Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) is an American Southern rock band from Doraville, Georgia. Formed in the summer of 1971, the group originally featured vocalist Rodney Justo, guitarist Barry Bailey, bassist Paul Goddard, keyboardist Dean Daughtry and drummer Robert Nix. The band's current lineup includes Daughtry alongside Justo (who most recently rejoined in 2011), guitarist Steve "Clean" Stone (since 1986), bassist Justin Senker (from 1992 to 2011, and since 2014), guitarist David Anderson (since 2007) and drummer Rodger Stephan (since 2016).
History
edit1971–1983
editARS was originally conceived by producer and songwriter Buddy Buie as the house band of Studio One, a recording studio in Doraville.[1] The group signed with Decca Records and began recording its own material in August 1971, before recording its self-titled debut album in November.[2] By the time the album was released in January 1972, James "J. R." Cobb had joined on rhythm guitar.[3] After touring for a few months, Justo left ARS to move to New York, dissatisfied with the album's reception.[4] He was replaced by Ronnie Hammond.[5] With its new lineup, the group released seven albums over the course of seven years – Back Up Against the Wall in 1973, Third Annual Pipe Dream in 1974, Dog Days in 1975, Red Tape and A Rock and Roll Alternative in 1976, Champagne Jam in 1978, and Underdog in 1979.[6]
The band's next lineup change came when Nix left the band in 1979, "right after Underdog", due to creative differences.[7] He was replaced by Roy Yeager, who had most recently toured with Lobo.[8] Are You Ready!, a collection of live and studio recordings, was released shortly after Yeager's arrival, although Nix claimed he performed on some of the album's tracks.[7] The Boys from Doraville and Quinella followed in 1980 and 1981.[6] The band recorded a new album in 1982, however due to "creative differences" with CBS Records it was unreleased; shortly thereafter, Yeager was replaced by Danny Biget.[9] The next January, Hammond also left to pursue a solo career.[10] Justo subsequently returned on a part-time basis.[11] At the end of 1983, founding member Goddard announced his departure from ARS.[12]
1984–2006
editIn early 1984, ARS was joined by new vocalist Andy Anderson, bassist Tommy Stribling and drummer Keith Hamrick.[13] Stribling was replaced by Steve Stone in early 1986.[14] By the beginning of 1987, the group had been joined by new vocalist Shaun Williamson, a returning Stribling in place of J. R. Cobb, and new drummer Sean Burke.[15] Around a year later, Ronnie Hammond returned, Brendan O'Brien replaced Stribling, and J.E. Garnett took over from Stone.[16] By the end of 1988, Stone had returned on guitar.[17] This lineup released Truth in a Structured Form in October 1989.[18]
Justin Senker replaced Garnett in 1992, and the new lineup issued Atlanta Rhythm Section '96 in 1996.[19] Ray "R.J." Vealey took over from Burke in 1995,[20] who debuted on the 1997 album of re-recorded material Partly Plugged.[21] This was followed two years later by Eufaula, the band's first album of new material in ten years.[22] During the subsequent tour, Vealey died suddenly of a heart attack on November 13, 1999, which was later deemed to be as the result of "chronic cocaine abuse".[23] He was replaced by Jim Keeling and the group returned to touring in early 2000.[19] In early 2001, Andy Anderson returned when Hammond joined the Voices of Classic Rock touring group.[19] The new lineup toured for five years but did not record, only releasing the 2005 live album Live at Stabler Arena.[24]
Since 2006
editIn early 2006, founding member Barry Bailey left Atlanta Rhythm Section, with Alan Accardi taking his place.[25] The following year, Accardi was replaced by David Anderson.[26] Andy Anderson was temporarily replaced for tour dates in the spring of 2008, after suffering a heart attack for which he required triple bypass surgery; a friend of his, Steve Croson, took over for a couple of shows,[27] followed later by former members Rodney Justo and Shaun Williamson.[28] In 2011, ARS released With All Due Respect which was dedicated to Ronnie Hammond, who died in March that year.[29]
Shortly after the release of With All Due Respect, founding members Justo and Paul Goddard (both of whom made guest appearances on the album) rejoined the group for the first time since 1983.[14] The band continued touring until April 2014, when Goddard died of cancer.[30] Justin Senker returned to take his place later in the year.[31] Rodger Stephan replaced Jim Keeling in 2016.[32] At the beginning of 2020, Lee Shealy replaced the band's last constant member, Dean Daughtry, who retired in December 2019.[33]
Members
editCurrent
edit| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodney Justo |
|
lead and backing vocals |
| |
| Steve "Clean" Stone |
|
|
all Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) releases since Truth in a Structured Form (1989) (except Live at the Savoy, New York) | |
| Justin Senker |
|
bass | all ARS releases since Atlanta Rhythm Section '96 (1996) (except Live at the Savoy, New York) | |
| David Anderson | 2007–present |
|
all ARS releases since Anthology: Greatest & Latest (2007) | |
| Rodger Stephan | 2016–present |
|
none to date | |
| Lee Shealy | 2020–present (touring substitute 2017–2019) |
|
Former
edit| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Daughtry | 1971–2019 (died 2023) |
|
all ARS releases | |
| Barry Bailey | 1971–2006 (died 2022) | lead guitar | all ARS releases from Atlanta Rhythm Section (1972) to Live at Stabler Arena (2005) | |
| Paul Goddard |
|
bass |
| |
| Robert Nix | 1971–1979 (died 2012) |
|
all ARS releases from Atlanta Rhythm Section (1972) to Are You Ready! (1979) – uncredited on Are You Ready! | |
| James "J. R." Cobb | 1972–1986 (died 2019) |
|
| |
| Ronnie Hammond |
|
|
| |
| Roy Yeager | 1979–1982 |
|
| |
| Danny Biget | 1982–1983 | none | ||
| Tommy Stribling |
|
| ||
| Keith Hamrick | 1984–1986 |
| ||
| Andy Anderson |
|
lead and backing vocals | all ARS releases from Live at Stabler Arena (2005) to With All Due Respect (2011) | |
| Jeff Logan | 1985 | none | ||
| Sean Burke | 1987–1995 |
|
| |
| Shaun Williamson |
|
lead and backing vocals | none | |
