Atlanta Rhythm Section co-founder dies at 76

Dean Daughtry was the keyboardist and a founding member of the southern rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section.

Atlanta Rhythm Section

Before forming Atlanta Rhythm Section, Daughtry had been a member of the Candymen, who had singles including “Georgia Pines” and “Ways.” The Candymen were a backing band for Roy Orbison (1936–1988). In 1970, three of the Candymen joined with other musicians as a session band for the Georgia recording studio Studio One. This group morphed into the Atlanta Rhythm Section. They released albums steadily throughout the 1970s and had a taste of success with their 1974 song “Doraville,” a Top 40 single. Daughtry co-wrote the band’s two biggest hits, 1977’s “So into You” and 1978’s “Imaginary Lover.” Both reached No. 7 on the Billboard chart. Atlanta Rhythm Section went through many personnel changes over the years, but Daughtry remained with the band until his retirement in 2020. He was the only original member to stay with the band throughout the decades.

Daughtry on “So into You”

“Me and Robert Nix, our original drummer who passed away a few years ago, were jamming on (the B.B. King song) ‘The Thrill Is Gone,’ and that kind of led into ‘So Into You.’ They’ve both got those minor-key melodies.” –from a 2012 interview for AL.com

 

Tributes to Dean Daughtry

 

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