Barry Bailey

Barry Bailey was a guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of the Southern Rock band, Atlanta Rhythm Section. The Atlanta Rhythm Section, or ARS, was formed in Doraville, Georgia in 1970 by Barry Bailey, Paul Goddard. Rodney Justo, Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix, and J.R. Cobb (James R. Cobb, Jr.)

Barry Bailey and bassist, Paul Goddard, had played together in several groups and had also backed up Roy Orbison, while Justo, Daughtry, Nix, and Cobb were the session band for the newly opened Studio One recording studio in Doraville. After playing on several other artist’s recordings, they decided it was time to make their own album and joined forces with Bailey and Goddard.

The band went on to achieve commercial success with songs such as their first hit, “Doraville”, which peaked at #35. Other ARS hits include 1977’s, ‘So in to You’, and 1978’s, ‘Imaginary Lover’ which both peaked at #7 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart.

ARS founder and guitarist Barry Bailey died in his sleep on March 13, 2022, at the age of 73, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.

Atlanta Rhythm Section - Wikipedia

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Wikipedia

Atlanta Rhythm Section (or ARS) is an American Southern rock band formed in 1970 by Rodney Justo (singer), Barry Bailey (guitar), Paul Goddard (bass), Dean Daughtry (keyboards), Robert Nix (drums) and J. R. Cobb (guitar). The band's current lineup consists of Justo, along with guitarists David Anderson and Steve Stone, keyboardist Lee Shealy, bassist Justin Senker and drummer Rodger Stephan.