The Bar-Kays Perish In Plane Crash with Otis Redding Original 1967 Press Photo

The Bar-Kays were one of the most influential soul and funk bands to emerge from Memphis and Stax Records. Formed in 1966, they scored an early hit with "Soul Finger" and became the backing band for Otis Redding. Tragedy struck in 1967 when four members were killed alongside Redding in a plane crash, but survivors Ben Cauley and James Alexander rebuilt the group. The Bar-Kays went on to become a major force in funk and R&B, recording hits such as "Son of Shaft," "Shake Your Rump to the Funk," and "Too Hot to Stop," while backing many legendary Stax artists.

Offered is a 6.5” x  8” Associated Press Photo stamped dated December 12, 1967 (just two days after the December 10^th plane crash).  Original newspaper caption attached to the back reads, “Most members of the Bar Kays, a group touring with hit "soul singer" Otis Redding, were killed with him Sunday in a plane crash at Madison, Wisconsin. The twin-engine craft plunged into a lake. 

Killed were Phalon Jones (1), tenor sax; Carl Cunningham (3), drummer; Ronnie Caldwell (5), organist; Jimmy King (6), guitarist and leader of the group; and Matthew Kelly, drummer, not shown in this picture. Ben Cauley (2), a trumpet player, was the only survivor and James Alexander (4), bass player, was not aboard the plane.”