Dave Rowland of Dave & Sugar, known as ABBA of Country Music, dead at 74
Rowland was part of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet (who was touring with Elvis Presley at the time), and later the Four Guys, before forming ‘Dave & Sugar’
Dave Rowland, the founder and lead singer of the country pop band ‘Dave & Sugar’ has died. The singer reportedly died of “complications from a stroke” in Nashville on Thursday, November 1. Born January 26, 1944, Rowland was part of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet (who was touring with Elvis Presley at the time), and later the Four Guys, before founding Dave & Sugar.
The Stamps Quartet was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1988. He also was a prominent member of Country Music Hall of Fame member Charley Pride's road show. By 1975, with Pride looking for a backup band, Rowland hired Jackie Frantz and Vicki Hackeman, and Dave & Sugar was formed.