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The Bar-Kays

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Memphis, United States

The Bar-Kays were a popular Memphis, Tennessee, soul, R&B, and funk group performing from 1966 that continues in some form to perform today, although with only one original member. They began as a favorite soul studio sessions group backing major artists at Stax Records, chosen in 1967 by Otis Redding to play as his touring backup band.

On December 10, 1967, Redding, his manager, and band members Jimmy King (b.1949; guitar), Ronnie Caldwell (b. 1948; organ), Phalon Jones (b. 1949; saxophone), and Carl Cunningham (b. 1949; drums) died in a plane crash in Lake Monona while on their way to a performance in Madison, Wisconsin.

Trumpeter Ben Cauley survived the crash and bassist James Alexander (who missed the flight due to returning a rental car) rebuilt the group.

The reformed band consisted of Cauley; Alexander; Harvey Henderson, saxophone; Michael Toles, guitar; Ronnie Gorden, organ; Willie Hall, drums and later Larry Dodson, lead vocals.

The group backed dozens of major Stax artists on recordings afterwards, including on Isaac Hayes’ Hot Buttered Soul album, and changed direction in the 1970s to have a successful funk music career. Lloyd Smith joined the Bar-Kays in 1973. They continued to score hits on R&B charts well into the 1980s and lately have incorporated contemporary rap & remix elements into their continuing career and have performed all over the world.
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Top Albums

  • Soul Finger
    The Bar-Kays Play
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  • The Best Of The Bar-Kays
    The Bar-Kays Play
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  • The Best of Bar-Kays
    The Bar-Kays Play
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  • Money Talks
    The Bar-Kays Play
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Top Tracks

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  • ivairport

    Шикарная группа!!!!! Dance, dance, dance........

    March 2012

  • nyuudo

    White Afro OWNS!

    January 2012

  • Hormold

    SuperBad!

    July 2011

  • mugshot_tim

    music today is like everything else instant, no preparation or skill in writing needed. Machines with prerecorded instrumentals and some overrated slag like Lady Gargle getting more scrobbles than they truly deserve. These guys are way beyond that and deserve to be higher imho. Oh and: It's weird how if last.fm was around years ago, they would probably be one of the top artists, not Lady Gaga [3] I thoroughly endorse this shout..lol

    April 2011

  • Shasolace

    I'm shocked at their scrobble. I thought the numbers would be higher.

    April 2011

  • sjm26b

    It's weird how if last.fm was around years ago, they would probably be one of the top artists, not Lady Gaga [2]

    February 2011

  • KeithKokain

    It's weird how if last.fm was around years ago, they would probably be one of the top artists, not Lady Gaga haha

    February 2011

  • FakePlasticDick

    Good

    December 2010
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