Died On This Date (December 7, 2008) Dennis Yost / Lead Singer Of Classics IV
themusicsover Dennis Yost
July 20, 1943 – December 7, 2008
Dennis Yost was the original lead singer and drummer for the ’60s pop band, Classics IV. Formed as a cover band in 1961, the group eventually added the vocals of Yost to the mix. They are best remembered for their 1968 hits, “Spooky” and ‘Stormy.” Those, plus 1969’s “Traces” all cracked the top 5 on the Billboard singles chart. Their songs have been covered by the likes of the Supremes, Daniel Ash, Dusty Springfield, Lydia Lunch, Imogen Heap, Santana and John Legend. Yost continued to front the band, although with different line-ups, for the better part of the next thirty years. As the band was about to mount a 40th anniversary album and tour in 2006, Yost took a fall down the stairs in his home. He suffered serious brain injuries that ultimately precluded him from performing again. On December 7, 2008, Dennis Yost, age 65, died of respiratory failure.
What You Should Own
Darby Crash is best remembered as founder and lead singer for influential Los Angeles punk band, the Germs. Formed in 1977, the Germs were part of the same scene that produced X, Fear, the Circle Jerks and Black Flag. In 1977, they released a single, “Forming,” which is regarded by many to be the first punk record to come out of Los Angeles. The Germs disbanded in 1980, with Crash going on to form the Darby Crash Band, that didn’t last much longer than a handful of gigs. He got the Germs back together for a reunion show on December 3, 1980. Four days later he took his own life by overdosing on heroin in an apparent suicide pact with friend, Casey Cola who actually survived the OD. In 1981, Crash and the band were featured prominently in Penelope Spheeris’ acclaimed documentary on the L.A. punk scene, The Decline of Western Civilization.
Dee Clark was a soul singer who started his professional career in 1952. Over the next few years, he sang in a handful of groups until he went off on his own in 1957. By 1961, he had released a couple of top 20 hits but then went to the next level with the single, “Raindrops,” which went all the way to #2 on the pop charts and #3 on the R&B charts. The record sold over 2 million copies and has been covered by Tony Orlando and David Cassidy. It still receives regular airplay on oldies stations around the U.S. Clark was barely surviving financially by the late ’80s, performing in oldies shows whenever possible. He suffered a stroke in 1987, but still performed despite the fact he was partially paralyzed and had acquired a speech impediment. On December 7, 1990, Dee Clark suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 52 when he died.
Adrian Bromley was a popular Canadian journalist who covered its metal scene for such outlets as M.E.A.T, Chart and Unrestrained! magazines. He also penned columns and reviews for online sites. Recently, he was working in the publicity department for The End Records, but then left in early 2008 to work PR independently. Adrian Bromley, age 37, died of pneumonia on December 7, 2008.