The trumpeter was the only survivor of the plane crash that killed Otis Redding and other members of his band, The Bar-Kays.
They were on their way to a show in Madison before their twin-engine aircraft plunged into Lake Monona on Dec. 10, 1967, miles from the airport. Cauley was rescued from the lake's icy waters and suffered only minor injuries.
After being released from Methodist Hospital, Cauley left town so fast that he didn't pick up his trumpet or checkbook that authorities recovered from the water.
He has never returned - until now.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the crash, Cauley has agreed to appear at an event on Monday celebrating Redding's life.
Cauley, now 60, told The Associated Press he plans to say a few words and play a few songs on his trumpet. He said he will be sure to play "(Sittin' on) The Dock Of The Bay," which was recorded just three days before the crash and later topped the music charts.
"I knew one day I would come back," he said in a telephone interview from Memphis, where he lives. "There were a number of times that I thought about it but didn't have the strength. I'm coming this time."
In the interview, Cauley recalled how he was sleeping during the flight and woke up when he heard the airplane shaking and he could not breathe. He unbuckled his seatbelt and grabbed a seat cushion as the plane plunged into the lake and broke into pieces.
He clung to the cushion for about 20 minutes in the freezing water until a rescue boat arrived. It was too late for the others, who Cauley heard crying for help. Investigators never pinpointed a specific cause for the crash.
The coroner later visited his hospital bed to break the news that the 26-year-old Redding, an assistant, four band members and the pilot all died. Most of them were found still buckled into their seats.
"I was in shock," he said. "That day changed our lives."
Cauley went on to have a successful career in music after The Bar-Kays regrouped. He later played with Isaac Hayes, the Doobie Brothers and others.
Monday's tribute will be held at Monona Terrace convention center overlooking the lake, near the crash site.
A few hundred people are expected to attend the free event. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz will read a statement from Gov. Jim Doyle declaring Dec. 10 "Otis Redding Day" and local musicians will play his music.
A curator from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will give a presentation on Redding memorabilia, and organizers will also screen a newly released DVD called "Dreams to Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding."
To make sure the 40th anniversary was appropriately remembered, Madison radio industry consultant Tom Teuber, local music promoter Ken Adamany, newspaper columnist Doug Moe and others kicked around ideas. Fran Puleo, manager of community relations for Monona Terrace, said she helped track down Cauley and he agreed to come with his wife, Shirley. Cauley said he considered Redding a big brother and he thanks God for every minute they had together. He said he has been honored by Madison's tribute and his request to return: "That means so much."
