Earl King was one of the great unsung heroes of New Orleans R&B — a guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose compositions became standards covered by Jimi Hendrix, Professor Longhair, and the Rolling Stones, even as he himself remained largely unknown outside the city.
Biography
Born Earl Silas Johnson IV in New Orleans in 1934, King came of age in the city's blues scene under the influence of Guitar Slim, whose extravagant showmanship he absorbed and refined. His early recordings for Ace and Imperial produced regional hits, but it is as a songwriter that his legacy is most secure: 'Come On' was recorded by Hendrix; 'Big Chief' became Professor Longhair's anthem; 'Trick Bag' entered the New Orleans standard repertoire. His 1972 album Street Parade, recorded with Allen Toussaint and the Meters, was released a decade late but is now recognized as a masterpiece. His later recordings for Black Top Records found him in spectacular form, backed by Roomful of Blues and playing with the authority of a man who knew exactly how good he was.
Discography
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