Photo courtesy of Regi Hargis Facebook page
(October 15, 2021) One of the great developments in 1970s music was the creative merging of soul, funk and jazz into new flavors that resound to this day. And one of the great acts that move this music forward was Atlanta-based quintet Brick. And tonight we mourn the passing of Brick co-founder and guitarist Regi Hargis.
The members of Brick posted the following note this afternoon on their Facebook page:
It is with tremendous sadness that we confirm the passing of the founding member of the band BRICK family and a musical legend in our midst. Regi Hargis, one of the original members of the Band Brick, passed away 10-15-21 at his home in Atlanta. We have been honored and privileged to share the love of music, friends, travel, adversity and triumph with this kind spirit and musical dynamo.
(October 15, 2021) One of the great developments in 1970s music was the creative merging of soul, funk and jazz into new flavors that resound to this day. And one of the great acts that move this music forward was Atlanta-based quintet Brick. And tonight we mourn the passing of Brick co-founder and guitarist Regi Hargis.
The members of Brick posted the following note this afternoon on their Facebook page:
It is with tremendous sadness that we confirm the passing of the founding member of the band BRICK family and a musical legend in our midst. Regi Hargis, one of the original members of the Band Brick, passed away 10-15-21 at his home in Atlanta. We have been honored and privileged to share the love of music, friends, travel, adversity and triumph with this kind spirit and musical dynamo.
Regi has been instrumental in numerous hits since the inception of the group in 1976 and his passing as an artist and musical family member will forever be missed. We ask at this time for your prayers for his always supportive and loving family, and ask that you hold his family in prayer as they adjust to his loss and mourn his passing.
Regi Hargis will remain in the minds and hearts of the many that he has touched through sight, sound and spirit. REGI WE'LL MISS YOU!
Brick was formed in the ATL in the mid 70s as a combination of a jazz act and a local disco band. With that creative melding of styles in mind, they coined the term “Dazz,” meaning disco + jazz. It became the title of their coming out song (cowritten by Hargis), a chart-topping R&B and pop hit that became influential in both the late 70s music scene and later in the hip-hop world.
Brick took the “Dazz” formula one step further in 1977 with “Dusic” (Disco + Music), which also hit the top 5. The hits slowed down by the early 80s, but Brick continued to release new music through that decade, hitting the top 10 a couple more times with “Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody” and ”Sweat.”
Brick has continued as a touring act well into the 21st century, and continues to be a crowd favorite. We mourn with them the passing of this talented founding member.
By Chris Rizik
Thanks to SoulTracker Bill for letting us know.