Dean Daughtry, the musician who co-founded Atlanta Rhythm Section and played keyboard in the Southern rock band, has died at the age of 76.
The announcement of Daughtry’s passing was made by the group in a heartfelt statement on Facebook, who “never missed a gig” for 49 years before retiring due to health.
“We are saddened to announce today the passing of our long-time and original member Dean “OX” Daughtry,” they wrote.
Dean was also a member of The Candymen, once Roy Orbison’s touring band. At the age of 20 he went from being a local band in Alabama to playing in Australia and Europe.
“After a brief hiatus in The Classics IV, he decided to dedicate his future to a band formed by Buddy Buie that would be called The Atlanta Rhythm Section.”
The band explained that while they were known as a ‘guitar centric band’, the ‘contribution Dean brought to the band’ on the keyboards is unmissable when listening to the recordings of their music.
“From the first chord of So Into You and the introduction to Imaginary Lover (both co-written by Dean, by the way) he made his mark on the tape recordings,” they stated.
“For 49 years, he never missed a gig, until health forced him to retire a few years ago, falling short of his 50-year goal.”
Daughtry was nicknamed “OX” by his friends, despite being “like a Bulldog,” they said.
They concluded: ‘Our thoughts go out to his wife Donna and his family. We’re going to miss you, old friend!’
So in to You became Atlanta Rhythm Section’s biggest 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 reaching number two on the pop singles chart in Canada.
Daughtry was the only consistent member of the band from its inception until 2020 when he retired.
Several fans of the Atlanta Rhythm Section paid tribute to Daughtry under the Facebook post, with one writing, “A very good brother. Millions will miss you.’
“Heartbreaking to realize they are all gone. RIP dear friend,” said another, as another commented, ““Ox” was a good friend. We will miss him and his game enormously.’
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