King Curtis

Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophonist known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, blues, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer. Adept at tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, he was best known for his distinctive riffs and solos such as on the Coasters' "Yakety Yak", which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and his own "Memphis Soul Stew". The son of Ethel Montgomery, he was born Curtis Montgomery in Fort Worth, Texas, and was adopted, with his sister Josephine Allen, by Josie and William Ousley. Curtis Ousley attended I.M. Terrell High School, and studied and performed music with schoolmate Ornette Coleman....(Read more).

Curtis met an untimely and violent end, being stabbed to death in a fight in 1971. AllMusic called him "the last of the great R&B tenor sax giants."

Links to Peel
JP had a taste for uncontrolled saxophone records: Memphis Soul Stew, featuring Curtis' wild and florid solos, was his best-known song, although Peel appears not to have played it. Instead, his collaboration with Eric Clapton, Teasin, was featured more than once, according to existing track listings. When interviewed by Tommy Vance for the Friday Rock Show, Clapton listed this as his favourite performance, noting its sweetness and spontaneity (it was recorded in about 10 minutes). 

Festive Fifty Entries

 * NoneKing Curtis - Teasin'

Sessions

 * None

Other Shows Played

 * 06 June 1970: 'Teasin' (7")' (Atlantic)
 * 29 September 1972: 'Teasin’ (LP-The History Of Eric Clapton)' (Polydor) with Eric Clapton
 * 03 May 1973: 'Pots And Pans (LP - )' (unknown)
 * 31 May 2000: 'Lil Brother (Compilation LP - Hot Sax, Cool Licks)' (Ace)
 * John Peel Tape 6 Side A: 'Lil Brother (Compilation LP - Hot Sax, Cool Licks)' (Ace)