RIP Dean Daughtry, 1946-2023 With Daughtry's passing, all members of the core ARS lineup are now gone. He was preceded in death by Ronnie Hammond, Barry Bailey, Paul Goddard, Buddie Buie, J.R. Cobb, and Robert Nix. Some members from the band's earlier incarnation (Rodney Justo, David Anderson, others) are still with us.
First band I ever saw live. His keyboard style was key to their sound and approach. Gave it that little nod toward jazz at times. Very sad. Mark
Damn what a shame. Grew up listening to ARS - they hit that sweet spot where Southern rock meets yacht rock. Hard to believe their classic lineup is all gone now. The sentiment expressed in this song (co-written by Dean Daughtry) has always been one that's close to my heart:
Saw them on the Champagne Jam tour. Great band. A Rock N Roll Alternative is one of the great southern rock albums. RIP.
I had no idea that Dean was the last of the core of this band to pass, RIP. What a great bunch of songs that these guys gave us. My personal favorite is "Dog Days", which featured a lot of Dean's great keyboard work, especially that excellent and unexpected ending ...
Good grief! I was just reading about the band, yesterday. Very sad news. Even sadder, the core band is gone.
So many of the people beloved on this forum are passing....I'm 65 so no kid...a lot of these people never had the instant or everlasting fame other artists had. Sure The Beatles struggled a little, Stones, Bob, Zep....but when they made it they made it big and have remained big, with millions socked away. Other artists came along but never made the big money, but made a living making many of us happy via records cds tapes and other mediums, but perhaps the most by seeing them live. ARS was a neat band; not huge but played good music and had some nice songs. I liked the hits, but I loved " Champagne Jam".....fine song!!!! RIP my friend; we still hear you and you are making us happy; you will make others happy as well in rock and roll heaven!!!!! Soar on!
I saw them twice between 76 -77 and those were really terrific fun evenings …. ARS could all rock and make very fine hits too. R I P Dean Daughtry…..
I never bought an Atlanta Rhythm Section album and only know them from radio hits in the 70s like So Into You, Champagne Jam, Imaginery Lover... songs I recall fondly but again, just never got the chance to get into them. I'm listening to the band's album "A Rock and Roll Alternative" (from 1976, before I starting paying attention to music) and am impressed with the musicianship, tasty guitar, funky chords, and the keyboards are key to the sound. RIP Dean. Sorry I never got the opportunity to hear you play live.
Great band. I got the boxed set a couple of years back. https://www.amazon.com/Polydor-Year...7&s=music&sprefix=Atlanta+,popular,255&sr=1-3