Bar-Kays founding member Ben Cauley dies

Ben Cauley, a trumpeter known for being a founding member of Stax Records’ Bar-Kays, died Monday, the Associated Press reports. His official cause of death has not been released at this time, but his daughters said they know their father is at peace. “He really loved his music”. He will be missed by the Memphis music community, his family and friends.

Cauley and his The Bar-Kays bandmates were Redding’s backing group during the ill-fated 1967 tour.

On December 10, 1967, they were traveling on Redding’s new twin engine Beechcraft when it went into Lake Monona near Madison, Wisconsin. Cauley held on to a seat cushion and was the only survivor.

Yes, we said pioneer – a well-deserved accolade because of his work with the legendary Stax Records group the Bar-Kays and status as a Memphis Music Hall of Famer.

“He could still pick his trumpet up and play it”, Sampson said.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office says he was hoarding samples of the waffles at the Burbank Costco on Sunday morning when the 78-year-old told him to take just one. Plans for a memorial service are pending.