The Bar-Kays are an American soul, R&B, and funk group formed in 1966. Notable for being Stax Records' house band and backing musicians for Otis Redding, their distinctive sound fuses rhythm and blues with elements of funk. Tragically, most original members died in the same plane crash as Redding in 1967, but the group was later reformed by surviving member Ben Cauley and newcomer James Alexander. Known for influential works such as "Soul Finger" and "Son of Shaft," the Bar-Kays have significantly contributed to the development of soul and funk music.