The Bar-Kays are a popular soul, R&B, and funk group which began performing in 1966 and continue to perform today, although with only one original member. The group had dozens of charting singles from the 1960s to the 1980s, including "Soul Finger" (Pop #17, R&B #3) in 1967, and "Son of Shaft" (R&B #10) in 1972. History The Bar-Kays began in Memphis, Tennessee as a favorite recording studio session musician group, backing major artists at Stax Records.