CLASSIC TRIBUTE

Dennis Yost: July 20, 1943 - December 7, 2008........

The year was 1968. I was 16 years old and my buddies and I were on our way to Boone, NC to see my hero Dennis Yost and the Classics Four in person. As we entered the stadium I can only look back and say, it was reminiscent of the old black and white footage of the Beatles concerts we see from time to time. It was literally a sea of screaming kids. My adrenalin was making my heart pump wildly as Dennis Yost took the stage and starting singing "Spooky". About 10 years later I heard he was performing in South Carolina at a club called the Abby. I decided to go and upon arrival I was shocked. It was a small club about half full. The band was not the Classics Four and quite frankly very lame! Dennis halfheartedly sang his hits on a small inferior PA system while the crowd seemed more interested in chatting and drinking than listening. During the break I timidly walked up to Dennis who was standing alone in a corner, head down. I asked if he'd sign an album I had brought. He seemed almost amazed that someone was asking for an autograph. I know this is a sad story, but his golden voice lives on. I've been in and out of the music business myself for 50 years. It's a very fickle and unkind business. Out of all the singers over the years, if I had to pick my favorite, it would be Dennis Yost!



"Classic Tribute" Arrangement, Keyboards, Lead Vocal: Mike Miller; Guitars: Marty Miller; Saxophone: Jimmy Davis; Drums: Alan Knight; Backup Vocals: Cheryl and Vicki Miller; Recorded at: Wizecracker Studio, Lenoir, NC

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dennis Yost
• Classics Four
• Stormy
• Spooky

[lvyost]

Thank you for the kind words I, too, think he was the greatest However, Dennis would have never wanted anyone to consider him a victim. Sure the music bussiness is brutal, but he was only concerned about the music, and he accomplished that goal. The last pics were after he sustained a severe brain trauma from a fall down two flights of stairs. Even after the fall he had his dignity and enjoyed singing every Wednesday to a standing room only crowd at the nursing home.

Mrs. Linda (Dennis)Yost

[zoomotdepot]

Linda:

What an honor it is for me to have you comment! I spent ten years playing keyboards and singing six nights a week in the 1980s and I know what a brutal life it is. My formative years were spent listening to Dennis sing. I'm sure he kept his diginty even after the accident. Speaking as a singer myself, There has NEVER been a voice like your husbands. In fact I do not believe there ever will be. He had a warmth and style other singers can only dream of.

God Bless you:

Mike Miller

[cherylharrell1961]

So sad how folks weren't paying attention to him in that later show and how he ended up at the end. RIP you are singing in heavens choir now...

[zoomotdepot]

chery:

I couldn't agree more. Dennis is the only singer that actually had a "tear" in his voice. He should have received MUCH more recognition. He lives in our hearts !!

[HollyPhi]

Has anyone ever told you that you have a great voice ; )

[zoomotdepot]

Thx Holly...Not as good as it used to be. I used to last two photos of Yost to illustrate a point of how cruel things can be. The last pic just portays his feeling of hopelessness.. By the way Mike Hanson that went into BH and did the hidden camera work for Alex ids a friend of mine.

[teddyrailroad]

growing up in the late 60s and 70s,NOBODY HAD A VOICE LIKE DENNIS YOST.....A TRUE LEGEND...I MISS YOU....

[veadlsteak]

wonderful...what can I say?Thank you!