Freddie King (September 3, 1934 – December 28, 1976) was an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is considered one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with Albert King and B.B. King, none of whom are blood related). Mostly known for his soulful and powerful voice and distinctive guitar playing, King had a major influence on electric blues music and on many later blues guitarists.
Born in Gilmer, Texas, King became acquainted with the guitar at the age of six. He started learning the guitar from his mother and his uncle. King moved to Chicago when he was a teenager; there he formed his first band the Every Hour Blues Boys with guitarist Jimmie Lee Robinson and drummer Frank "Sonny" Scott. As he was repeatedly being rejected by Chess Records, he got signed to Federal Records, and got his break with single "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" and instrumental "Hide Away", which reached number five on the Billboard magazine's rhythm and blues chart in 1961. It later became a blues standard.
King based his guitar style on Texas blues and Chicago blues influences. The album Freddy King Sings showcased his singing talents and included the record chart hits "You've Got to Love Her with a Feeling" and "I'm Tore Down". He later became involved with more rhythm and blues and rock oriented producers and was one of the first bluesmen to have a multiracial backing band at live performances.
Links to Peel[]
Peel first played Freddie King's material early in his British radio history on Radio London. On his 16 July 1967 show, Peel was very critical of Freddie King saying he sounded "kind of mechanical" and that he preferred versions of his material by other guitarists, like Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor and Martin Stone. However, his attitude to the singer seemed to change in later time, where he started playing the musician's material on his shows, including after Freddie King's death in 1976.
Shows Played[]
- 16 July 1967: Driving Sideways
- 22 July 1967: Hideaway
- 1969
- 08 June 1969: It's Too Bad Things Are Going So Tough (album - It's Too Bad Things Are Going So Tough) Python PLP KM 5
- 1972
- 30 June 1972: Stumble (LP - ) unknown
- 14 July 1972: Side Tracked (LP - His Early Years, Vol 1) Polydor
- 1973
- 14 August 1973: Boogie Man (LP - Woman Across The River) A&M
- 1975
- 22 May 1975: Going Down (LP - Getting Ready)
- 15 September 1975: The Stumble (LP - Let's Hide Away And Dance Away With Freddy King) King
- 1977
- John Peel's 70's Mixtape 3A: Gambling Woman Blues (LP - Freddie King (1934-1976)) RSO
- John Peel's 70's Mixtape 3B: Farther On Up The Road (LP - Freddie King (1934-1976)) RSO
- 13 September 1977: Tv Mama (album - Freddie King (1934-1976)) RSO 2394 19
- 26 September 1977: Sweet Home Chicago (album - Freddie King (1934-1976)) RSO 2394 19
- 1980
- 09 September 1980: Hideaway
- 13 September 1980 (BFBS): Hideaway (v/a album - Old King Gold Volume 4) King
- 1981
- 08 January 1981: The Stumble
- 1982
- 08 December 1982: Hideaway
- 1983
- 22 October 1983 (BFBS): Onion Rings
- 1985
- 03 June 1985: The Stumble
- 1990
- 05 February 1990: The Stumble
- 21 February 1990: Wash Out (LP - His Early Years) Polydor
- 05 March 1990: Side Tracked (LP - Let's Hide Away And Dance Away With Freddy King) King
- 1991
- 14 April 1991: Washout (album - His Early Years)
- 26 April 1991 (BFBS): Hideaway
- 1992
- 13 March 1992: 'She Put The Whammy On Me (7")' (Federal)
- 22 March 1992 (BFBS): She Put The Whammy On Me
- 04 September 1992: 'Onion Rings' (Federal)
- 06 September 1992 (BFBS): Onion Rings
- 24 December 1992: 'Christmas Tears'
- 1996
- 30 November 1996: ‘Hide Away (LP - His Early Years Vol 1)’ Polydor
- 1997
- 03 September 1997: Driving Sideways
- 2000
- 18 January 2000: 'The Stumble (LP-Let's Hide Away And Dance Away With Freddy King)' (King)
- 13 June 2000: Hide Away (v/a CD - Honky Tonk! The Best Of King & Federal R&B Instrumentals) Ace
- 15 June 2000 (Radio Eins): Hide Away (v/a CD - Honky Tonk! The Best Of King & Federal R&B Instrumentals) Ace
- 2001
- 20 February 2001: King-A-Ling (7" - Meet Me At The Station) Federal
- February 2001 (FSK): King-A-Ling (7" - Meet Me At The Station) Federal
- 04 March 2001 (BBC World Service): King-A-Ling (7" - Meet Me At The Station) Federal
- 2002
- 05 March 2002: Driving Sideways
- 02 May 2002 (Radio Mafia): Driving Sideways