Dennis Yost
Dennis Yost | |
---|---|
Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
Died | December 7, 2008 Hamilton, Ohio, U.S. | (aged 65)
Genres | Soft rock, southern rock, blue-eyed soul |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Years active | 1955–2005 |
Labels | Robox Records |
Dennis Yost (July 20, 1943 – December 7, 2008) was an American singer and the frontman of Classics IV.[1][2]
Early years
Dennis Yost was born on July 20, 1943, in
Classics IV
In 1965, after the Echoes broke up, Yost joined Leroy and the Monarchs, a copy band founded by Walter Eaton. James "J.R." Cobb also came on board on guitar along with Joe Wilson on keyboards. The band would soon change its name to The Classics. Yost took over vocals duties due to the strength and quality of his voice. When singing he would play his drums standing up.[4]
The group was discovered performing at the Purple Porpoise in
The group released its debut single, "Pollyanna", written by Lowery songwriter Joe South. Despite being a regional hit, the group received complaints from a New York-based group with the same name, prompting them to add the "IV" to the name since there were four members at that time.[5]
In 1967, The group landed a deal with Imperial Records. Throughout the next few years, the group released four albums and a slew of Top 40 hits, including "Spooky", "Stormy", and "Traces".
By 1970, as Yost was the remaining original member in the group, it changed its name again to Dennis Yost and the Classics IV. After Imperial was absorbed into United Artists Records, the group signed with MGM South. The band's subsequent releases were less successful, despite their final Top 40 hit "What Am I Crying For", which peaked at No. 39 in 1972. By this time, the partnership between Cochran and Buie ended.[4]
Later years
In 1975, Yost disbanded the group and returned to Florida to pursue fishing and the flooring business. A couple of years later, Yost returned to performing under the Holiday Inn circuit, this time solely under his own name or The Classic One---by this time, he had lost the rights to the Classics IV name.[4]
In 1981, Yost released Going Through the Motions on Robox Records. Its single with the same name was a minor hit, peaking at No. 46 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
In 1993, Yost moved to
In 2001, Yost underwent successful throat surgery for a condition that had severely impaired his singing voice, bringing him back to touring under the Classics IV name. A few years prior, he had regained the rights to the Classics IV name with the help of former Sha Na Na vocalist Jon "Bowser" Bauman through the group Truth in Music Advertising.[6]
Accident and death
On July 11, 2006, Yost fell down a flight of stairs and suffered serious brain trauma. To assist Yost and his wife with their medical bills, a benefit concert was held on March 25, 2007, at Rhino's Live in
On December 7, 2008, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the entrance of "Stormy" into the Hot 100's Top 10, Yost died from respiratory failure at the age of 65. He is survived by his wife Linda Vecchio and five children.[6]
Discography
Albums
Year | Album |
---|---|
1980 | Stormy |
1981 | Going Through the Motions |
1983 | Traces of the Past |
Singles
Year | Title | Chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US AC [8] | |||||
1980 | "Lover in My Mind" | - | |||
1981 | "Going Through the Motions" | 46 |
References
- ^ a b "Dennis Yost". The Bluegrass Special. January 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- ^ a b Cornwell, Lisa (December 9, 2008). "Dennis Yost led The Classics IV of '60s". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- New York Times. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- ^ ISBN 9780865545045. Retrieved January 21, 2021 – via Google Books.
- ISBN 9781467138727. Retrieved January 21, 2021 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Classics IV singer Dennis Yost dies at 65". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 9, 2008. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- ^ Kurtzman, Lori (March 26, 2007). "Benefit Helps Injured Signer from Classics IV". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- ^ "Dennis Yost". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
External links
- Dennis Yost discography at Discogs