King Curtis

King Curtis

3615 fans

At a time when smoky jazz clubs came alive with jumping be-bop and vibrant, free-form R&B, King Curtis was the virtuoso saxophone player who lit up New York and recorded with The Allman Brothers, Andy Williams and Wilson Pickett. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Curtis Ousley started playing at 12 and turned down scholarship offers from a host of music schools to join Lionel Hampton's big band in 1950. He became an acclaimed session musician for Prestige and Capitol Records and famously played on The Coasters' classic Yakety Yak, as well as records by Solomon Burke, Bobby Darin and Buddy Holly's track Reminiscing (for which he was credited as co-writing). His debut solo single Soul Twist topped the R&B charts in 1962 and became his big signature tune, and he had further success with the hits Memphis Soul Stew and Soul Serenade, before signing to Atlantic Records and forming The Kingpins as a backing group for Aretha Franklin. With Franklin he opened for The Beatles at their legendary Shea Stadium gig and he collaborated with Eric Clapton on the struttin' funk jam Teasin'. Sadly, just as he was hitting his prime and recording sessions for John Lennon's Imagine album in 1971, he was stabbed to death after an argument with a pair of drug dealers.

Top tracks

01
Memphis Soul Stew
King Curtis
The Platinum Collection
02:57
Writer: Curtis Ousley / Composers: Curtis Ousley
08
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) (Live at Fillmore West, 3/5/1971)
King Curtis
Live At The Fillmore West
02:40
Composers: Lee Garrett - Lulu Hardway - Stevie Wonder - Syretta Wright
02
One Mint Julep
King Curtis
The Best Of King Curtis
02:38
Writer: Rudolph Toombs / Composers: Rudolph Toombs
07
Instant Groove
King Curtis
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
02:24
Writer: Curtis Ousley
05
Games People Play
King Curtis
Instant Groove
02:47
Writer: Joe South
03
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
King Curtis
Sweet Soul
03:21
Writer: B. Strong - N Whitfield
05
Fever
King Curtis
Playboy Jazz: Cocktail Mix
02:43
Writer: Eddie Cooley - John Davenport / Composers: Eddie Cooley - John Davenport
10
Soul Twist
King Curtis
Soul Music, Vol. 2
02:39
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
12
Ode to Billy Joe (Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, 3/5/1971)
King Curtis
Live at Fillmore West (Deluxe Version)
04:35
Composers: Bobbie Gentry
02
A Whiter Shade of Pale (Live at Fillmore West, 3/7/1971)
King Curtis
Live At The Fillmore West
05:33
Writer: Brooker - G.Brooker - K. Reid - Reid / Composers: Gary Brooker - Keith Reid
08
I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)
King Curtis
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
02:46
Writer: R. Shannon
01
Memphis Soul Stew (Live at Fillmore West, 3/7/1971)
King Curtis
Live at Fillmore West (Deluxe Version)
07:40
Writer: Curtis Ousley / Composers: Curtis Ousley
04
Wichita Lineman
King Curtis
Instant Groove
03:07
Writer: Jimmy Webb
02
A Whiter Shade of Pale
King Curtis
King Size Soul
03:55
Writer: Brooker - G.Brooker - K. Reid - Reid / Composers: Gary Brooker - Keith Reid
03
Whole Lotta Love (Live at Fillmore West, 3/6/1971)
King Curtis
Live at Fillmore West (Deluxe Version)
02:15
Writer: Jimmy Page - John Bonham - John Paul Jones - Robert Plant / Composers: Jimmy Page - John Bonham - John Paul Jones - Robert Plant
03
Foot Pattin'
King Curtis
Instant Groove
04:48
Writer: Curtis Ousley
01
Ode to Billie Joe
King Curtis
King Size Soul
02:50
Writer: B. Gentry
14
Memphis Soul Stew (Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, 3/5/1971)
King Curtis
Live at Fillmore West (Deluxe Version)
05:04
Writer: Curtis Ousley / Composers: Curtis Ousley
59
Whole Lotta Love (Single Version)
King Curtis
The Complete ATCO Singles
02:42
Writer: Jimmy Page - John Bonham - John Paul Jones - Robert Plant / Composers: Jimmy Page - John Bonham - John Paul Jones - Robert Plant
02
Hey Joe
