Ben S. Cauley, Jr. (October 3, 1947 - September 21, 2015) was an American trumpet player, vocalist, songwriter, and founding member of the Stax recording group the Bar-Kays. I'd never been that way before in my life. 3 on the Billboard R&B charts. 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? One band member, Ben Cauley, survived. The cause of the crash was never clearly determined. Deals and discounts in Cookbooks you dont want to miss. Logic or luck doesn't fully explain how Cauley escaped the plane crash or the waters that nearly consumed him 40 years ago. After the show was over, we went down to the Hippodrome. The effort to retrieve bodies, personal effects and the parts of the plane took place over 10 days. 'It was a very distinct sound. Able to hold on to a seat cushion, Cauley was the only survivor. He was a well-known session musician, and Cauley-Campbell said she often recognized the sound of his trumpet on records because it was so different from anyone else's playing. "He's a guy, almost like a cat: He has nine lives. Cauley died on September 21, 2015, at the age of 67.[6][7]. The plane crashed in icy Lake Monona. "He really loved his music. Zelenskyy on Anniversary of RussianWar, R. Kelly Awaiting Fate in Child Pornography Case That Could Add Up to LifeSentence. Find the best deals on Women's Jewelry from your favorite brands. Pick up a copy of Elvis Presley's new album, Where No One Stands Alone. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. "[3], Cauley then unbuckled his safety belt which ultimately allowed him to separate himself from the wreckage. Year of Crash: 1967; Ben Cauley suffered hypothermia and shock following a plane crash that claimed the lives of four members of Bar-Kays and Ottis Redding, a legendary soul singer, in 1967. We said we was in school., By the spring of 1967, the group was Reddings backing band and recording at Stax Records. 3 on Billboards R&B chart. Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal, via Associated Press. Today is the 50th anniversary of the Wisconsin plane crash that took the life of Stax Records great Otis Redding. Cauley-Campbell said her father toured with Hayes, and also played with Aretha Franklin, the Doobie Brothers and many others. "I had to see it. Save up to 50% on Hair when you shop now. "He was just laying there with his eyes open. No one could play like him, she said. He survived the plane crash that killed Otis Redding. The Bar-Kays were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. At 65, he still writes and records songs at his home and gigs with the Bo-Keys. 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, who was a couple of years older than his bandmates, began attending LeMoyne College in 1965. He breathed music.. Privacy Notice Cauley suffered hypothermia and shock, but he survived. 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. Ben Cauley, Sole Survivor of Otis Redding Plane Crash, Dies at 67, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/arts/music/ben-cauley-sole-survivor-of-otis-redding-crash-dies-at-67.html. His death was first reported by The Commercial Appeal. ', Drama on set! He also directed the choir of Calvary Longview United Methodist Church, attended by him and his wife Shirley. On September 12, 2008, the scholarship was founded. He's had some terrible, traumatic experiences throughout his life. Another band member, bassist James Alexander, was on a different plane. Able to hold on to a seat cushion, Cauley was the only survivor. Cauleys eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, said her father died late Monday at Methodist South Hospital. Cauley had escaped with relatively minor cuts on his head and his foot; the others -- including Redding and pilot Richard Fraser -- had not been so fortunate. Cauley's eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, said her father died late Monday at Methodist South Hospital. In 2007, Bob Mehr told the story of Ben Cauley, trumpet player for the Bar-Kays, who was the lone survivor of the crash. His death was first reported by The Commercial Appeal. ", Flying on little rest from the previous night, the passengers soon drifted off to sleep. I was shaking all over. Original founder of The Bar-Kays. [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. Somehow, in between blacking out and rising to the surface of the water, he'd gotten hold of a seat cushion, which was keeping him afloat. When he was a senior, he would be picked up at high school on a Friday, travel and play with Otis Redding on the weekends and then come back to school the next week. Three members of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd die in a Mississippi plane crash. "It was a very distinct sound. He was a well-known session musician, and Cauley-Campbell said she often recognized the sound of his trumpet on records because it was so different from anyone elses playing. "No one could play like him," she said. Cauley was separated from the plane and thrown out of an opening in the fuselage. He had struggled with health issues for years, including a stroke he suffered in 1989, but he persevered through all of it and continued to play his trumpet. With a hit single and a tour with Redding, Cauley said the young band felt they were on their way, Things started looking up, from that point on., But six months later, five Bar-Kays and Otis Redding climbed aboard a small plane to fly from a show in Cleveland to Madison, Wisconsin. Deals and discounts in Womens Active Shoes & Sneakers you dont want to miss. . His body was perhaps a couple minutes away from going into hypothermia when he was pulled from the waters. 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Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Just WHO was Tom Brady speaking to during furious phone call - as lip reading analysis reveals retired QB screams 'stop calling me', rages about 'sounding stupid' and demands to know 'what am I supposed to do? Madison Police Inspector John Harrington was quoted as saying that a person without insulated SCUBA gear "wouldn't live longer than 20 or so minutes" in the icy water.