King Curtis And The Noble Knights - Songs

ABOUT

King Curtis (February 7, 1934 - August 13, 1971) was a saxophone virtuoso, bandleader, musical director, and producer covering R&B, jazz, and rock & roll who became famous during the 1960s. Best known for "Soul Twist" (1962), which topped the R&B charts and made the Pop/Rock Top 20, his long string of instrumental hits through 1971 on both charts also includes the self-penned "Memphis Soul Stew" (1967) and his rendition of Bobbie Gentry's "Ode To Billie Joe" (1967). King Curtis can also be heard on such oldies classics as The Coasters' "Yakety Sax" and Aretha Franklin's "Respect."

Born Curtis Montgomery in Fort Worth, Texas, he was adopted along with his sister by Josie and William Ousley and took the couple's surname. He began playing the saxophone at age 12 and in his late teens, joined the Lionel Hampton Band. In 1952, he moved to New York and became a highly sought-after session musician, recording with artists as diverse as Nat Adderley, Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Wynton Kelly, and Andy Williams, along with many others. He also recorded dozens of albums under his own name and gave many concerts throughout his career.

King Curtis' numerous honors and accolades include a Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental (1970) and being posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. His career and life were tragically cut short in 1971 at age 37 when he was fatally stabbed by a vagrant in front of his Manhattan apartment building.

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SONGS

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King Curtis And The Noble Knights

King Curtis

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