King Curtis
Instant Groove
02:56
Writer: B. Roberts / Composers: B. Roberts
05
A Whiter Shade of Pale (Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, 3/5/1971)
King Curtis
Don't Fight the Feeling - the Complete Aretha Franklin & King Curtis Live at Fillmore West
04:41
Writer: Brooker - G.Brooker - K. Reid - Reid / Composers: Gary Brooker - Keith Reid
08
Mr. Bojangles (Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, 3/5/1971)
King Curtis
Don't Fight the Feeling - the Complete Aretha Franklin & King Curtis Live at Fillmore West
04:48
Writer: Jerry Jeff Walker
07
Ridin' Thumb
King Curtis
Everybody's Talking
03:12
Writer: J. Seals
08
Honey Dripper (Pt. 2)
King Curtis
The Complete ATCO Singles
02:22
Writer: Liggins / Composers: Liggins
02
Hot Rod
King Curtis
King Neptune's Guitar
01:55
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
03
The Weight
King Curtis
An Anthology Vol. 2
02:44
Composers: Robbie Robertson
05
Green Onions
King Curtis
Plays Great Memphis Hits
02:22
Writer: Al Jackson Jr. - Booker T. Jones - Lewie Steinberg - Steve Cropper
09
Let It Be
King Curtis
Get Ready
02:54
Writer: John Lennon - Paul McCartney
13
In Passing (Remastered)
Jimmy Forrest
Anthology: The Definitive Selection (Remastered)
07:30
Writer: Oliver E Nelson / Composers: Oliver E Nelson
09
And I Love Her
King Curtis
That Lovin' Feeling
02:29
Writer: John Lennon - Paul Mccartney
11
Last Night
King Curtis
Plays Great Memphis Hits
02:32
Writer: C. Axton - C. Moman - F. Newman - G. Caple - J. Smith
06
When a Man Loves a Woman
King Curtis
King Size Soul
02:56
Writer: A. Wright - C. Lewis
03
Whole Lotta Love (Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, 3/5/1971)
King Curtis
Don't Fight the Feeling - the Complete Aretha Franklin & King Curtis Live at Fillmore West
02:28
Writer: Jimmy Page - John Bonham - John Paul Jones - Robert Plant / Composers: Jimmy Page - John Bonham - John Paul Jones - Robert Plant
01
Soul Street
Jimmy Forrest
Soul Street
09:07
Composers: Jimmy Forrest
09
Jeep's Blues
King Curtis
Soul Meeting
06:55
Composers: Johnny Hodges - Duke Ellington
04
Them Changes (Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, 3/5/1971)
King Curtis
Don't Fight the Feeling - the Complete Aretha Franklin & King Curtis Live at Fillmore West
05:33
Writer: Buddy Miles
09
C.C. Rider
King Curtis
King Size Soul
03:15
Writer: C. Willis
13
One Mint Julep
King Curtis
Ultra-Lounge: Saxophobia
05:15
Composers: Rudolph Toombs
06
Sing a Simple Song
King Curtis
Instant Groove
02:51
Writer: Sylvester Stewart
02
You're the One
King Curtis
Everybody's Talking
03:31
Writer: S. Stewart
11
Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours (Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, 3/5/1971)
King Curtis
Don't Fight the Feeling - the Complete Aretha Franklin & King Curtis Live at Fillmore West
02:49
Composers: Lee Garrett - Lulu Hardway - Stevie Wonder - Syretta Wright
09
Anacruses
Oliver Nelson
Birth of a Jazz Legend
05:42
02
Watermelon Man
King Curtis
The Best of King Curtis
02:33
Composers: Curtis Ousley
26
Whole Lotta Love (Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, 3/6/1971)
King Curtis
Don't Fight the Feeling - the Complete Aretha Franklin & King Curtis Live at Fillmore West
02:15
Writer: Jimmy Page - John Bonham - John Paul Jones - Robert Plant / Composers: Jimmy Page - John Bonham - John Paul Jones - Robert Plant

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  • Discography
Albums
Blowin' Off Steam
1964 MTI
20-05-2022
Blowin' Off Steam
01
Home Cookin'
King Curtis
Blowin' Off Steam
04:13
Writer: Curtis Ousley / Composers: Curtis Ousley
02
Blowin' Off Steam
King Curtis
Blowin' Off Steam
06:16
Writer: Freddie Mitchell - Danny Small - Curtis Ousley / Composers: Freddie Mitchell - Danny Small - Curtis Ousley
03
Clementine
King Curtis
Blowin' Off Steam
01:59
Writer: Percy Montrose / Composers: Percy Montrose
04
Dark Eyes
King Curtis
Blowin' Off Steam
03:39
Writer: Leslie - Russell / Composers: Leslie - Russell
