Biography
Formed in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and originally known as the Royal Spades, the line-up comprised Steve Cropper (Stephen Lee Cropper, 21 October 1941, Dora, Missouri, USA; guitar), Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn (b. 24 November 1941, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; bass), Charles ‘Packy’ Axton (b. 17 February 1941, d. January 1974; tenor saxophone), Don Nix (b. 27 September 1941, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; baritone saxophone), Wayne Jackson (trumpet), Charlie Freeman (b. Memphis, Tennessee, USA, d. 31 January 1973; guitar), Jerry Lee ‘Smoochy’ Smith (organ) and Terry Johnson (drums). Although their rhythmic instrumental style was not unique in Memphis (Willie Mitchell followed a parallel path at Hi Records), the Mar-Keys were undoubted masters. Their debut hit, ‘Last Night’, reached number 3 in the US Billboard pop chart during the summer of 1961, establishing Satellite, its outlet, in the process. Within months, Satellite had altered its name...
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