Promised the then 18-year-old Cornell Dupree a job if Dupree continued practicing the guitar. A year later, Curtis brought Dupree to New York to join Curtis's band, the King Pins.
Legendary saxophonist, highly respected for his studio work.
Has one son: Curtis, Jr.
Son of Ethel Montgomery. and has one sister, Josephine Allen.
Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 6, 2000.