Dean Daughtry played keyboards in the band’s Classics IV and The Candymen, the latter of which had hits in 1967 and 1968 with “Georgia Pines” and “Ways,” respectively, and frequently served as Roy Orbison’s backing band, before founding ARS in 1971, where he remained the group’s lone constant member until retiring in 2020.
In the Doraville neighborhood of Atlanta, Daughtry, fellow Candymen comrades Rodney Justo, Barry Bailey, and Robert Nix, as well as ex-Classics IV member J.R. Cobb Jr., formed ARS with journeyman bassist Paul Goddard.
Dean Daughtry’s cause of death: How did Dean Daughtry die?
Atlanta Rhythm Section’s keyboardist and co-founder Dean Daughtry passed away. He was 76.
The musician’s passing was verified by the band’s guitarist, Steve Stone, who stated that Daughtry, an Alabama native from Kinston, passed away on Thursday in Huntsville from natural causes.
Starting with their self-titled 1972 debut, the band had trouble charting with its original run of albums.
Not until 1977’s “A Rock and Roll Alternative,” the band’s sixth album, did “So Into You,” which is distinguished by its throbbing opening chords, become ARS’ first smash single. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song rose to the top 10.
