Albert King, born Albert Nelson on April 25, 1923, in Indianola, Mississippi, was an American blues guitarist and singer whose emotive style and pioneering use of string bending earned him the nickname "The Velvet Bulldozer." Hailed as one of the "Kings of the Blues" alongside B.B. King and Freddie King, his music was marked by a unique left-handed guitar playing technique on his upside-down Gibson Flying V, which he affectionately called "Lucy."

Albert King's influence on blues and rock music is immeasurable. His career began in earnest in the early 1960s when he signed with Stax Records, with the album "Born Under a Bad Sign" released in 1967 becoming a cornerstone of blues music and shaping the sound of future generations. Tracks like "Crosscut Saw" and "As The Years Go Passing By" became staples of his soulful and searing blues repertoire. King's towering physique contrasted with his smooth vocal style and his string-bending guitar prowess that could express the deepest sorrows and the most uplifting grooves. His collaborations included jamming with artists like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, demonstrating his widespread respect among the greatest guitarists. King passed away on December 21, 1992, but his legacy continues to reverberate through the blues scene and beyond, as heard on live recordings like "Live From the Fabulous Forum 1972" and collections like "The Definitive Albert King," ensuring his place among the pantheon of blues legends.

Genres

Blues

Blues Rock

Electric Blues

Memphis Soul

Soul Blues

Traditional Blues

Related Artists

B.B. King

Buddy Guy

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Freddie King

Eric Clapton

Otis Rush

T-Bone Walker

Luther Allison

Joe Bonamassa

John Lee Hooker

Muddy Waters

Robert Cray

Latest Release

In Session - Deluxe Edition / Remastered 2024

Albert King•

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Album - 16 Tracks - Released October 18, 2024