Entertainment
Dean Daughtry, co-founder of band Atlanta Rhythm Section and co-writer of hit So in to You, dies aged 76-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
The musician, nicknamed ‘OX’, played the keyboard in the band.
The musician, nicknamed ‘OX’, played the keyboard in the band (Picture: John Atashian/Getty Images).
Dean Daughtry, the musician who co-founded Atlanta Rhythm Section and played the keyboard in the Southern rock band, has died at the age of 76.
The announcement of Daughtry’s death was made by the group in a heartfelt statement on Facebook, who ‘never missed a gig’ for 49 years, before he retired on account fo his health.
‘We’re sad today to announce the passing of our long time, and original member Dean “OX” Daughtry,’ they wrote.
‘Dean was also a member of The Candymen, that were at one time the touring band for Roy Orbison. At 20 years of age, he went from being in a local band in Alabama, to playing in Australia and Europe.
‘After a short stop in The Classics IV, he decided to throw his future in to a band being formed by Buddy Buie that was going to be named The Atlanta Rhythm Section.’
The band explained that while they were known as a ‘guitar centric band’, the ‘contribution that Dean brought to the band’ on the keyboards cannot be missed when listening to the recordings of their music.
Atlanta Rhythm Section was first formed in 1970 by Rodney Justo (singer), Barry Bailey (guitar), Paul Goddard (bass), Dean Daughtry (keyboards), Robert Nix (drums) and J. R. Cobb (guitar) (Picture: Michael Putland/Getty Images)
‘From the first chord of So Into You, and the introduction to Imaginary Lover (both co-written by Dean by the way) he left his imprint on the bands recordings,’ they stated.
‘For 49 years he never missed a gig, until his health forced him to retire a couple of years ago, cutting short his goal of 50 years.’
Daughtry was nicknamed ‘OX’ by his friends, despite being ‘like a Bulldog’, they said.
Tributes have poured in for Daughtry (Picture: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
They concluded: ‘Our hearts go out to his wife Donna, and his family. We’re gonna’ miss you, Ol’ Buddy !’
So in to You became Atlanta Rhythm Section’s greatest hit when it was released in 1977 as part of their sixth studio LP, A Rock and Roll Alternative.
It spent three weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at number seven, while it reached number two on the pop singles chart in Canada.
Several of Atlanta Rhythm Section’s fans paid tribute to Daughtry underneath the Facebook post, with one writing: ‘A very close brother . You will be missed by Millions.’
‘Heartbreaking to realize that they are all gone. RIP dear friend,’ someone else stated, while another commented: ‘“Ox” was a good friend. We will miss him and his playing so much.’
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