Cauley died on . On Dec. 10, 1967, they were traveling on Redding's new twin engine Beechcraft when it went into Lake Monona near Madison, Wisconsin. Cauley-Campbell said Cauley toured with Hayes, and also played with Aretha Franklin, the Doobie Brothers and many others. Trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of the Stax Records group the Bar-Kays and the only survivor of the 1967 plane crash that killed most of his bandmates and legendary singer Otis Redding, has. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of the Stax Records group the Bar-Kays and the only survivor of the 1967 plane crash that killed most of his bandmates and Stax star Otis Redding, has died in Memphis.He was 67. Besides Cauley-Campbell, Cauley is survived by daughters Shuronda Cauley-Oliver, Miriam Cauley-Crisp, Monica Cauley-Johnson and Kimberly Garrett; and sons Phalon Richmond and Ben Wells. The speed of the rescue team -- which got to the crash site in 17 minutes -- was probably the thing that saved Cauley. While he has long been known as the sole survivor of the crash that killed Redding, Cauley was a survivor in many other ways. Ben Cauley was born on October 3, 1947 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He survived the 1967 plane crash that killed Otis Redding. Cauley urged him to hold on, but his attempts to get to his bandmates were defeated by the hard, lapping waters. "[3], Cauley then unbuckled his safety belt which ultimately allowed him to separate himself from the wreckage. Cauley suffered hypothermia and shock, but he survived. Shop the best selection of deals on Cat Supplies now. "He didn't feel comfortable being gone on the road all the time," says Alexander, who continues to lead the Bar-Kays to this day. I tried. Other victims, including Redding, were found still attached to their seats. Debuting in 1968, the reconstituted Bar-Kays were a successful group, recording and playing sessions at Stax and frequently heading out on tour with groups like the Temptations. In dreams, he feels the rush of the lake's icy water, the chill of fear, and the helplessness and hurt that followed. In this Nov. 29, 2007, file photo, Ben Cauley, a member of the Stax Records group the Bar-Kays and the only survivor of the 1967 plane crash that killed most of his bandmates and Stax star Otis Redding, poses for a photo in his home studio in Memphis, Tenn. Review: Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle by Griffin Theatre asks, how do relationships happen? His music was really his life. These days, Cauley has recovered almost fully from his stroke -- the only reminder is some occasional difficulty with his speech. And while he. He was 67. His death was confirmed by his eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell. That summer of '67, the Bar-Kays started their work backing Redding with a 10-night stand at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and then proceeded to tour the country. See also. The Bar-Kays were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. I was shaking all over. He said he'd rather have the pilot do it. In the chaos, confusion and cold, he glimpsed some of his fellow passengers: Carl Cunningham surfaced for a moment without speaking; Ronnie Caldwell cried out for help. Cauley-Campbell said her father toured with Hayes, and also played with Aretha Franklin, the Doobie Brothers and many others. "He really loved his music. Female firefighters in Richton Park lead by example: You dont have to be a man to do this job, Kam Buckner: The next mayor of Chicago has a reform mandate, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He formed the Bar-Kays at Booker T. Washington High School with friends: James Alexander, Ronnie Caldwell, Carl Cunningham, Jimmy King, and Phalon Jones. Published: 22:13 EST, 22 September 2015 | Updated: 03:00 EST, 23 September 2015. He's had some terrible, traumatic experiences throughout his life. 'No one could play like him,' she said. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of the Stax Records group the Bar-Kays and the only survivor of the 1967 plane crash that killed most of his bandmates and Stax star Otis Redding . (his death) (2 children) Trivia (3) He survived the plane crash that killed Otis Redding. [2] As such they appeared as the backing band on numerous recordings for Stax artists such as Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, and Sam and Dave. In a way, the experience seems to have been a catharsis, providing Cauley some measure of peace. According to Jet magazine, which interviewed Cauley and the authorities who assisted in the rescue attempt, the rescue divers could not be in the water for more than 15 minutes at a time due to the freezing temperature of the water. Chris Pleasance explains how Ukraine 'hits major Russian air base in fresh strike' a day after kamikaze drone crashed down just 68 miles Iran could make materials for a nuclear bomb in just 12 DAYS, US warns. The plane had gone into Lake Monona, on the banks of Madison, at a sharp 35-degree angle. