It’s been 55 years since the Atlanta Rhythm Section was formed, essentially to be the house band at Studio One, a then-yet-to-be-completed recording facility in a nondescript strip mall in Doraville, a town outside of Atlanta.
An interview with vocalist Rodney Justo, one of the founding members of ARS, was part of the Sept. 13 edition of Greasy Tracks which included a deep dive into the band’s catalog.
Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here.
ARS appears Sept. 19 at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook and Sept. 21 at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford.
Studio One and the formation of ARS was the brainchild of engineer Rodney Mills and songwriter/producer/music publisher Buddy Buie. The musicians he selected had roots with The Candymen, an Alabama-based group that had backed Roy Oribison and Florida outfits, The Classics IV and Noah’s Ark.
Justo, who did spells with The Candymen and Noah’s Ark, was one of those musicians tabbed by Buie for the new band. Buie had gained a reputation for his songwriting and production prowess, especially with the chart-friendly Classics IV.
Despite his admiration for Buie and tight kinship with his bandmates, Justo left ARS shortly after their self-titled debut was released in 1972, citing the financial strain due to lack of traction on the charts.
Justo suggested that ARS bring in vocalist Ronnie Hammond — who had been working as an engineering assistant at Studio One — as his replacement which the band did. Despite a number of critically well received albums, the band still wasn’t burning up the charts over the next few years, but that would eventually change.
The band would become FM staples thanks to a number of Top 10 singles, including “So Into You” from A Rock and Roll Alternative (1976) and “Imaginary Lover” from Champagne Jam (1978).
Justo made a number of returns to the band, the first in 1983 and another 25 years later. Since 2011, he’s been fronting ARS, his soulful vocals providing a connection to the band’s roots and signature sound.