05
Sometimes I'm Happy
King Curtis
Blowin' Off Steam
02:42
Writer: Clifford Grey - Irving Caesar - Vincent Youmans / Composers: Clifford Grey - Irving Caesar - Vincent Youmans
06
Soul Groove Pt.1
King Curtis
Blowin' Off Steam
02:40
Writer: Freddie Mitchell - Danny Small - Curtis Ousley / Composers: Freddie Mitchell - Danny Small - Curtis Ousley
07
Sweet Georgia Brown
King Curtis
Blowin' Off Steam
02:33
Writer: Kenneth Casey - Ben Bernie - Maceo Pinkard / Composers: Kenneth Casey - Ben Bernie - Maceo Pinkard
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Soul Twist with King Curtis
1962 MTI
17-09-2021
Soul Twist with King Curtis
01
Soul Twist
King Curtis
Soul Twist with King Curtis
02:47
Composers: Curtis Ousley
02
Twisting Time
King Curtis
Soul Twist with King Curtis
02:40
Composers: Curtis Ousley
03
What'd I Say
King Curtis
Soul Twist with King Curtis
03:22
Composers: Ray Charles
04
I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)
King Curtis
Soul Twist with King Curtis
02:50
Composers: Barbara George
05
Sack O' Woe Twist
King Curtis
Soul Twist with King Curtis
02:37
Composers: Julian Adderley
06
Camp Meetin' (Harmonica Twist)
King Curtis
Soul Twist with King Curtis
02:31
Composers: Curtis Ousley - Mac Pierce
07
Wobble Twist
King Curtis
Soul Twist with King Curtis
02:31
Composers: Leslie Cooper
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
King Curtis: Sideman
2021 Fire/Fury/Sky-Rocket/Candlelight
05-03-2021
King Curtis: Sideman
01
Woman, Woman, Woman
King Curtis
King Curtis: Sideman
02:40
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
02
Off to Work Again
King Curtis
King Curtis: Sideman
02:37
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
03
Korea, Korea
King Curtis
King Curtis: Sideman
03:15
Composers: King Curtis
04
Handy Andy
King Curtis
King Curtis: Sideman
02:17
Composers: King Curtis
05
Lady Love
King Curtis
King Curtis: Sideman
02:07
Composers: King Curtis
06
Always
King Curtis
King Curtis: Sideman
02:13
Composers: King Curtis
07
Your Love
King Curtis
King Curtis: Sideman
02:39
Composers: King Curtis
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Durtis
1675873 Records DK
14-12-2020
Durtis
01
Bass Killer
King Curtis
Durtis
02:50
Writer: Curtis G / Composers: Curtis G
02
CityLights
King Curtis
Durtis
02:09
Writer: Curtis G / Composers: Curtis G
03
Ice Cream Man
King Curtis
Durtis
01:43
Composers: King Curtis
04
STUCK (feat. Lexicon & Log Dog)
King Curtis
Durtis
03:14
Writer: Curtis G - Averil L - Lex P / Composers: Curtis G - Averil L - Lex P - Kellan G
05
Gun in My Holster (feat. Lexicon & Log Dog)
King Curtis
Durtis
02:26
Writer: Curtis G - Lex P - Averil L / Composers: Curtis G - Lex P - Averil L
06
Living
King Curtis
Durtis
02:09
Composers: King Curtis
07
Tangerine (feat. Log Dog)
King Curtis
Durtis
02:34
Writer: Curtis G - Averil L / Composers: Curtis G - Averil L - Kellan G
The Soul of King Curtis
2019 Blue Lagoon
28-06-2019
The Soul of King Curtis
01
Soul Twist
King Curtis
The Soul of King Curtis
02:50
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
02
Twisting Time
King Curtis
The Soul of King Curtis
02:43
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
03
What'd I Say, Pt. 1
King Curtis
The Soul of King Curtis
02:29
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
04
What'd I Say, Pt. 2
King Curtis
The Soul of King Curtis
03:22
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
05
I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)
King Curtis
The Soul of King Curtis
02:54
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
06
Sack o' Woe (Twist)
King Curtis
The Soul of King Curtis
02:40
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
07
Camp Meetin' (AKA Harmonica Twist)
King Curtis
The Soul of King Curtis
02:35
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
Access the complete album info (34 songs)
Live All over the Place
2018 ToneMaster
18-12-2018
Live All over the Place
01
Home Cookin'
King Curtis
Live All over the Place
04:12
