| 22nd | Top soul-jazz musicians |
| 133rd | Top current Atlantic Records artists |
| King Curtis | |
|---|---|
 King Curtis
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Curtis Ousley |
| Born | February 7, 1934 Fort Worth, Texas |
| Origin | Fort Worth, Texas, United States |
| Died | August 13, 1971 (aged 37) New York |
| Genres | Soul, R&B, rock, funk, jazz |
| Occupations | Musician, bandleader, producer |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1950–1971 |
| Labels | King, Prestige, True Sound, Capitol, Atlantic, Groove |
| Associated acts | Aretha Franklin, The Coasters, The King Pins, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, The Shirelles, The Noble Band, Cornell Dupree |
| Notable instruments | |
| Saxophone | |
Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the name King Curtis, was an American tenor, alto, and soprano saxophonist and session musician who played rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. He was also a musical director and record producer. He was best known for his distinctive sax riffs and solos such as on "Yakety Yak", which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and his own "Memphis Soul Stew".[1]
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From the 1950s until the mid 1960s, he worked as a session player, recording under his own name and with others such as the Coasters, with whom he recorded "Yakety Yak". Buddy Holly hired him for session work, during which they recorded "Reminiscing". His best-known singles from this period are "Soul Twist" and "Soul Serenade" .
In 1965, he moved to Atlantic Records and recorded his most successful singles, "Memphis Soul Stew" and "Ode to Billie Joe" (1967). He worked with The Coasters, led Aretha Franklin's backing band The Kingpins. Curtis produced records, often working with Jerry Wexler and recorded for Groove Records during this period. [2]
In 1970, he appeared with Aretha Franklin and The King Pins on Aretha Live at Fillmore West, and another record, King Curtis Live At Fillmore West, which included a version of "Memphis Soul Stew" and covers of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" and Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". The line-up for these performances included: Hammond organ player Billy Preston, bassist Jerry Jemmott, guitarist Cornell Dupree, Pancho Morales (percussion), drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and The Memphis Horns. The cover of Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" was taken from this album, and used as the title music in the cult British comedy film, Withnail & I. During 1971, Curtis recorded a saxophone solo on "It's So Hard" from John Lennon's Imagine.[3]
On August 13, 1971,[4] Curtis became involved in an argument [5] with two men outside his apartment on West 86th Street. One of the men, Juan Montañez, stabbed Curtis in the heart. He was taken to Roosevelt Hospital, where he died from his wounds.[6] On the day of the funeral Atlantic Records closed their offices.[7] Jesse Jackson administered the service and as the mourners filed in, Curtis's band 'The Kingpins' played "Soul Serenade". Amongst those attending were Aretha Franklin, Cissy Houston, Brook Benton and Duane Allman.[8 ] Franklin sang the closing spiritual "Never Grow Old" and Stevie Wonder performed "Abraham, Martin & John and now King Curtis".[9]
In 1970, Curtis won the Best R&B Instrumental Performance Grammy for "Games People Play".[10]
Curtis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 6, 2000.[11]
   | King Curtis - allmusic ((( King Curtis > Overview ))) |
| | King Curtis is stabbed to death - King Curtis, the Bandleader, Is Stabbed to Death; Dies of Wounds Recei... - Free Preview - The New York Times |
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