Albert King stands as one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time. His distinctive string-bending technique and powerful vocals helped shape the sound of blues and rock music for generations to come. Known as the “Velvet Bulldozer” due to his imposing physical presence and smooth playing style King left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Born on a cotton plantation in Mississippi in 1923 King taught himself to play guitar on a homemade instrument. His unique approach included playing left-handed on a right-handed guitar strung upside down – a technique that created his signature sound. This unconventional style influenced countless guitarists including Eric Clapton Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix who incorporated elements of King’s playing into their own music.
Albert King
Albert King dominated the blues scene from the 1950s through the 1980s with his distinctive left-handed guitar playing style. Standing 6’4″ tall and weighing 250 pounds, King earned the nickname “The Velvet Bulldozer” for his smooth vocals paired with his imposing physical presence.
Born Albert Nelson on April 25, 1923, in Indianola, Mississippi, King’s musical journey began with a homemade instrument crafted from a cigar box. His signature instrument became the Gibson Flying V guitar, which he named “Lucy.”
King’s recording career peaked at Stax Records from 1966 to 1975, producing classic albums:
Born Under a Bad Sign (1967)
Years Gone By (1969)
I’ll Play the Blues for You (1972)
His innovative guitar techniques included:
Single-string bending with extreme pitch variations
Playing left-handed on an upside-down right-handed guitar
Creating sustained notes through precise finger pressure
Using minimal chord progressions for maximum emotional impact
Notable achievements in King’s career:
Year
Achievement
1983
Blues Foundation Hall of Fame Induction
1984
Guitar Player Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award
1990
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
2013
Grammy Hall of Fame (Born Under a Bad Sign album)
King influenced generations of guitarists through his performances at major venues like the Fillmore West in San Francisco. His collaborations with artists across genres, including Stevie Ray Vaughan in the 1983 television special “In Session,” demonstrated his versatility as a blues master.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Albert King’s journey began on April 25, 1923, on a cotton plantation in Indianola, Mississippi. His early experiences in the Deep South shaped his musical identity and laid the foundation for his future success as a blues legend.
Growing Up in Mississippi
Born Albert Nelson, King spent his formative years working in the cotton fields with his family. Living in a sharecropping household with 13 siblings, he experienced the harsh realities of rural Mississippi life during the Great Depression. At age eight, he constructed his first instrument—a crude guitar made from a cigar box and wire—marking his initial foray into music.
First Musical Influences
Baptist church hymns formed King’s earliest musical exposure, where he sang in the gospel choir. His primary guitar influences included Blind Lemon Jefferson T-Bone Walker. King developed his distinctive left-handed playing style on a right-handed guitar by necessity, as proper left-handed instruments were unavailable. Local blues musicians introduced him to the basics of guitar playing, though he remained largely self-taught. By age 15, he performed at local juke joints, developing the powerful vocal style that complemented his innovative guitar techniques.
Key Early Life Facts
Details
Birth Name
Albert Nelson
Birth Date
April 25, 1923
Birthplace
Indianola, Mississippi
First Instrument
Homemade cigar box guitar
Early Performance Age
15 years old
Number of Siblings
13
Rise to Fame in the Blues World
Albert King’s ascent to blues stardom accelerated in the 1960s through a combination of innovative guitar techniques and powerful vocal performances. His distinctive approach to blues music created a foundation for modern electric blues.
Signing with Stax Records
King’s career transformed after signing with Stax Records in Memphis in 1966. The collaboration with Stax’s house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, produced the groundbreaking album “Born Under a Bad Sign” in 1967. Notable tracks include:
“Born Under a Bad Sign”
“Crosscut Saw”
“Oh Pretty Woman”
“The Hunter”
Creating His Signature Sound
King developed his signature sound through three key elements:
Guitar Technique:
Left-handed playing on a right-handed Gibson Flying V guitar
Dramatic string bending up to three full steps
Single-note lead lines with sustained vibrato
Use of the minor pentatonic scale in unconventional patterns
Integration of Memphis soul with traditional blues structures
Emphasis on the dominant seventh chord voicings
Gibson Flying V named “Lucy”
Custom amplification using solid-state amps
Minimal effects processing for pure tone
Signature Elements
Technical Details
Guitar Model
Gibson Flying V
Tuning
Standard E tuning
Amplification
Solid-state amps
String Gauge
.012-.054 set
Pick Style
Thumb and fingers
Notable Songs and Albums
Albert King’s discography spans multiple record labels and includes groundbreaking albums that defined electric blues. His signature songs showcase his distinctive guitar style and powerful vocals.
