The truth about the CLASSICS IV

["Jeff Lemlich" <limeston@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you're looking for wyldness, you've come to the wrong band 'cause you're
not talking about a suburban U.S.A. high-school geek garage band, but guys
who latched on to the beach music scene and were able to make a good living
on the same circuit as bands such as the Swingin' Medallions, David & The
Giants, and Wilbur Walton & The James Gang.  Actually, there's little
difference between the later Medallions ('67 on), sound-wise, and the
Classics IV.  We think of them as a soft rock band, but some of the same
songs they cut are considered beach and/or Northern soul classics by other
artists who don't have that top 40 baggage associated with them.

The best pre-Classics IV record is probably Dennis Yost's first:
Ace 657   THE ECHOES - House Warming/Restless  (both sides R&B instrumentals
with prominent sax)
Dennis Yost was the drummer.
The 45 credits the Echoes as having written both sides, although "House
Warming" was later credited as a Mac Rebennack (Dr. John) composition when
Teisco Del Rey covered it on his "The Many Moods Of" album.

There is video in existence of the '66 version of the band (as simply The
Classics) doing their regional hit "Polyanna" on "Where The Action Is".
It's probably too Four Seasons-ish for most Bompers, but for me it brings
back memories of the good part of my childhood.  Their other Capitol single
featured one side (Nothing To Lose) that mixed beach music with the
Association's sound.  Definitely a southern U.S. thing.  It's the flip of
yet another 4 Seasons influenced side, this time updating Maurice Williams'
"Little Darlin'".  (Maurice Williams, of the Gladiolas and the Zodiacs, is a
beach music icon).

I think the bottom line is if you like beach ballads... then the Classics IV
weren't putrid.  If beach ballads drive you bonkers, then avoid 'em.

Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com


> And while we're bashing soft-rock icons, what is the deal with the
Classics
> IV (of "Spooky"/"Stormy"/"Traces" fame)? Did they have a frat-rock past?
Dig
> it, they had a NUGGETS-type name and look, a year or two after the whole
> garage thing had passed. I once heard an early, pre-hit 45 on Capitol, but
it
> was essentially the same old pop crap. Anyone on this site know if they
have
> any rockers in their closet?
>

I don't know, but they were from Florida, so Jeff Lemlich should be able to
tell us...>>