Albert King, born Albert Nelson on April 25, 1923, was a towering figure in American music, standing 6’4” and weighing 250 pounds. Known as one of the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar” alongside B.B. King and Freddie King, he earned the nickname “The Velvet Bulldozer” for both his massive physical presence and his surprisingly smooth, soulful singing voice.

Born on a cotton plantation in Indianola, Mississippi, King was largely self-taught. His early years were defined by hard labor; he picked cotton, drove a bulldozer, and worked in construction before his music career could sustain him. His first instrument was a makeshift “diddley bow” made of broom wire, followed by a cigar-box guitar. He finally purchased his first real guitar for $1.25.

King’s style was entirely unique due to his “backward” approach. As a left-handed player, he famously used a right-handed Gibson Flying V (which he named “Lucy”) flipped upside down. This placed the heavy bass strings at the bottom, allowing him to pull the thin strings downward with incredible force to create his signature, wide-bending notes. He also utilized a secret dropped-tuning and played with his thumb rather than a pick, resulting in a raw, stinging tone that became the blueprint for modern electric blues.

King’s breakthrough came in 1966 when he signed with Stax Records. Backed by the legendary house band Booker T. & the M.G.’s, he recorded the 1967 masterpiece Born Under a Bad Sign. The album’s title track, along with hits like “Crosscut Saw” and “The Hunter,” bridged the gap between traditional blues and modern soul-funk, garnering him a massive “crossover” audience in the rock world.

King’s influence is immeasurable. He was a primary inspiration for legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In 1968, he became the first blues guitarist to perform at the legendary Fillmore West, and in 1969, he was one of the first to record with a symphony orchestra.

Albert King, born Albert Nelson on April 25, 1923, was a towering figure in American music, standing 6’4” and weighing 250 pounds. Known as one of the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar” alongside B.B. King and Freddie King, he earned the nickname “The Velvet Bulldozer” for both his massive physical presence and his surprisingly smooth, soulful singing voice.

Born on a cotton plantation in Indianola, Mississippi, King was largely self-taught. His early years were defined by hard labor; he picked cotton, drove a bulldozer, and worked in construction before his music career could sustain him. His first instrument was a makeshift “diddley bow” made of broom wire, followed by a cigar-box guitar. He finally purchased his first real guitar for $1.25.

King’s style was entirely unique due to his “backward” approach. As a left-handed player, he famously used a right-handed Gibson Flying V (which he named “Lucy”) flipped upside down. This placed the heavy bass strings at the bottom, allowing him to pull the thin strings downward with incredible force to create his signature, wide-bending notes. He also utilized a secret dropped-tuning and played with his thumb rather than a pick, resulting in a raw, stinging tone that became the blueprint for modern electric blues.

King’s breakthrough came in 1966 when he signed with Stax Records. Backed by the legendary house band Booker T. & the M.G.’s, he recorded the 1967 masterpiece Born Under a Bad Sign. The album’s title track, along with hits like “Crosscut Saw” and “The Hunter,” bridged the gap between traditional blues and modern soul-funk, garnering him a massive “crossover” audience in the rock world.

King’s influence is immeasurable. He was a primary inspiration for legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In 1968, he became the first blues guitarist to perform at the legendary Fillmore West, and in 1969, he was one of the first to record with a symphony orchestra.