The events that led to King Curtis’ death in 1971 are well
documented; he was fatally wounded after challenging a couple of junkies who
were using his door step to ply their trade. But this saxophone colossus left us
with an amazingly varied and fascinating archive spanning almost every genre of
music. It is for this reason, and for his many inspired collaborations – from Aretha
to Duane Allman – that King Curtis sits alongside the greats in my personal pantheon
of style innovators.
Yakety Yak - The Coasters - featuring King Curtis (1958)
Memphis Soul Stew - King Curtis and the Kingpins (1969)
Copyright unknown
Memphis Soul Stew - King Curtis and the Kingpins (1969)
Whiter Shade of Pale - King Curtis and the Kingpins (1971)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBnXT225VLk