| J. E. Garnett | 1988–1992 | bass | Truth in a Structured Form (1989) | |
| Brendan O'Brien | 1988 |
| ||
| "R. J." Vealey | 1995–1999 (until his death) |
|
| |
| Jim Keeling | 1999–2016 | all ARS releases from Live at Stabler Arena (2005) to With All Due Respect (2011) | ||
| Alan Accardi | 2006–2007 |
|
Anthology: Greatest & Latest (2007) – two live tracks only | |
| Steve Croson | 2008 (substitute only) | lead vocals | none |
Timeline
edit
Lineups
edit| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 1971 – January 1972 |
|
|
| January – summer 1972 |
|
none |
| Summer 1972 – summer 1979 |
|
|
| Summer 1979 – summer 1982 |
|
|
| Summer 1982 – January 1983 |
|
none |
| January – December 1983 |
| |
| Early 1984 – 1985 |
| |
| 1985 |
| |
| 1985 – early 1986 |
| |
| Early – late 1986 |
| |
| Early 1987 – early 1988 |
| |
| Early – late 1988 |
| |
| Late 1988 – 1992 |
|
|
| 1992–1995 |
|
|
| 1995 – November 1999 |
|
|
| November 1999 – early 2001 |
|
none |
| Early 2001 – early 2006 |
|
|
| Early 2006 – spring 2007 |
|
|
| Spring 2007 – summer 2011 |
|
|
| Summer 2011 – April 2014 |
|
none |
| Summer 2014 – early 2016 |
| |
| Early 2016 – December 2019 |
| |
| January 2020 – present |
|
References
edit- ^ "Atlanta Rhythm Section Background and History: 1970–1972 – ARS is Formed and Starts Recording". Atlanta Rhythm Section. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Atlanta Rhythm Section". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Album Picks" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 26, no. 1283. New York City, New York: Record World. January 11, 1972. p. 24. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Ruggiero, Bob (September 24, 2015). "Rodney Justo, Atlanta Rhythm Section's First Singer, Signs On For Another Tour". Houston Press. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Barry, Lee (October 14, 1972). "Atlanta/Macon" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 27, no. 1321. New York City, New York: Record World. p. 24. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Prato, Greg. "Atlanta Rhythm Section: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Brunot, Luc. "Robert Nix's Interview". Sweet Home Music. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Ianello, Joseph (October 27, 1979). "ARS: From the Studio to Superstardom" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 36, no. 1684. New York City, New York: Record World. p. 19 of Section II. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Atlanta Rhythm Section Background and History: 1983–1995 "Down Time" and a New Record". Atlanta Rhythm Section. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Kozak, Roman (January 15, 1983). "Box Tops Alumni Open Club" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 95, no. 2. New York City, New York: Billboard. p. 27. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Where Are They Now? – Rodney Justo". Tedd Webb. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Cooper, Mike. "More Rock Almanac" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 257. Medford Lakes, New Jersey: The Hard Report. p. 92. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "ARS to rock E-RAU Octoberfest on 20th" (PDF). The Avion Newspaper. Vol. 48, no. 6. Daytona Beach, Florida: Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. October 17, 1984. p. 5. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Brunot, Luc. "Steve Stone Interview (ARS)". Sweet Home Music. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Goin' With The Wind". Los Angeles Times. July 17, 1988. p. 468. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Notes N' Notions". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. March 4, 1988. p. 88. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Lannert, John (June 30, 1989). "Atlanta Rhythm Section sings new tune after hiatus". The Palm Beach Post. p. 182. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Griggs, Tim. "Truth in a Structured Form - Atlanta Rhythm Section: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Atlanta Rhythm Section Background and History: 1996–Present – Changes and More Classic Tunes". Atlanta Rhythm Section. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Moore, Roger (November 16, 1999). "Drummer Played Until The End". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Partly Plugged - Atlanta Rhythm Section: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Donkers, Chuck. "Eufaula - Atlanta Rhythm Section: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Curtis, Henry Pierson; Johnson, Pamela J. (January 21, 2000). "Drug Abuse Led To Death Of Drummer". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "The Atlanta Rhythm Section - Live at Stabler Arena". Atlanta Rhythm Section. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ LaRose, Michelle (June 2006). "An interview with Andy Anderson and Dean Daughtry". Road to Jacksonville. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Smith, Amanda. "Cox Capitol Theater Hosts Jammin' Atlanta Rhythm Section Concert". Georgia Informer. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "March 2008 News" (in French). Road to Jacksonville. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Escott, Colin (October 6, 2017). "Rodney Justo of Atlanta Rhythm Section Talks About Cruises, Roy Orbison... And Much More". Southern Rock Cruise. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ VandeKerkhoff, Pam (August 29, 2011). "Atlanta Rhythm Section: With All Due Respect". WYCE. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (May 1, 2014). "Paul Goddard, Bass Player With Atlanta Rhythm Section, Dies at 68". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Atlanta Rhythm Section to perform at Harvester". The Franklin News-Post. September 25, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Mitchell, Kathy (December 7, 2016). "Atlanta Rhythm Section–started in DeKalb–still rocking after 45 years". The Champion. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Rome musician Lee Shealy joins legendary Atlanta Rhythm Section. 'We all get along great. It's just neat to listen to all their stories from years together.'". Hometown Headlines. June 29, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2021.