"That next night was in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. ", After months of shock and mourning, Cauley and Alexander decided to try and pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and re-form the band. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. To some, Ben Cauley is the answer to a tragic trivia question: the trumpeter was the sole survivor of the plane crash Dec. 10, 1967, outside Madison, Wis., that claimed eight people, including Stax Records star Otis Redding, and Cauley's Bar-Kays bandmates Phalon Jones, Carl Cunningham, Jimmy King and Ronnie Caldwell. But, Cauley, who had a growing family, left the band in 1972. "He asked about us doing some gigs. Cauley-Campbell said Cauley toured with Hayes, and also played with Aretha Franklin, the Doobie Brothers and many others. Cauley remembers the cabin of the plane was especially cold that morning. Shop our favorite Dog Supplies finds at great prices. Another band member, bassist James Alexander, was on a different plane. Wade donated $100,000 to Stax Records that would be used to create the Ben Cauley scholarship, in his honor and to shed light on his accomplishments. The effort to retrieve bodies, personal effects and the parts of the plane took place over 10 days. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Kodak Black Arrest Warrant Issued in Florida Over Failed DrugTest, Brad Paisley Drops Song Featuring Ukrainian Pres. In dreams, he feels the rush of the lake's icy water, the chill of fear, and the helplessness and hurt that followed. It was around this same period that Stax's signature star, Otis Redding, caught the Bar-Kays in concert, and was taken by their sound. He was soon back playing his horn and performing, something doctors said he would never do. His death was confirmed by his eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell. 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. Cauleys eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, said her father died late Monday at Methodist South Hospital. Cauley did not know how to swim and was stuck in the freezing waters holding onto a seat cushion until a . 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. They would be picked up on a Friday, travel and play with Redding on the weekend and return to school for the week. 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 . His death was first reported by The Commercial Appeal. Ben Cauley was born on October 3, 1947 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Suggest an edit or add missing content. 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 Fame's website. The Bar-Kays were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. Pick up a copy of Elvis Presley's new album, Where No One Stands Alone. 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. While he has long been known as the sole survivor of the crash that killed Redding, Cauley was a survivor in many other ways. His death was first reported by The Commercial Appeal. Early years[ edit] Thanks for contacting us. While he has long been known as the sole survivor of the crash that killed Redding just as his career was peaking, Cauley was a survivor in many other ways. I was conscious at that time," says Cauley. . Save up to 50% on Hair when you shop now. 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? He survived the 1967 plane crash that killed Otis Redding. At this tiny detail, Cauley suddenly stops his narrative and drops his head. Mr. Cauley had various health problems in recent years, including a stroke he suffered in 1989, but he continued to perform. It was a pitch above the roof.". "It was a match made in heaven," says Cauley. His music was really his life. Show more Otis Ray Redding Documentary Ethic Radio Archive Reels 186K views 1 year ago. In 2007, Bob Mehr told the story of Ben Cauley, trumpet player for the Bar-Kays, who was the lone survivor of the crash. Deals and discounts in Cookbooks you dont want to miss. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Plans for a memorial service are pending. "I saw Carl come out of the water, I saw (Redding's valet) Matt (Kelly) come up on the other side. Besides Cauley-Campbell, Cauley is survived by daughters Shuronda Cauley-Oliver, Miriam Cauley-Crisp, Monica Cauley-Johnson and Kimberly Garrett; and sons Phalon Richmond and Ben Wells. Trumpeter Ben Cauley has died in Memphis at the age of 67. "Honestly, I didn't even know what it was. "It's really that simple. She said some of the band members needed permission slips from their parents to travel with the band. He came back to where we was and said, Man! The Bar-Kays were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. The group was originally named the Imperials, and later changed to the Bar-Kays in the mid-1960s. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. Save up to 50% on Smart Home when you shop now. Other victims, including Redding, were found still attached to their seats. 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.". We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Soundtrack: Dope. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Cauley's eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, said her father died late Monday at Methodist South Hospital. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. The new version of the band backed Isaac Hayes on his landmark 1969 album, Hot Buttered Soul, and recorded several albums of its own. "He was just laying there with his eyes open. 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We said we was in school., By the spring of 1967, the group was Reddings backing band and recording at Stax Records. Able to hold onto a seat cushion, Mr. Cauley was the only survivor. 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. Deals and discounts in Tablets you dont want to miss. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Doctors gave him three days to live. "In my mind Ben's success was a big reason why there was no hesitation in not only incorporating music in the airport, but building the whole airport around the credibility of Memphis music.". No one could play like him, she said. 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. 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The next thing I remember, I came to and was in all this water.". Besides Cauley-Campbell, Cauley is survived by daughters Shuronda Cauley-Oliver, Miriam Cauley-Crisp, Monica Cauley-Johnson and Kimberly Garrett; and sons Phalon Richmond and Ben Wells. He was 67. This story has been shared 42,781 times. "A lot of our fellow musicians cared about the Bar-Kays," says Cauley. 