King Curtis Ousley

Birth Name:
Curtis Montgomery
Birth Date:
February 7, 1934
Birth Place:
Fort Worth, Texas
Death Date:
November 13, 1971
Place of Death:
50 W. 86th Street, Manhattan, New York
Age:
37
Cause of Death:
Homicide - stabbed to death
Cemetery Name:
Pinelawn Memorial Park
Claim to Fame:
Music
Playing the saxophone when he was 12, King Curtis turned down college scholarships in order to join the Lionel Hampton Band and in 1952 moved to New York to become a session musician where he recorded Nat Adderley, Wynton Kelly, Buddy Holly, Andy Williams, The Coasters, The Five Keys, Aretha Franklin and many more. His saxophone virtuosity was widely admired in rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, blues, funk and soul jazz. King Curtis and his band, The Kingpins, backed Aretha Franklin. Curtis was stabbed to death by Juan Montanez, a vagrant drug addict on the front steps of his New York home on August 13, 1971. He was only 37.

Fun Fact

King Curtis last recording session was with John Lennon.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Pinelawn Memorial Park

2030 Wellwood Avenue

Farmingdale, New York, 11735

USA

North America

Grave Location:

Forsythia Court, Row 15, Tier D, West End

Photos:

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Read More About King Curtis Ousley:

Videos Featuring King Curtis Ousley:
King Curtis & The Kingpins - Memphis Soul Stew (Live)
Jackie Gleason Conducts Big Band with King Curtis
King Curtis & The Kingpins - Soul Serenade (Live)
King Curtis - Change Is Gonna Come

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claim_to_fame: Music

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popular name: Johnny Ace

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age: 25

cause_of_death: Accidental gunshot to the head

claim_to_fame: Music

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popular name: Janis Joplin

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age: 27

cause_of_death: Drug overdose - heroin

claim_to_fame: Music

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