Robert Nix grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Paxon Senior High School in 1962.



He named Joe Morrelo (Dave Brubeck Quartet), Hal Blaine, Cozy Cole, Buddy Rich as influences.



Robert Nix began his professional career in Roy Orbison's backing group The Candymen.



Robert Nix co-founded Atlanta Rhythm Section in 1970 and stayed with the band until 1979, recording nine albums with the group.



He was close friends with Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd since childhood. That's how he ended up drumming on Tuesday's Gone, the second track on Lynyrd Skynyrd's first album '( pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd)'. Robert also played drums on records with Paul Davis, Ike and Tina Turner, and on several projects with Al Kooper.



After leaving Atlanta Rhythm Section, Robert worked with Alison Heafner, Billy Joe Royal, B.J. Thomas, Dennis Yost, Joe South, Al green, and Ronnie Van Zant.



The last years of his life Robert Nix suffered from diabetes. He died on May 20, 2012 in Memphis, Tennessee.