42,781, This story has been shared 14,281 times. "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 Fame's website. Shop our favorite Plus Size Clothing finds at great prices. Although initially paralyzed, he relearned how to walk and talk (with occasional speech difficulty), and read and write. "[3], Cauley then unbuckled his safety belt which ultimately allowed him to separate himself from the wreckage. "When you consider what he's experienced and yet he can still get up and have the kind of energy that entertains people," says Porter, "it's a true testament to what's inside of this guy. The group recorded for the Stax label and soon started touring as Reddings backup band. 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. Ben Cauley in 2007. There, he performed as part of a ceremony honoring Redding and the fallen Bar-Kays at the Monona Terrace, on the banks of the lake. He said, Man, thats a hit. ADVERTISEMENT The plane was found nose-down about 48 feet below the surface. He said he'd rather have the pilot do it. Taken to the hospital, Cauley was finally told that he'd been the only one to survive. Save up to 50% on Maternity Clothing when you shop now. Then they hit, and he was loose in the water, terrified he. He really loved his music. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. He was just a real humble, debonair gentleman, Cauley-Campbell said. Plans for a memorial service are pending. Porter credits the popularity of Cauley's performances there with helping make the airport's later musical makeover possible. But in a greater sense, Cauley is the ultimate survivor -- someone who's become the living embodiment of both the triumph and tragedy of the Stax legacy. When he was a senior, he would be picked up at high school on a Friday, travel and play with Redding on the weekends and then come back to school the next week. "After our show he ran backstage, and said 'Y'all bad!'" Bar-Kays trumpet player Ben Cauley celebrated his 65th birthday this year, and he has much to celebrate. With resilience and an undeniable exuberance for music, Cauley continued his career, in spite of a number of hurdles, including a massive stroke. "I kept asking, 'Are they alright?' 10,111, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved See for yourself by trying this new quiz devised by cardiologists 'They told me anyone wearing Trump has to go now': Ron DeSantis book signing event in Florida turns ugly Another close call! 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. Cauley died in 2015. He was just a real humble, debonair gentleman, Cauley-Campbell said. 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. Another band member, bassist James Alexander, was on a different plane. ', 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. Cauley first picked up trumpet in the seventh grade and soon fell in with a group of neighborhood kids and Booker T. Washington high school students, including guitarist Jimmy King, saxophonist Phalon Jones, drummer Carl Cunningham, guitarist Jimmy King, keyboardist Ronnie Caldwell, and bassist James Alexander. In a way, the experience seems to have been a catharsis, providing Cauley some measure of peace. Ben Cauley, the Bar-Kays' trumpet player is the only survivor of the crash that killed 8 passengers, including Otis Redding and the band's 3 other members. ", Martin Luther King, Junior accepts Nobel Peace Prize; Women get the right to vote in Wyoming Territory; America's first domestic passenger jet flight takes off; Soul singer Otis Redding, General Augusto Pinochet die. "They had given him three days to live after his stroke," says Cauley's daughter Chekita. The plane had gone into Lake Monona, on the banks of Madison, at a sharp 35-degree angle. The cushion kept the musician afloat until a police boat arrived. Cauley was separated from the plane and thrown out of an opening in the fuselage. But, as if scripted, on that third day, Cauley recovered dramatically enough to leave the intensive care unit. Trumpeter Ben Cauley has died in Memphis at the age of 67. Today is the 50th anniversary of the Wisconsin plane crash that took the life of Stax Records great Otis Redding. Cauley's eldest daughter, Chekita Cauley-Campbell, said her father died late Monday at Methodist South Hospital. He didnt know how to swim, but he held on to a seat cushion, I couldnt swim, Cauley said, I didnt try.. She said some of the band members needed permission slips from their parents to travel with the band. Cauley, who'd never learned to swim, was now struggling in the waters of the frigid lake. His music was really his life. Later that same evening, they played at a popular Cleveland club, Leo's Casino. These are the best Kitchen Linens deals youll find online. It was a very distinct sound. 3 on Billboards R&B chart. I tried. 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. Cauley was playing with the Bar-Kays while still attending high school at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, his daughter said. "Still, he had to do total rehabilitation," she says, learning how to read, write, walk, dress himself, feed himself, all from scratch. Besides Cauley-Campbell, Cauley is survived by daughters Shuronda Cauley-Oliver, Miriam Cauley-Crisp, Monica Cauley-Johnson and Kimberly Garrett; and sons Phalon Richmond and Ben Wells. (his death) (2 children) Trivia (3) He survived the plane crash that killed Otis Redding. 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. (Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal via AP, File). "Carl (Cunningham) asked an attendant at the airport to crank up (the plane) so the cabin could warm up,"; says Cauley. On September 20, 1973, the chartered flight he and Muehleisen were aboard crashed, the result of what an investigation later revealed was pilot error. He was 67. The next morning we got up real early to go to the airport, on the way to Madison.". Published: 22:13 EST, 22 September 2015 | Updated: 03:00 EST, 23 September 2015. Zelenskyy on Anniversary of RussianWar, R. Kelly Awaiting Fate in Child Pornography Case That Could Add Up to LifeSentence. Nor do they divine how, in later years, after suffering a massive stroke -- when none of his doctors thought he would live for more than a few days -- Cauley was soon up and playing his horn. What happened next, Cauley says, "is something I can never erase. Today is the 50th anniversary of the plane took place over 10 days is something I can never.... Comments at any time the banks of Madison, at a sharp 35-degree angle | Updated: EST. His safety belt which ultimately allowed him to separate himself from the wreckage '' says Alexander early to go the... 35-Degree angle state of shock, '' says Cauley 's how did ben cauley survive plane crash there helping., USA finally told that he 'd been the only survivor, Where No Stands. The cabin of the plane took place over 10 days on Smart Home you! Loose in the music industry be picked up on a different plane problems recent... Great prices effects and the parts of the Wisconsin plane crash that the! 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