Majestic saxophonist *“King” Curtis Montgomery* died tragically young but in his brief career etched indelible marks on pop music. From amiably manic instrumental breaks powering novelty hits by The Coasters to sophisticated improvisations recorded live behind Aretha Franklin and on his own, he helped define eras in R&B, soul, jazz, and rock. Born in 1934 in Fort Worth, Texas, he attended public schools where at 12 he took up saxophone, in time sometimes performing with fellow Terrell High student Ornette Coleman. Influenced by Illinois Jacquet, Lester Young, Louis Jordan, and other towering figures, he earned offers of college scholarships but instead joined Lionel Hampton’s band. Besides adapting to the touring life and becoming a producer, he learned to arrange and compose. Soon he had moved to New York City, drawn by Gotham’s busy recording studio scene. He played on sides marketed by Atco, Atlantic, Prestige, and Capitol, backing artists from Franklin, LaVern Baker, and Andy Williams to The Coasters. His “Yakety Yak” solo influenced Boots Randolph’s 1965 hit “Yakety Sax,” which in 1969 became the closing theme of comedian Benny Hill’s popular TV show. Montgomery charted under his own name with hits like “Memphis Soul Stew,” “Ode to Billy Joe,” “Soul Twist,” and “Soul Serenade.” He and guitarist Duane Allman played on Joe South’s “Games People Play.” On a lighter note, Montgomery contributed wittily tasteless riffs to a Mad Magazine parody single, “It’s a Gas.” The theme for the hit TV show “Soul Train” was a 1971 Montgomery original. That year Atlantic released the LP King Curtis Live at the Fillmore West, recorded with Aretha Franklin’s band, The Kingpins, during a stand at the legendary San Francisco showplace. That August, in a late-night confrontation with a man loitering outside his residence on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Curtis Montgomery was fatally stabbed. He was 37. — Michael Dolan

King Curtis – Memphis Soul Stew
Album: King Size Soul
Album Released: August 1967 on Atlantic

_Written By:_ Curtis Ousley

_Performed By:_

King Curtis — tenor saxophone, tenor
Reggie Young — electric guitar
Bobby Wood — piano
Jimmy Mitchell — tenor saxophone, tenor
Tommy Cogbill — bass guitar
RF Taylor — guitar
Floyd Newman — saxophone
Bowlegs Miller — trumpet
Gene Chrisman — drums
Bobby Emmons — organ
Charlie Chalmers — tenor saxophone, tenor

_Produced By:_
King Curtis, Tommy Cogbill

_Engineered By:_
Chips Moman, Darryl Carter

🔔 Subscribe to the Rhino Channel! https://Rhino.lnk.to/YouTubeSubID

💌 Let’s keep in touch! Join the Rhino mailing list to be the first to hear about our new music and merch https://Rhino.lnk.to/emailLY

Stay connected with RHINO on…

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RHINO
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rhino_records
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@rhinorecords
X https://twitter.com/Rhino_Records

**********

RHINO is the ultimate destination for timeless music and unforgettable moments in pop culture! Since 1978, Rhino has been the world’s leading pop culture label specializing in curation of music from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ’80s and ’90s.

We upload classic music and videos from our vault every week so be sure to subscribe and ring the bell 🔔 ! If there’s something you want to see or hear, let us know in the comments 🗣️

Visit Rhino.com to shop our vast catalog of vinyl, CDs, boxed sets, and merchandise. We regularly announce exciting new releases. Join our mailing list via the link in our bio so you don’t miss a chance to expand your collection!