Classics IV - "Stormy" (1968)

Classics IV was a pop rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1965. The band and its lead singer Dennis Yost are principally known for the hits "Spooky" and "Stormy", both released in 1968 and both of which have become cover standards.
The group grew out of a local cover band called The Classics, consisting of Talmadge Branch, Walter Eaton, Burt Norton, and Robert Nix, who went on to play in The Atlanta Rhythm Section and on the first two Lynyrd Skynyrd albums. However, the very first Classics consisted of Walter Eaton on lead guitar, Burt Norton on rhythm guitar, Glen Futch on bass guitar, Bobby Bowen on drums, plus Greg Carrol on saxophone, with a second sax player added at a later date.
Most rehearsals were held at the Norton residence in the Lakewood section of Jacksonville, Florida, beginning sometime in 1960 or 1961. The band played Ventures covers, instrumental versions of "Misty" and "Summertime", and a rendition of The Tornados "Telstar", as well as "Sherry" by The Four Seasons. Robert Nix and Dennis Yost traded places on drums a few times prior to the Classics IV being formed.
The original Classics IV members were Dennis Yost (vocals & drums), James R. Cobb (guitars), Wally Eaton (guitars) and Joe Wilson (bass). During live shows, Yost would stand in the front of the stage and play drums while singing the lead vocals. Wilson was eventually replaced by Dean Daughtry.
The Classics IV moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1967 and were discovered by Bill Lowery who produced their first national hit in 1968 with "Spooky", a song they recorded in 1967 on the Imperial Records label. Guitarist James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie added lyrics to an instrumental called "Spooky", a regional hit for saxophonist Mike Sharpe. The song made it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S., and #46 in the UK. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
Having achieved popularity, the group brought in Kim Venable on drums so that Yost could focus on singing. They changed the band name to Classics IV Featuring Dennis Yost and enjoyed two last Top 10 hits, "Stormy" (1968, #5) and "Traces" (1969, #2) and a Top Twenty hit, "Everyday With You Girl" (1969, #19). "Stormy" and "Traces" both sold over one million units, and were awarded gold discs by the R.I.A.A..
They changed their name again, to Dennis Yost and the Classics IV, and had one last minor hit, "What Am I Crying For?" (1972, #39) on the MGM South label. Cobb, Daughtry and producer Buddy Buie joined the Atlanta Rhythm Section in 1974.
Yost continued to perform with Classics IV for the next thirty years. During the 1990's the lineup included Steve "Stevie G." Guettler (guitar, vocals), Jeff "JT" Strickler (bass guitar, vocals), Steve Farrell (guitar, vocals), Mike Wilson (keyboards, vocals) and Wes Armstrong (drums, vocals) of the Atlanta based group The Rockerz. The most recent lineup included Brian Correll (lead guitar, backing vocals), Don Martin (bass guitar, backing vocals), Perry Williams (keyboards, backing vocals) and Doug Reed (drums).
Following an outdoor concert on September 24, 2005 at Chenay Bay Resort, St. Croix, Virgin Islands at "Kat-Fest", Brian Correll and Don Martin headed for home, while the rest of the group stayed on the island for about a week. Martin had some business affairs to attend to and Correll returned to the recording studio to work on some songs that the group had been putting together for a new album to promote a 2006 tour, which would have marked the 40th anniversary of the group.
However, plans for 2006 were soon abandoned after Yost became seriously ill. On July 11, 2006, while recovering at home in a suburb of Cincinnati, Yost fell down a flight of stairs and suffered serious brain trauma. Although Yost subsequently underwent a significant amount of rehabilitation, he was never again able to perform. Since Yost's unique voice was integral to the Classics IV sound, his injury effectively placed the group on hiatus.
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 benefit was originally conceived by Yost's close friend Jon "Bowser" Bauman, former vocalist with Sha Na Na. Many musical entertainers and some surprise guests from the 1950s through the 1970s performed some of their biggest chart-topping hits in tribute to Yost, backed by local favorites BlueStone Ivory and Classics IV guitarist Brian Correll.
The concert did not significantly benefit Yost or his wife financially, as was hoped - expenses far exceeded the money raised, leaving the event in the red. However, it was a huge boost for Yost to visit with so many old friends.
Yost died of respiratory failure, on December 7, 2008, at the age of 65

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Cassics
• IV
• Stormy
• 1968
• Oldies
• TheBacmaster
• Music
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[EBthere]

One of those songs that take you right back to where you were and what you were doing the first time you heard it. To this day if someone is talking to me when Stormy is playing I motion to them to "WAIT".....

Someone on here made a comment that this song "pulls you in to its theme".

Yes, it does. It pulls you in and doesn't let you out for some time. A "good" thing.

Thank you for this video. Done perfectly!

[missycrissysissy008]

Doesn't get better! Dennis Yost had a beautiful voice, and he "acted out" the words as he sang too..very much "pulling", as it were, the listener right into the whole theme of the message.....God bless him. Sister Chrissy

[aaren69]

Great Video,Great Music,Nothing Like Past music Artists,Where are they today !!!!

[ComradeGarz]

one of the greatest n most underrated songs ever

[Shyyla1]

Esta música é de fato de volta ao passado, e que passado bom ! Dançar agarradinho no baile, ao som de stormy ,e literalmente aguardando um dia de sol nascer. Êta saudade boa !!!!!!!!!

[Sami42653]

Sigh...my flared jeans...peasant top..long hair..easy times made better with great music...good tune.

[TheTgmoraes]

Audio e video excelente!

Gosto muito dessa musica, velhos tempos , belos dias!

Obrigado!

[HippieNiecey]

This is an awesome slide. I love the song. Brings back some good memories from back in the day. Thanks.

[466scj]

thanks for the background info on the band.this has always been one of my favorite songs of all time.by the way,my cat is also named stormy!the video is nice!

[kittywoman5309]

I have a cat named Stormy too!!

[checky7453]

my grandaughter has a cat named stormy