Composers: Curtis Ousley
02
Memphis Soul Stew (Live)
King Curtis
Live All over the Place
06:02
Composers: Curtis Ousley
03
Ridin' Thumb
King Curtis
Live All over the Place
03:25
Composers: Curtis Ousley
04
Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Live)
King Curtis
Live All over the Place
05:22
Writer: William Thomas Dupree / Composers: Curtis Ousley
05
Poor Boy Blues (Live)
King Curtis
Live All over the Place
09:24
Writer: William Thomas Dupree / Composers: Curtis Ousley
06
Sneaky Pete (Live)
King Curtis
Live All over the Place
07:20
Writer: William Thomas Dupree / Composers: Curtis Ousley
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
2018 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
07-08-2018
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
01
Memphis Soul Stew
King Curtis
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
02:58
Writer: Curtis Ousley / Composers: Curtis Ousley
02
A Whiter Shade of Pale (Instrumental Version)
King Curtis
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
03:55
Writer: Gary Brooker - Keith Reid / Composers: Gary Brooker - Keith Reid
03
Hold On I'm Coming
King Curtis
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
02:40
Writer: Cole Porter - Isaac Hayes / Composers: Cole Porter - Isaac Hayes
04
Peter Gunn
King Curtis
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
02:56
Writer: Henry Mancini
05
Chili
King Curtis
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
02:09
Writer: C. Ousley
06
Green Onions
King Curtis
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
02:22
Writer: A. Jackson - B. Jones - L. Steinberg - S Cropper
07
Instant Groove
King Curtis
King Curtis: Memphis Soul Stew
02:24
Writer: Curtis Ousley
Access the complete album info (25 songs)
Sax Virtuoso
14-10-2016
Sax Virtuoso
01
Air Raid (Curly Hamner)
King Curtis
Sax Virtuoso
02:32
02
Soul Twist
King Curtis
Sax Virtuoso
02:44
03
Wobble Twist
King Curtis
Sax Virtuoso
02:28
04
Twisting with the King
King Curtis
Sax Virtuoso
02:43
05
Good to the Sons
King Curtis
Sax Virtuoso
02:16
06
Get with It
King Curtis
Sax Virtuoso
02:24
07
Walk Awhile
King Curtis
Sax Virtuoso
02:27
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
The Complete ATCO Singles
2020 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
01-01-2015
The Complete ATCO Singles
01
The Birth of the Blues
King Curtis
The Complete ATCO Singles
02:36
Writer: Bruce Ray Brown - DeSylva - Henderson / Composers: Bruce Ray Brown - DeSylva - Henderson
02
Jest Smoochin'
King Curtis And His Royal Men
The Complete ATCO Singles
02:47
Writer: Curtis - Eric Baker / Composers: Curtis - Eric Baker
03
Ific
King Curtis
The Complete ATCO Singles
02:04
Writer: Ousley / Composers: Ousley
04
You Made Me Love You
King Curtis
The Complete ATCO Singles
02:01
Writer: McCarthy - Monaco / Composers: McCarthy - Monaco
05
Castle Rock
King Curtis
The Complete ATCO Singles
02:09
Writer: Drake - Sears - Shirl / Composers: Drake - Sears - Shirl
06
Chili
King Curtis
The Complete ATCO Singles
02:09
Writer: C. Ousley
07
Honey Dripper (Pt. 1)
King Curtis
The Complete ATCO Singles
02:04
Writer: Liggins / Composers: Liggins
Access the complete album info (66 songs)
Monkey Shout
04-06-2014
Monkey Shout
01
Air Raid
King Curtis
Monkey Shout
02:33
02
Soul Twist
King Curtis
Monkey Shout
02:38
03
Twistingtime
King Curtis
Monkey Shout
02:33
04
Wobble Twist
King Curtis
Monkey Shout
02:24
05
Twisting with the King
King Curtis
Monkey Shout
02:39
06
Walkin' on My Thin Sole
King Curtis
Monkey Shout
02:18
07
Walk a While
King Curtis
Monkey Shout
02:31
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Didn't He Play
05-05-2014
Didn't He Play
01
Home Cookin'
King Curtis
Didn't He Play
04:23
02
Soul Groove, Pt. I
King Curtis
Didn't He Play
02:43
03
Soul Groove, Pt. II
King Curtis
Didn't He Play
03:23
04
Pcikin' Chickin'
King Curtis
Didn't He Play
02:17
05
Clementine
King Curtis
Didn't He Play
02:03
06
Blowin' off Steam
King Curtis
Didn't He Play
06:19
07
Didn't He Play!