Born Under a Bad Sign
The title track “Born Under a Bad Sign” became King’s breakthrough hit in 1967, featuring the Stax Records house band Booker T. & the M.G.’s. The album includes essential blues standards:
“Crosscut Saw” peaked at #34 on the Billboard R&B charts
“The Hunter” showcases King’s innovative string-bending technique
“Personal Manager” features dynamic guitar solos
“Laundromat Blues” demonstrates his Memphis soul-blues fusion
Other Classic Recordings
King’s catalog contains several landmark albums that shaped modern blues:
Years Gone By (1969)
“Killing Floor” demonstrates his aggressive playing style
“Get Down” features extended instrumental passages
“As The Years Go Passing By” highlights his emotional vocals
Title track reached #31 on the Billboard R&B charts
“Breaking Up Somebody’s Home” became a blues standard
“I’ll Be Doggone” showcases his interpretation of Motown hits
Recorded live at the Fillmore Auditorium
“Blues Power” captures his raw concert energy
“San-Ho-Zay” displays his instrumental prowess
Album
Year
Peak Chart Position
Born Under a Bad Sign
1967
#49 R&B
Years Gone By
1969
#136 Billboard 200
I’ll Play the Blues for You
1972
#140 Billboard 200
Live Wire/Blues Power
1968
#32 R&B
Guitar Style and Musical Legacy
Albert King’s revolutionary guitar technique transformed blues music through his unorthodox approach of playing a right-handed Gibson Flying V guitar left-handed without restringing. His distinctive style combined dramatic string bends with a precise vibrato technique that created a signature sound unmatched in blues history.
The Flying V Guitar
King’s 1958 Gibson Flying V guitar, nicknamed “Lucy,” became an essential element of his sonic identity. He played the instrument upside-down with the low E string at the bottom, creating unique chord voicings through his unconventional fingering positions. The Flying V’s solid body construction enhanced his aggressive string-bending technique, while its distinctive shape complemented his imposing stage presence.
Influence on Rock Musicians
King’s guitar techniques directly shaped the playing styles of numerous rock legends:
Eric Clapton incorporated King’s string-bending methods into Cream’s blues-rock fusion
Jimi Hendrix adapted King’s use of controlled feedback in his psychedelic blues expressions
Gary Moore replicated King’s vibrato technique in his blues-rock compositions
Stevie Ray Vaughan studied King’s phrasing extensively, leading to their celebrated 1983 “In Session” collaboration
Mike Bloomfield integrated King’s single-note lead style into the Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Guitarist
Influenced Song
Original King Track
Eric Clapton
“Strange Brew”
“Oh Pretty Woman”
Gary Moore
“Still Got the Blues”
“Born Under a Bad Sign”
Stevie Ray Vaughan
“Pride and Joy”
“Personal Manager”
Awards and Recognition
Albert King earned multiple prestigious accolades throughout his five-decade career in blues music. The Blues Foundation Hall of Fame inducted King in 1983, recognizing his innovative guitar techniques and contributions to electric blues. Guitar Player Magazine presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984, acknowledging his influence on contemporary guitarists.
King’s legacy reached new heights with his 1990 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The National Blues Foundation honored him with the W.C. Handy Award for Traditional Blues Male Artist in 1981. His signature album “Born Under a Bad Sign” received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2013, cementing its status as a pivotal blues recording.
Award
Year
Organization
Blues Hall of Fame Induction
1983
Blues Foundation
Lifetime Achievement Award
1984
Guitar Player Magazine
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
1990
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
W.C. Handy Award – Traditional Blues Male Artist
1981
National Blues Foundation
Grammy Hall of Fame Award
2013
Recording Academy
Notable festivals celebrated King’s artistry, including performances at the Monterey Jazz Festival (1968), Ann Arbor Blues Festival (1969) and the Montreux Jazz Festival (1975). The Mississippi Blues Trail placed a marker in Indianola commemorating his birthplace, recognizing his impact on American music culture.
The Gibson Guitar Corporation honored King’s legacy by creating a signature Flying V guitar model, featuring specifications based on his original 1958 instrument. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis displays artifacts from his recording sessions, preserving his contributions to the Memphis soul sound.
Albert King’s legacy stands as a testament to his revolutionary impact on blues and rock music. His unorthodox guitar techniques unique vocal style and commanding stage presence transformed the landscape of electric blues forever.
Through countless performances groundbreaking recordings and innovative playing methods King influenced generations of musicians who followed. His induction into multiple halls of fame and numerous accolades reflect his monumental contributions to American music culture.
Even decades after his passing King’s influence continues to resonate through modern blues and rock. His signature sound innovative techniques and timeless recordings remain an essential blueprint for aspiring guitarists and music lovers worldwide.
