The Bar-Kays

 During Memphis’ soul music heyday of the ‘60s and ‘70s, few artists were as consequential as the Bar-Kays, one of the world’s preeminent instrumental groups and an enduring example of strength in the face of tragedy.  The Bar-Kays first formed in 1964 as a studio session group, backing major artists at Stax Records before striking gold with their own hit track “Soul Finger.” In 1967, tragedy struck the group when four members were killed in a plane crash that also took the life of Otis Redding. Surviving members Ben Cauley and James Alexander soon assumed the heavy task of rebuilding the group, who would go on to back artists such as Isaac Hayes while also churning out infectiously funky albums of their own. Throughout the 1970s and ‘80s, the Bar-Kays continued to score hits on R&B charts, including “Boogie Body Land” and “Holy Ghost.” In 2013, the group was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and they continue to release new music to this day.