This was enjoyably funky!
King Curtis (1934-1971) was a saxophone player and a very good one. Among others, he played saxophone on the Coasters' "Yakety Yak" and Aretha Franklin's "Respect". He also played sax on MAD magazine's flexidisc recording of "It's a Gas" in 1966, which features, besides an amazing sax solo, a whole lot of belching.
Curtis first hit the charts in 1962 with "Soul Twist", which reached #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 but did not get airplay in Toronto. "Memphis Soul Stew" was more successful locally than nationally, as it only reached #33 on the Hot 100.
Curtis's life was tragically cut short in 1971 when he was stabbed to death following an argument on the front steps of his apartment building. Jesse Jackson (who passed away earlier this month) administered the service at his funeral.
Created February 20, 2026.