Kansas City Express

In the mid 1960s, one of Missouri's premiere soul and funk outfits debuted under the name, Fabulous Elites. This 11-piece group first recorded at the legendary Damon studios and included the four Bedell brothers who would later help form The Kansas City Express In a predominately white area where country music was the radio standard, the Kansas City Express literally broke the mold. While only one member hailed from Kansas City, the group stuck with its name, taking Springfield, Missouri and the surrounding area by storm. This single, recorded at American Artists Studio, was the band's first and only 45. It became a local hit in the Springfield area. Their showmanship even caught the eye of a local friend who had ties to Stax records. The legendary Memphis-based label signed the Express, but the relationship was not to be. In an unfortunate twist of fate, Stax disbanded just four months after the Express became one of the last groups it ever signed.