[4]. Cauley was playing with the Bar-Kays while still attending high school at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, his daughter said. Sometimes, in his sleep, Ben Cauley still hears their cries -- the ones of his friends and band mates. He was just a real humble, debonair gentleman, Cauley-Campbell said. "He was in a total state of shock," says Alexander. 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. What happened next, Cauley says, "is something I can never erase. After the crash, Cauley reformed the Bar-Kays, who celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. 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 . The Bar-Kays were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. He could jam: Musicians Derek Huston, Marc Franklin, Cauley and Joe Restivo of the Bo-Keys open for Cyndi Lauper at The Club Nokia in LA in 2011. Cauley started attending LeMoyne College in 1965, before becoming a professional musician.[1]. ', Connected:He was 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. 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. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Plans for a memorial service are pending. Deals and discounts in Cookware you dont want to miss. '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. 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. Croce's letter announcing his intention to. "Honestly, I didn't even know what it was. Another band member, the bassist James Alexander, was on a different plane. "Lord knows, it just really touched me to be there. On Dec. 10, 1967, they were traveling on Redding's new twin engine Beechcraft when it went into Lake Monona near Madison, Wisconsin. Ben Cauley, who played trumpet with the rhythm-and-blues group the Bar-Kays and was the only survivor of the 1967 plane crash that killed Otis Redding, died on Monday in Memphis. The Bar-Kays were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. Every Sunday, Cauley attends Calvary Longview United Methodist Church where he sings with the choir. 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 breathed music.. He was a well-known session musician, and Cauley-Campbell said she often recognized the sound of his trumpet on records because it was so different from anyone elses playing. "The first job we did that weekend was in Nashville, at Vanderbilt University on Friday,"; says Cauley. On Dec. 10, 1967, they were traveling to a show near the University of Wisconsin on Reddings new twin engine Beechcraft when it went into Lake Monona near Madison, Wis. Do not sell or share my personal information. 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. I remember I got up, unbuckled my seatbelt to see what it was. For those inclined to believe in the sheltering hand of a Higher Power, Ben Cauley is as close to proof as you may ever find. It was a pitch above the roof.". His death was confirmed by his eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell. With resilience and an undeniable exuberance for music, Cauley continued his career, in spite of a number of hurdles, including a massive stroke. He was 67. The Bar-Kays were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. The plane crashed in icy Lake Monona. Find the best deals on More Pets Supplies from your favorite brands. He died on September 21, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Early years[ edit] When he was a senior he would be picked up at high school on a Friday, travel and play with Otis on the weekends and then come back to school the next week. 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 died in Memphis. Ben Cauley and James Alexander reformed the Bar-Kays and went on to record with Stax artists such as Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas and the Staple Singers, as well as appear at Wattstax, "The Black Woodstock". Reputation management expert reveals why it doesn't just happen to Beijing warns Elon Musk 'don't bite the hand that feeds you' after the Tesla chief - who sells 40% of his Is YOUR lifestyle good for your heart? In recent years he's become an important presence at the Stax Museum of American Soul, both at ceremonial functions and its school for children. But surviving the impact of the crash was only the first hurdle. Find the best deals on Fitness Nutrition from your favorite brands. He was a well-known session musician, and Cauley-Campbell said she often recognized the sound of his trumpet on records because it was so different from anyone else's playing. Cauley-Campbell said Cauley toured with Hayes, and also played on sessions for Aretha Franklin, the Doobie Brothers, The Replacements and many others. But I went over and picked it up and started playing -- ba-de-dum-dum-ba-dum-dum," says Cauley, aping the first notes of "Soul Finger.". 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. On the eve of the crash's 40th anniversary, the 60-year-old Cauley sits in his home recording studio in Southeast Memphis with two of his daughters, Chekita Cauley-Campbell and Shuronda Cauley-Oliver, talking emotionally and candidly about his remarkable life. Cauley's eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, said her father died late Monday at Methodist South Hospital. On Dec. 10, 1967, Mr. Cauley and most of the other members of the band were traveling on Reddings new twin-engine Beechcraft when it crashed into Lake Monona, near Madison, Wis. Save up to 50% on Maternity Clothing when you shop now. They formed a group called the Imperials, later changing their name to the Bar-Kays. Then, he sang He Knows Just How Much You Can Bear., Having gone through all those changes, my music was something I had in my life. It was a pitch above the roof.. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Bar-Kays bassist James Alexander had taken a different flight, as there was not enough room left on Redding's plane. The group was originally named the Imperials, and later changed to the Bar-Kays in the mid-1960s. I couldn't talk. "They had given him three days to live after his stroke," says Cauley's daughter Chekita. Save up to 50% on Smart Home when you shop now. Find the best deals on HDTVs, UHD TVs, & 4KTVs from your favorite brands. His music was really his life. Taken to the hospital, Cauley was finally told that he'd been the only one to survive. The plane had gone into Lake Monona, on the banks of Madison, at a sharp 35-degree angle. 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