Classics IV: Mary, Mary Row Your Boat

Formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1965, The Classics were like many of the bands springing up in the US following the 1964 birth of the British Invasion. Taking their name from the Classic brand of drums used by Dennis Yost, the band was primarily a cover band that played instrumentals. Eventually they put Yost up front and hired a touring drummer.

When they finally were signed to Capitol Records for a one single deal, the band had to alter their name as another band was named The Classics. Under Yost’s suggestion, they dropped the article “The” and added the Roman numeral IV to represent the current number of band members. When the band returned to a lineup of five members they were touted as the Classics IV featuring Dennis Yost. Eventually, they became Dennis Yost and the Classics IV.

In 1969, the band released the third of its five Top 40 hits “Traces,” which eventually peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its flip, “Mary, Mary Row Your Boat” was composed by producer Buddy Buie and guitarist J.R. Cobb and is our Friday Flipside for today.