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. These are the best Kitchen Linens deals youll find online. On December 8, 1967, Otis Redding and the Bar-Kays flew in Redding's twin engine Beechcraft H18 plane to Nashville, Tennessee, for three weekend gigs. She said some of the band members needed permission slips from their parents to travel with the band. He learned to play trumpet when at school, and formed a band with guitarist Jimmy King, saxophonist Phalon Jones, drummer Carl Cunningham, keyboardist Ronnie Caldwell, and bassist James Alexander. At around 3:30 p.m., just a few minutes outside of Madison, Cauley woke to the plane's violent shaking. Ben Cauley was born on 3 October 1947 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. While he has long been known as the sole survivor of the crash that killed Redding, Cauley was a survivor in many other ways. ", In the wake of the accident, the entire Stax family was shaken to its core. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of the Stax Records group the Bar-Kays and the only survivor of the 1967 plane crash that killed most of his bandmates and Stax star Otis Redding, has died in Memphis. Ben Cauley on the plane crash that killed Otis Redding & the Bar Kays Memphis January 2015 Walkin' On The Blvd 7.98K subscribers Subscribe 240 32K views 7 years ago Pick up a copy of Elvis. In 2007, Bob Mehr told the story of Ben Cauley, trumpet player for the Bar-Kays, who was the lone survivor of the crash. After the crash, the pair rebuilt the Bar-Kays and backed Isaac Hayes on his landmark album Hot Buttered Soul, according to the Memphis Music Hall of Fames website. In addition to Ms. Cauley-Campbell, he is survived by four other daughters, Shuronda Cauley-Oliver, Miriam Cauley-Crisp, Monica Cauley-Johnson and Kimberly Garrett, and two sons, Phalon Richmond and Ben Wells. The Bar-Kays had an immediate Top 20 hit in the spring of 1967 with Soul Finger, an instrumental that begins with the melody from Mary Had a Little Lamb before segueing into the gritty soul music Stax was known for. ', Drama on set! All Rights Reserved. Cauley was thrown into the freezing water. Porter credits the popularity of Cauley's performances there with helping make the airport's later musical makeover possible. Shop the best selection of deals on Beauty now. The cushion kept the musician afloat until a police boat arrived. "Lord knows, it just really touched me to be there. While he has long been known as the sole survivor of the crash that killed Redding, Cauley was a survivor in many other ways. While he has long been known as the sole survivor of the crash that killed Redding, Cauley was a survivor in many other ways. Cauley started attending LeMoyne College in 1965, before becoming a professional musician.[1]. Sometimes, in his sleep, Ben Cauley still hears their cries -- the ones of his friends and band mates. Ben Cauley, the Bar-Kays' trumpet player is the only survivor of the crash that killed 8 passengers, including Otis Redding and the band's 3 other members. ", Flying on little rest from the previous night, the passengers soon drifted off to sleep. Another band member, bassist James Alexander, was on a different plane. Cauley couldn't swim and said he didn't even try when he was thrown into the freezing water as the . The plane crashed in icy Lake Monona. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. He then played some trumpet and sang elegiac renditions of Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness" and "(Sittin On) The Dock of the Bay.". Ben Cauley in 2007. He was 67. Cauley was playing with the Bar-Kays while still attending high school at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, his daughter said. On June 6, 2015, Cauley was on hand to be inducted into the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in Clarksdale, Mississippi, along with the other Bar-Kays. "It was a very distinct sound. 'That is NOT fair': Teacher's union boss Randi Weingarten has complete meltdown over student debt outside Biden claims he had a nurse who would whisper in his ear and BREATHE on him to make sure there was a 'human House votes to block 'woke' Biden plan pushing retirement planners to invest in ESG in 401ks. After a long silence, tears begin streaming down his face, and his body slumps, the weight of 40 years of pain bearing down on his shoulders. After the crash, the pair rebuilt the Bar-Kays and backed Isaac Hayes on his landmark album, Hot Buttered Soul, according to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame's website. Ben Cauley was at home on stage. Deals and discounts in Cookware you dont want to miss. The group was originally named the Imperials, and later changed to the Bar-Kays in the mid-1960s. Terms of Use Cauley's eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, said her father died late Monday at Methodist South Hospital. Find the best deals on Small Appliances from your favorite brands. Able to hold on to a seat cushion, Cauley was the only survivor. "He was just a real humble, debonair gentleman," Cauley-Campbell said. See for yourself by trying this new quiz devised by cardiologists 'They told me anyone wearing Trump has to go now': Ron DeSantis book signing event in Florida turns ugly Another close call! We reserve the right to close comments at any time. [2][3] Cauley, who was sitting directly behind Otis Redding in the co-pilot's seat, had fallen asleep on the flight clutching his seat cushion. