the years. “That’s the final objective for a musician, a recording musician,” Daughtry mentioned in 2020. “It feels good.”
Watch Atlanta Rhythm Part Carry out ‘So Into You’ Reside in 1977
“Whereas ARS is understood to be a guitar-centric band, simply hearken to the recordings and you will notice the contribution that Dean delivered to the band,” the brand new Fb publish mentioned. “From the primary chord of ‘So Into You’ and the introduction to ‘Imaginary Lover’ … he left his imprint on the band’s recordings.”
Though Atlanta Rhythm Part’s lineup modified over the a long time, Daughtry remained the band’s sole fixed member. (They’re at the moment scheduled to play a number of concert events throughout the U.S. this 12 months.)
In 2020, Daughtry was requested if there was something he wished he had gotten to do in his profession. “Tour with the Beatles!” he joked. “However I used to be actually [lucky] to get my begin with Roy Orbison. It was nice. We had lots of good occasions.”
Watch Atlanta Rhythm Part Carry out ‘Imaginary Lover’ Reside in 1979
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