The Bar-Kays are an American instrumental soul and funk band from Memphis, Tennessee. The band was formed in 1966 by trumpeter Ben Cauley, saxophonist James Alexander, guitarist Michael Toles, bassist James Alexander, and drummer Paul Robinson. The Bar-Kays are best known for their work with Otis Redding, having served as his backing band from 1965 until his death in a plane crash in 1967.
After Redding’s death, the Bar-Kays continued to record and perform, releasing a number of successful albums and singles throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The band’s music is characterized by its tight, funky rhythms, soulful melodies, and powerful horn arrangements. The Bar-Kays have been praised by critics for their musicality and their ability to create dance-floor anthems that are both timeless and relevant.
