Spooky - Classics IV (1968)

The Classics IV were a band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1965, given credit for beginning the "soft southern rock" sound. The band and its lead singer Dennis Yost are principally known for the hits "Spooky", "Stormy", and "Traces", released in 1968 and 1969, which have become cover standards.


The group grew out of a local cover band called The Classics, consisting of Buddy Buie, JR Cobb, Walter Eaton, Dennis Yost, and Robert Nix. Buie, Cobb, Nix and Dean Daughtry went on to play in The Atlanta Rhythm Section; and Nix on the first two Lynyrd Skynyrd albums. The band played Ventures covers, instrumental versions of "Misty" and "Summertime". People started requesting songs that required vocals, so Dennis would say "I can sing that", and that was the beginning of the group's changing direction. In addition to playing a rendition of The Tornados "Telstar", they started playing songs with vocals, such as "Sherry" by The Four Seasons. When Dennis Yost joined Wally (Walnut) Eaton's group they became The Classics. Dennis had been a member of the band "The Echoes". The name "The Classics" came from the "Classic" drum set Dennis Yost had. He was well known in the Georgia/Florida area, as the "stand up drummer". He said he played drums, sang lead, M-C d, and sometimes drank a beer at the same time! When Wally Eaton discovered Dennis could sing, The Classics recorded a Four Seasons sounding, regional hit called "Pollyanna", a song written by Joe South, with Dennis Yost singing lead. Shortly after they received a letter stating that another group had the name, "The Classics" and had a hit call "Till Then". Not wanting to change the name they added IV because there were only 4 members. Kim Venable was hired after the name change. The Classics IV members were Dennis Yost (vocals & drums), James B. Cobb, Jr. (guitars), Wally Eaton (Bass) and Joe Wilson (guitar & keys). During live shows, Yost would stand in the front of the stage and play drums while singing the lead vocals. Cobb and Wilson left the band and Wilson was 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.