The Bar-Kays
The Bar-Kays were a popular Memphis, Tennessee, soul, R&B, and funk group performing from 1966 and continue to perform today, although with only one original member. They began as a favorite soul studio sessions group backing major artists at Stax Records, chosen in 1967 by Otis Redding to play as his backup band.
On December 10, 1967, Redding, his manager, and band members Jimmy King (b.1949; guitar), Ronnie Caldwell (b. 1948; organ), Phalon Jones (b. 1949; saxophone), and Carl Cunningham (b. 1949; drums) died in a plane crash in Lake Monona while on their way to a performance in Madison, Wisconsin.
Trumpeter Ben Cauley survived the crash and bassist James Alexander (who missed the flight due to returning a rental car) rebuilt the group.
The reformed band consisted of Cauley; Alexander; Harvey Henderson, saxophone; Michael Toles, guitar; Ronnie Gorden, organ; Willie Hall, drums and later Larry Dodson, lead vocals.
The group backed dozens of major Stax artists on recordings afterwards, including on Isaac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul album, and changed direction in the 1970s to have a successful funk music career. They continued to score hits on R&B charts well into the 1980s and have performed all over the world.
Lloyd Smith joined the Bar-Kays in 1973.
On tour
Yes
Followers
29,235
Category
Funk, Soul, R&b/soul, Rnb-soul, R&b
About The Bar-Kays
The Bar-Kays were a popular Memphis, Tennessee, soul, R&B, and funk group performing from 1966 and continue to perform today, although with only one original member. They began as a favorite soul studio sessions group backing major artists at Stax Records, chosen in 1967 by Otis Redding to play as his backup band.
On December 10, 1967, Redding, his manager, and band members Jimmy King (b.1949; guitar), Ronnie Caldwell (b. 1948; organ), Phalon Jones (b. 1949; saxophone), and Carl Cunningham (b. 1949; drums) died in a plane crash in Lake Monona while on their way to a performance in Madison, Wisconsin.
Trumpeter Ben Cauley survived the crash and bassist James Alexander (who missed the flight due to returning a rental car) rebuilt the group.
The reformed band consisted of Cauley; Alexander; Harvey Henderson, saxophone; Michael Toles, guitar; Ronnie Gorden, organ; Willie Hall, drums and later Larry Dodson, lead vocals.
The group backed dozens of major Stax artists on recordings afterwards, including on Isaac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul album, and changed direction in the 1970s to have a successful funk music career. They continued to score hits on R&B charts well into the 1980s and have performed all over the world.
Lloyd Smith joined the Bar-Kays in 1973.
Follow on Bandsintown
Genres
Funk, Soul, R&b/soul, Rnb-soul, R&b
Similar Artists On Tour
The Isley Brothers
The Gap Band
Cameo
Kool & The Gang
Earth, Wind & Fire
The Commodores
The Temptations
The O'Jays
Midnight Star
Dazz Band
Chaka Khan
The Whispers
Frequently Asked Questions About The Bar-Kays
Concerts & Tour Date Information
Is The Bar-Kays on tour?
Yes, The Bar-Kays is currently on tour. If you’re interested in attending an upcoming
The Bar-Kays concert, make sure to grab your tickets in advance. The The Bar-Kays tour
is scheduled for 1 dates across 0 cities. Get
information on all upcoming tour dates and tickets for 2025-2026 with Hypebot.
How many upcoming tour dates is The Bar-Kays scheduled to play?
The Bar-Kays is scheduled to play 1 shows between 2025-2026. Buy
concert tickets to a nearby show through Hypebot.
When does the The Bar-Kays tour start?
The Bar-Kays’s tour starts Jun 07, 2025 and ends on Jun 07, 2025.
They will play 0 cities; their most recent concert was held in
Napa at Meritage Resort and their next upcoming concert
will be in at .
What venues is The Bar-Kays performing at?
As part of the The Bar-Kays tour, The Bar-Kays is scheduled to play across the following
venues and cities:
2025 Tour Dates:
Jun 07 - Napa,
California @ Meritage Resort