The Bar-Kays began their career in the mid-60s as the house band for Stax Records. They backed many of Stax artists most notably Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes.
Career
On December 10, 1967, four members of The Bar-Kays, Jimmy King, Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones and Carl Cunningham were killed in a plane crash along with Otis Redding and Redding's tour manager. The Bar-Kays had been touring with Redding as his backing band.
After the crash Ben Cauley and James Alexander reformed the band with Harvey Henderson, Michael Toles, Ronnie Gorden and Willie Hall. They were later joined by vocalist Larry Dodson.
Some of their best known songs include "Soul Finger", "Son of Shaft" and the 1984 hit "Freakshow On The Dance Floor".
Original Members
- Jimmy King - Guitar
- Ronnie Caldwell - Organ
- Phalon Jones - Saxophone
- Carl Cunningham - Drums
- Ben Cauley - Trumpett
- James Alexander - Bass Guitar
Notable Recordings
References
Fast Facts
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Genres
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Origin
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Formed
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Albums
17
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Labels
Stax Records, Mercury Records
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Fact:
Appeared in the 1973 documentary Wattstax
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Fact:
