United States 
Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie to Headline Project Harmony’s 30th Anniversary Gala
1 day ago
The Bar-Kays have established themselves as enduring figures in soul and funk music, transitioning from a notable studio session group to charting artists and mentors for new talent.
Beginning as a house band with Stax Records in Memphis in 1966, their potent, dynamic sound carried them to a chart-topping perch the very next year with their hit 'Soul Finger'.
The reformed Bar-Kays transitioned into a leading funk band during the 1970s, releasing albums and singles through Mercury Records.
The Bar-Kays, an American funk band, originated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1964. They began as a studio session group at Stax Records, providing backing for various artists. In 1967, their talent led to them being chosen as Otis Redding’s backing band, a role for which they received mentorship from Al Jackson, Jr., Booker T. Jones, and other members of Booker T. & the M.G.’s. Their first single, “Soul Finger,” released on April 14, 1967, achieved commercial success, reaching number 3 on the US Billboard R&B Singles chart and number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. This early period marked the band’s initial rise and association with prominent figures in soul music.
Tragedy struck on December 10, 1967, when Otis Redding and four members of the band—Jimmie King, Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones, and Carl Cunningham—died in an airplane crash. Trumpeter Ben Cauley was the sole survivor, and bassist James Alexander was on a different flight. Cauley and Alexander subsequently rebuilt the group. The re-formed band, which included new members such as Larry Dodson on lead vocals, continued as a Stax house band and backed major artists like Isaac Hayes on his album “Hot Buttered Soul.” As the Stax/Volt label faced closure in 1975, the group signed with Mercury Records, shifting their musical direction towards funk.
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, The Bar-Kays achieved significant success in funk music. They released numerous charting singles, including “Shake Your Rump to the Funk” (1976), “Move Your Boogie Body” (1979), “Hit and Run” (1981), “Freak Show on the Dance Floor” (1984), “Certified True” (1987), and “Struck by You” (1989). The band took a break in the late 1980s but regrouped in 1991, with James Alexander as the only original member. In 2013, the group was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, and in 2015, into the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. Their continued presence in the music industry includes releasing new music, such as the EP “Grown Folks” in 2012, which featured James Alexander’s son, Jazze Pha.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
