[2] The band, founded by Dennis Yost, is known mainly for the hits "Spooky", "Stormy", and "Traces" (released 1967–69), which have become cover standards.
[3] The group began as The Classics, a Jacksonville cover band consisting of guitarist J. R. Cobb, bassist Walter Eaton, keyboardist Joe Wilson, sax player Greg Carroll, and drummer Dennis Yost, who had previously been a member of The Echoes.
[4] The group was discovered performing in Daytona Beach by talent agent Alan Diggs, who became the band's manager in partnership with Paul Cochran and, later, Buddy Buie.
The Classics' debut single was "Pollyanna", a song written by Lowery client Joe South and sung in a style resembling the Four Seasons.
However, after they were later informed that there was already a recording act called The Classics, who had had a hit single in 1963 with "Till Then", the group added "IV" to their name to represent their four members.
Guitarists Cobb and Buie added lyrics to a jazz instrumental titled "Spooky", a 1966 regional hit for Atlanta saxophonist Mike Sharpe.
The band changed its name to The Classics IV featuring Dennis Yost and enjoyed two more top-10 hits, "Stormy" (1968, Hot 100 No.
[5] After recovering from a car accident suffered in May 1969, Eaton left the band and later on became an electronics expert, working for Unisys.
[8] During the mid 70s to early 80s, the Atlanta Rhythm Section scored a number of Top 40 hits, notably "Doraville", "So in to You", "Imaginary Lover", "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight", "Do It or Die", and their rendition of "Spooky".
Other incarnations included Toledo musicians Danny Joe Greenburg on Bass, and Sid Siddall on drums.
To assist Yost and his wife with their medical bills, a benefit concert was held on March 25, 2007, at Rhino's Live in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The concert did not significantly benefit Yost or his wife financially as hoped, as expenses far exceeded the money raised, leaving the event in the red.
[12] The current line-up of Classics IV consists of Tom Garrett as lead vocalist, Mark Cowles on bass, James Yoder on keyboards, Paul Weddle on saxophone, John Kerner on guitar, and Shawn White on drums.