King Curtis

King Curtis (born Curtis Ousley) was the last of the great R'n'B tenor sax greats. He came to prominence in the mid-50's as a session musician in New York, recording at one time or another for most of the East Coast R'n'B labels. A long association with Atlantic/Atco began in 1958 and his playing is heard on hit recordings by the Coasters among many others. He recorded singles under his own name for many small labels in the 1950's -- his own Acto sessions ('58/'59), then Prestige/New Jazz and Prestige/TruSound for jazz and R'n'B albums in 1960 and 1961. In 1962 Curtis also enjoyed a #1 R'n'B hit with Soul Twist on Enjoy Records. He also contributed the sax solo on Buddy Holly's Reminiscing, a song covered by the Beatles in their Hamburg days.He was signed by Capitol for two years (1963-64) where he may have come into early contact with the Beatles through common label connections. He certainly made their acquaintance during the Beatles 1965 U.S. tour, appearing with them at their famed Shea Stadium concert. He later led Aretha Franklin's backing band and took an active studio role at Atlantic Records, contracting sessions and producing. He was murdered a month after doing overdub work for the Imagine album, stabbed to death during a punch-up in front of his apartment. It was Friday the 13th, August 1971.