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Cauley got his musical start singing in church with his mother and picked up the trumpet in seventh grade. Bar-Kays bassist James Alexander had taken a different flight, as there was not enough room left on Redding's plane. They created their signature song, Soul Finger., [Jim Stewart] came back and said, Whats that yall played? Cauley said. Apple sales drop 5% in biggest quarterly decline since 2016, Alphabet misses Q4 estimates, Amazon reports almost no profit and Google Ad revenue falls, US employers cut 102,000 jobs in January - a 440% jump from the same time a year ago: 'Tech wreck' spurred layoffs as expert warns 'we're on the other side of the hiring frenzy of the pandemic years', Estranged wife of Texas man accused of killing his Colombian DJ girlfriend transferred 'marital estate to an offshore trust' before she filed for divorce and abandoned the United States as a Wisconsin judge has now issued a warrant for his arrest, Nepo baby gets DENIED! We are no longer accepting comments on this article. However, the band made little money, as they did not have much work outside of being a house band for Stax, and frequently needed to tour with the artists they backed. She said some of the band members needed permission slips from their parents to travel with the band. But, as if scripted, on that third day, Cauley recovered dramatically enough to leave the intensive care unit. He really loved his music. Wade donated $100,000 to Stax Records that would be used to create the Ben Cauley scholarship, in his honor and to shed light on his accomplishments. Sitemap, Your California Privacy Rights According to James Alexander, Cauley was the best dressed of the group, always known to wear a suit, no matter the occasion. His death was first reported by The Commercial Appeal. Cauley's eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, said her father died late Monday at Methodist South Hospital. Then they hit, and he was loose in the water, terrified he. The teen group was in high demand at clubs, like the Hippodrome. Do you hate foreplay? On September 20, 1973, the chartered flight he and Muehleisen were aboard crashed, the result of what an investigation later revealed was pilot error. He was previously married to Shirley. Cauley, who was a couple of years older than his bandmates, began attending LeMoyne College in 1965. 12,066, This story has been shared 10,111 times. Cauley was the sole survivor of the plane crash that claimed the lives of Otis Redding and four band members of the Bar-Kays outside of Madison, Wisconsin, on December 10, 1967. This year has been one of significant anniversaries for Cauley: the 40th anniversary of the plane crash, the 50th of Stax's founding, and his own 60th birthday, which his family -- which includes seven children from a pair of marriages -- celebrated by throwing a surprise party for him in October. Trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of the Stax Records group the Bar-Kays and the only survivor of the 1967 plane crash that killed most of his bandmates and Stax star Otis Redding, has died in Memphis. Bob Mehr, "Bar-Kays hornman Ben Cauley is a survivor", "Redding Was Sitting In Co-Pilot's Seat, Survivor Says", "Cause Of Crash Not Pinpointed By Officials: Credit Survivor's Life To Swift Police Action", "Ben Cauley, Founding Member Of Bar-Kays, Dies At 67 - NewsChannel5.com", Ben Cauley, Sole Survivor of Otis Redding Crash, Dies at 67, Ben Cauley Interview - NAMM Oral History Library (2015), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Cauley&oldid=1124352701, Survivors of aviation accidents or incidents, Accidents and incidents involving the Beechcraft Model 18, Articles needing additional references from June 2018, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 November 2022, at 14:01. Cauley suffered hypothermia and shock, but he survived. And we said we're still in school, so we can't go on weekdays. His daughter Chekita, consoles him, his younger girl Shuronda brings him some tissues, as he struggles to continue. Pick up a copy of Elvis Presley's new album, Where No One Stands Alone. After the crash, Cauley reformed the Bar-Kays, who celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. Cauley was playing with the Bar-Kays while still attending high school at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, his daughter said. Cauley remembers the cabin of the plane was especially cold that morning. Save up to 50% on Women's Accessories when you shop now. His death was first reported by The Commercial Appeal. . No one could play like him, she said. On December 10, 1967, they were traveling on Redding's new twin engine Beechcraft when it went into Lake Monona near Madison, Wisconsin. 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