Editor’s Note: The Daily Music Break periodically re-posts great music that has been on the site before. This post originally appeared on April 30, 2012.
Albert King was not related to B.B. or, for that matter to Freddie, another great blues guitarist who would be King. They all were deeply connected, however. B.B. commented on Albert in his autobiography, Blues All Around Me:
He had his own sound that, far as I can see, had more influence on guys like Jimi Hendrix than I did. Sometimes I’d hear little pieces of myself in bluesmen like Buddy Guy, who I also love, but I think the heavy rockers looked to Albert as the main model.
His best known song is Born Under a Bad Sign (done here with Stevie Ray Vaughan). Other pieces that show King’s skills are I’ll Play the Blues for You, Stormy Monday (here with John Mayall) and Oh Pretty Woman.
The left-handed King played a Flying V upside down, sometimes while smoking a pipe. Here is a very good bio and discography.
(Home page: Grant Gouldon)
