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The Life of Ben Cauley
Ben S. Cauley Jr., born on October 3, 1947, was an American trumpet player, vocalist, songwriter, and a founding member of the Stax recording group, the Bar-Kays. He was the only survivor of the 1967 plane crash that claimed the lives of soul singer Otis Redding and four members of the Bar-Kays. Cauley was born in South Memphis, Tennessee. He learned to play the 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. The group was originally named the Imperials, and later changed to the Bar-Kays in the mid-1960s. Cauley started attending LeMoyne College in 1965, before becoming a professional musician (according to Wikipedia).
The Bar-Kays and Their Rise to Fame
The Bar-Kays joined the Stax studio by 1966, and were signed on to Stax’s subsidiary Volt Records in the beginning of 1967. 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 fact, Otis Redding took such a liking to the band that he chose them to be his touring back-up band in the summer of 1967 (according to Wikipedia).
The Tragic Plane Crash
On December 10, 1967, on their commute to Madison, Wisconsin, at 3:28 p.m., the plane, which carried Otis Redding, his partner, and the majority of the Bar-Kays, crashed into Lake Monona, on the outskirts of Madison. Bar-Kays bassist James Alexander had taken a different flight, as there was not enough room left on Redding’s plane. Cauley, who was sitting directly behind Otis Redding in the co-pilot’s seat, had fallen asleep on the flight clutching his seat cushion. He awoke when he realized he could not breathe. He then saw bandmate Phalon Jones look out of a window and say “Oh, no!” Cauley then unbuckled his safety belt which ultimately allowed him to separate himself from the wreckage (according to Wikipedia).
Ben Cauley’s Cause of Death
Ben Cauley passed away on September 21, 2015, at the age of 67 in Memphis, Tennessee. He had been dealing with health problems, but a specific cause of death has not been released (according to Dispatch). His life was a testament to resilience and the power of music, and his legacy continues to inspire musicians around the world.
