R.I.P. Dean Daughtry

[Willie G. Moseley]

Keyboard player for the Candymen, a brief incarnation of the Classics IV, and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. 

To this day there are music fans who will insist that the Candymen were the most professional and tightest band they ever saw and heard. This pic is from a high school yearbook; shows them playing at a school dance in 1968.  Dig Daughtry's attire---Indian-style shirt (w/ a Nehru collar? I can't tell) and sandals. That's his usual array of a Wurlitzer electric piano and a Farfisa Combo Compact, from which he would craft unearthly sounds. His amp was a Fender Super Reverb.

Players were Daughtry on keyboards, Robert Nix on Drums John Rainey Adkins on guitar, Bill Gilmore on bass, and Rodney Justo on vocals. 

Daughtry was an original ARS member, and stayed with with ARS for decades until he retired a while back. 

[Steve Haynie]

I got to see Dean a few times with ARS. 

[Hamerica]

I missed the news story on when this occurred as well as this post.   This past Sunday, my wife was watching "CBS Sunday Morning"  while I was doing some computer work upstairs.   At some point I heard the  Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) playing in the background and I asked my wife if they were doing a musical story about ARS.  My wife replied no, it was on the memorial portion of the show, someone passed away during the past week.

The HFC is one of those groups where you meet individuals where you rediscover something.  Alpep a  former member here reintroduce me to ARS, (thank you).   There are lots of bands I seem to enjoy more than just the greatest hits and  ARS has become one of those.  ARS represents one of many bands where the original lineup is now playing on stage with Jimi, SRV and many, many others. 

So to Mr. Daughtrys' family, friends and fans,  my thoughts, and condolences go out to you.   To Dean, thank you sir, for the music.   I'll have to listen to ARS this evening.  

Hamerica

[Jakeboy]

It was always so easy to focus on the two guitarists, but Daughtry’s keyboard work in ARS added an element to the musical stew that set them apart. His playing was interesting and grabbed my attention. RIP.