Spooky

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Spooky" by Atlanta Rhythm Section from their 1979 album Underdog. This track is a re-recording of a 1968 hit by Classics IV, a band that included future Atlanta Rhythm Section members James B. Cobb Jr. and Dean Daughtry. The original instrumental, penned by saxophonist Mike Sharpe and Harry Middlebrooks Jr., was transformed with lyrics by Cobb and producer Buddy Buie, creating a tale of a mysterious, captivating woman. The song’s eerie whistling effect, evoking that "spooky little girl," has made it a Halloween staple. Atlanta Rhythm Section’s version, released as a single on August 11, 1979, climbed to No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their final Top 20 hit in the U.S. Fun fact: the song’s smooth, Southern rock vibe was a nod to their roots, but drummer Robert Nix pushed for a harder rock sound, leading to tensions that saw him leave the band shortly after Underdog’s release.

The song’s legacy extends beyond Atlanta Rhythm Section. Spooky has been covered by artists like Dusty Springfield, who flipped the gender to sing about a "spooky little boy" in 1968, and Lydia Lunch, whose 1980 version appeared on her album Queen of Siam. A 2024 Latin jazz rendition by the Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band, featuring Janis Siegel, brought a cha-cha and son montuno flair to the track, earning a Grammy nomination. Fans on Atlanta Rhythm Section’s Facebook often share memories of dancing to "Spooky" at concerts, with one post recalling a 1979 live show where the band extended the song’s intro with a hypnotic guitar riff. The band’s X account has retweeted fan covers, including a recent acoustic version by a Zoo Freak, showing the song’s enduring appeal.

Atlanta Rhythm Section began in 1970 in Doraville, Georgia, as a group of session musicians at Studio One, a recording hub owned by Buddy Buie. The original lineup—Rodney Justo (vocals), Barry Bailey (guitar), Paul Goddard (bass), Dean Daughtry (keyboards), Robert Nix (drums), and J.R. Cobb (guitar)—had roots in two earlier bands, the Candymen and Classics IV. Buie, a producer and songwriter, assembled the group to back artists like Roy Orbison before encouraging them to form a band. Signed to Decca Records, they released their debut album, Atlanta Rhythm Section, in 1972. After Justo left, Ronnie Hammond joined as lead singer, shaping their signature mellow Southern rock sound. Their breakthrough came with 1977’s "So Into You" and 1978’s platinum album Champagne Jam, cementing their place in the genre alongside Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers.

Today, the band continues to tour with a lineup featuring returning member Rodney Justo, alongside David Anderson (guitar), Steve Stone (guitar), Lee Shealy (keyboards), Justin Senker (bass), and Rodger Stephan (drums). You can catch updates on their official website or follow them on Instagram for behind-the-scenes tour photos. Fans connect on the Atlanta Rhythm Section Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks swap vinyl finds and concert stories. For more Southern rock vibes, check out fan sites like SouthernRock.com, which celebrates Atlanta Rhythm Section’s legacy. So, crank up "Spooky," and let the Zoo Crew keep the grooves flowing!