The Mar Keys
| The Mar Keys | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Genre (s) | Soul , Memphis Soul, Southern Soul |
| founding | 1958 |
| resolution | 1971 |
| Founding members | |
guitar |
Steve Cropper |
bass |
Donald "Duck" Dunn |
Keyboards |
Jerry Lee "Smoochie" Smith |
Baritone saxophone |
Don Nix |
Tenor saxophone |
Charles "Packy" Axton |
Trumpet |
Wayne Jackson |
Drums |
Terry Johnson |
The Mar-Keys were an American soul band from Memphis and the first studio band from the soul label Stax Records . In addition to their musical qualities, what is remarkable about the Mar-Keys is that they played black music as a white band . They contributed to the development of soul music in the 1960s.
Band history
Although they had only one hit, they were one of the most important bands in the Memphis music scene. They were formed as a college band under the name The Royal Spades , and when they made their first record they changed their name to "The Mar-Keys", a play on "marquee" (awning) that was in front of the Stax studio gave, and key (key). Even though they were a popular session band, they also released records under their own name. The single Last Night / Night Before (Stax 107) from July 1961 became her biggest chart success, reaching # 3 in the pop charts and # 2 in the R&B charts. There is a lack of clarity about the musicians who were there when the master tape was recorded. Originally the song was just a riff that was worked out over the course of half a year, which explains the discussions about the cast. Donald Dunn is certain that he was not there at the master session, but he was at the penultimate shot. The song became the first nationwide hit for Stax Records. Pop-Eye Stroll , The Morning After and Philly Dog followed, but couldn't achieve the success of Last Night.
The Mar-Keys became the Stax Records studio band owned by Charles "Packy" Axton's mother and uncle, although, as was the custom with Stax, there were also other musicians involved in the recordings. They have been featured on many of the label's significant recordings. But other studios also used them as a session band, such as FAME Records in Muscle Shoals , Alabama. As a touring band, they accompanied William Bell, Sam & Dave , Wilson Pickett , Eddie Floyd , Otis Redding and other greats of Southern Soul.
Various groups later developed from the Mar Keys. 1962 left Steve Cropper and Donald Dunn, the band and formed with Booker T. Jones and Al Jackson, Jr. Booker T. & the MG's . Wayne Jackson formed the Memphis Horns with saxophone player Andrew Love and baritone saxophonist Floyd Newman . Packy Axton formed the Packers, who had a hit (Hole In The Wall) in the R&B charts (# 5) in 1965 . Don Nix was working on a solo career but later became a producer and worked with greats like Jeff Beck , John Mayall , Albert King , Freddie King and Delaney & Bonnie . Steve Cropper and Donald Dunn played for The Blues Brothers in the 1970s and 1980s and were also featured in the film of the same name . The band played in various line-ups throughout the 1960s, but Booker T. & the MG's took over the role of Stax Records' studio band during this time. In 1971 they finally officially dissolved.
Discography
Albums
- 1961: The Last Night! Atlantic
- 1962: Do the Pop-Eye Atlantic
- 1966: The Great Memphis Sound Atlantic
- 1967: Back to Back Atlantic
- 1968: Mellow Jelly Atlantic
- 1969: Damifiknow! ZYX Music
- 1970: Memphis Horns Cotillion
- 1971: Memphis Experience Stax
- 1976: High on Music RCA
Singles
- 1961: Last Night / Night Before (Stax 107)
- 1962: Morning After / Diana (Stax 112)
- 1962: About Noon / Sack O-Woe (Stax 114)
- 1962: Foxy / One Degree North (Stax 115)
- 1962: Popeye Stroll / Po-Dunk (Stax 121)
- 1962: What's Happenin '/ You Got It (Stax 124)
- 1962: Sack O Woe / Sailor Man Waltz (Stax 129)
- 1963: Bo-Time / The Dribble (Stax 133)
- 1964: Bush Bash / Beach Bash (Stax 156)
- 1965: Banana Juice / The Shovel (Stax 166)
- 1965: Grab This Thing Part 1 / Grab This Thing Part 2 (Stax 181)
- 1966: Philly Dog / Honey Pot (Stax 185)
- 1969: Double or Nothing / Knock On Wood (Stax 0029)
Individual evidence
- ^ A b AMG biography of Jason Ankeny
- ↑ All that Jazz
- ^ Peter Guralnick (1986). Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom . ISBN 0-316-33273-9 . (German Bosworth Music 2009 p. 145)
- ^ History of Rock - The Mar Keys
- ^ The Mar-Keys Page
- ^ Stax Records