King Curtis
Didn't He Play
02:27
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Your Love
2014 Rapier Music
02-05-2014
Your Love
01
Shoppin' For Clothes
King Curtis
Your Love
02:59
Writer: HARRIS KENT - LEIBER JERRY - STOLLER MIKE / Composers: HARRIS KENT - LEIBER JERRY - STOLLER MIKE
02
Madisonville (Part 1)
King Curtis
Your Love
02:14
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
03
Better Forget Him
King Curtis
Your Love
02:48
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
04
Off To Work Again
King Curtis
Your Love
02:38
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
05
More Juice
King Curtis
Your Love
03:03
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
06
Besame Mucho (Part 2)
King Curtis
Your Love
02:15
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
07
Tossin' And Turnin'
King Curtis
Your Love
02:22
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
That Is Rock & Roll
2014 Rapier Music
02-05-2014
That Is Rock & Roll
01
Just Multiply
King Curtis
That Is Rock & Roll
02:27
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
02
Yakety Yak
King Curtis
That Is Rock & Roll
01:56
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
03
Fine Little Girl
King Curtis
That Is Rock & Roll
02:30
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
04
Rock And Ree-Ah-Zole
King Curtis
That Is Rock & Roll
02:29
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
05
This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'
King Curtis
That Is Rock & Roll
01:48
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
06
That Is Rock & Roll
King Curtis
That Is Rock & Roll
02:26
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
07
When Sin Stops
King Curtis
That Is Rock & Roll
02:10
Writer: Bob Venables / Composers: Bob Venables
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
Wicky Wacky
2014 Rapier Music
02-05-2014
Wicky Wacky
01
The King's Henchmen
King Curtis
Wicky Wacky
02:50
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
02
Birth Of The Blues
King Curtis
Wicky Wacky
02:35
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
03
Battle Royal
King Curtis
Wicky Wacky
03:14
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
04
Wicky Wacky, Part 1
King Curtis
Wicky Wacky
02:18
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
05
The Count And The King
King Curtis
Wicky Wacky
02:37
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
06
Jest Smoochin'
King Curtis
Wicky Wacky
02:45
Writer: Mac Houston Baker - Curtis Ousley / Composers: Mac Houston Baker - Curtis Ousley
07
Steel Guitar Rag
King Curtis
Wicky Wacky
02:33
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
King Neptune's Guitar
2014 Rapier Music
01-05-2014
King Neptune's Guitar
01
The Lone Prairie
King Curtis Combo
King Neptune's Guitar
02:08
Writer: King Curtis Combo / Composers: King Curtis Combo
02
Hot Rod
King Curtis
King Neptune's Guitar
01:55
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
03
Beatnik Hoedown
King Curtis
King Neptune's Guitar
01:50
Writer: King Curtis / Composers: King Curtis
04
My Babe
Sonny Jackson
King Neptune's Guitar
02:31
Writer: Sonny Jackson / Composers: Sonny Jackson
05
St. Louis Blues
Sonny Jackson
King Neptune's Guitar
02:39
Writer: Sonny Jackson / Composers: Sonny Jackson
06
Chill
King Curtis & His Orchestra
King Neptune's Guitar
02:09
Writer: His Orchestra - King Curtis / Composers: His Orchestra - King Curtis
07
Ific
King Curtis & His Orchestra
King Neptune's Guitar
02:03
Writer: His Orchestra - King Curtis / Composers: His Orchestra - King Curtis
Access the complete album info (16 songs)