Bar-Kays

The Bar-Kays were a popular Memphis, Tennessee, soul, R&B, and funk group performing from 1966 until they disbanded in 1988. 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 backup band.

On December 10, 1967, Redding, his manager, and four of the Bar-Kays died in a plane crash in Lake Monona while on their way to a performance in Madison, Wisconsin. Trumpeter Ben Cauley and bassist James Alexander survived and rebuilt the group. 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. They continued to score hits on R&B charts well into the 1980s.

Reference

Huey, Steve. "Bar-Kays biography." All Music Guide. Accessed Apr. 25, 2005.