The BioFile: Rodney Justo of Atlanta Rhythm Section

Rodney Justo is a vocalist and drummer for the Atlanta Rhythm Section. The legendary band known for such hits as So Into You, Spooky, and Imaginary Lover will play the Anna Maria Island Center on Feb. 14 in a show that has been sold out for weeks. 

DOB: February 8, 1945  In: New York, NY

First Music Memory:  Wow. Let me think about that... I sang a song to my parents and they were laughing. I said, "What's so funny?" "The way you sang it." It was a hit record song at the time. "I love you truly and Let me call you sweetheart." I was under seven.

Last Book Read: Henry Paul's book about The Outlaws.

First Famous Person You Met or Encountered: I grew up in north Tampa. I was very young. I can remember near the high school, I met Billy Pierce, a baseball player for the Chicago White Sox (and Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants). I was 11 or 12. The first famous musician was Elvis in 1956, my first ever concert at the Tampa Armory. My mom (Ena) warned me to be careful if all the girls swarmed the stage. I didn't know there was a hysteria. Don't Be Cruel was his new record.

Childhood Dream(s):  President of the United States [laughs]. When I was young, I thought I wanted to be famous. Then it disappeared. I wanted to be a drummer, I wanted to be in a band. There were very few bands back then. I loved being in a band. 

Greatest Career Moment:  There's so many...the best time was in Roy Orbison's band, we were playing Steve Paul's The Scene, we took New York by storm. The first guy I met when I came off stage was Al Kooper (songwriter, record producer, musician) with the Blues Project. He asked, "How long are you here?" "Ten days." He said, "You're gonna see how the underground works. You'll be the most popular band in New York in a week."  The New York Times did an article with our picture. We didn't think it was a big deal to be in The New York Times. People came up to us, "That was a nice article..."

Most Painful Moment:  I'd just got married, and I got vocal nodules. I couldn't speak for two months. The band had gigs. I thought: What will I do without my vocal chords? I got sick, overworked. That was a rough period.

Most Memorable Performances:  We did a lot of cool things... Grand Old Opry. The most fun was touring with Roy Orbison with Small Faces. Not a very good band, but the most exciting band with great energy. The fans just loved them. They would get attacked in their car.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:  Chocolate mint [laughs].

Favorite Artists:  The old Ray Charles.

Funny Career Memory:  The last night of the tour with Roy Orbison. Everybody does a practical joke on the headliner. We tuned up Roy's guitar half a step. So when he started the first song, it took him one note to realize what we did, he turned around and looked at us. And he still performed great. Such a sweet guy, so nice. He used to tell corny jokes on stage... "I flew in, and my arms are tired. I had a frog in my throat, the best meal all week." Somewhere in Atlanta, we played before he came on, and I told all his jokes [smiles].   

People Qualities Most Admired:  Honesty. I think we're all good people; the only thing that separates us is a difference of opinion. After a hurricane, you see the person you disagree with out there helping people. All people are good. My favorite part of a show is after, meeting and talking with people. 

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