Guitarist Barry Bailey Of Atlanta Rhythm Section Passed Away At 73

Barry Bailey, best-known as the guitarist in southern rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section, has passed away at the age of 73.

The musician died “in his sleep Saturday night (March 12) after years of struggling with multiple sclerosis,” reported by Atlanta-based TV station WXIA-TV.

In 1970, Atlanta Rhythm Second officially became a band. They were originally the house band at Studio One recording studio in Doraville, Ga. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1972, it was the first to their 13 studio LPs that would be released across their five-decade career.

Throughout the years, the band reached several Top 20 hits, including “So in to You,” “I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight,” “Imaginary Lover,” “Do It or Die,” and “Spooky.”

Bailey was the group’s founding guitarist. He played on every album until his retirement in 2006, in which they had their most success with their 1978’s platinum-selling Champagne Jam.

Over the years, Atlanta Rhythm Section shared the stage with a long list of rock legends, including the Who, the Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Foreigner, Heart, Cheap Trick and Aerosmith.

A message posted to Atlanta Rhythm Section’s official Facebook page honored Bailey’s memory read:

“Unsung. You heard that a lot when people would talk about Barry Bailey’s guitar playing. That meant that not enough people were aware of his work.

“UNSUNG my ass… ..if you heard him, you sang his praises. Barry, you may have been unsung… but you made others sing. Speaking for all of the original, former, and existing members of ARS… Thanks for setting the bar so high.”