The blues has been one of the most influential genres in modern music, leaving its mark on rock, jazz, soul, and even pop. Among the most influential figures in this genre are three guitarists often referred to as the "Three Kings of the Blues": B.B. King, Albert King, and Freddie King. These legendary musicians each brought their own unique style and perspective to blues guitar playing, helping to shape the sound of the blues in the 20th century and beyond. Their playing styles, choice of instruments, and iconic recordings have left an indelible mark on the music world, inspiring countless generations of musicians.
In this article, we'll dive deep into the legacy of these three giants of the blues, exploring their distinct playing styles, the instruments and gear they used, and the most iconic recordings that solidified their place in music history.
B.B. King: The King of the Blues
Playing Style
Riley B. King, better known as B.B. King, is perhaps the most celebrated of the three Kings. His playing style was distinctive for its expressive vibrato and his unique ability to convey deep emotion with just a few well-chosen notes. King was not a fast or flashy player, but he didn’t need to be—his minimalist approach was perfectly suited to his ability to tell a story through his music.
B.B. King’s signature guitar technique involved string bending and vibrato that emulated the human voice. He often said that he was trying to make his guitar "sing," and this goal was evident in his playing. Unlike many other blues guitarists, King seldom played chords. Instead, he relied on single-note runs that were played with precision and feel, focusing on tone and timing. His playing was about melody and emotion, and his ability to express feelings through his guitar was one of the many reasons he was adored.
King’s improvisational skills were also a key element of his playing. He would often play solos that were simple but deeply emotional, making extensive use of space in his playing. His style emphasized the importance of silence between notes, giving his music a reflective and thoughtful quality.
Instruments and Gear
B.B. King’s signature guitar, "Lucille," is arguably one of the most famous guitars in blues history. "Lucille" refers to a series of Gibson ES-355 guitars that King used throughout his career. The story behind the name is as legendary as King himself—during a performance in the 1950s, a fire broke out at a club where King was playing. In his rush to escape, he left his guitar inside. After realizing that the fire was caused by a fight over a woman named Lucille, King returned to the burning building to save his guitar. From that point on, every guitar he played was named "Lucille."
The Gibson ES-355 is a semi-hollow body electric guitar, known for its smooth and warm tone, which suited King's style perfectly. B.B. King often used light gauge strings, which made his string bending and vibrato techniques easier to execute, contributing to his signature sound.
King also favored solid-state amplifiers, particularly the Lab Series L5 amplifier, which he used for most of his career. This amp helped produce the clean, warm tone that became synonymous with King’s playing. His setup was straightforward and simple, with the focus always being on tone and emotion rather than technical complexity.
Iconic Recordings
B.B. King’s discography is vast, but a few tracks stand out as defining moments in his career. Perhaps his most famous recording is "The Thrill is Gone," released in 1969. This song became a massive hit and introduced King to a broader audience, showcasing his ability to blend blues with a more modern sound. The song’s string arrangement added a new dimension to King's blues, making it both timeless and contemporary.
Other iconic recordings include "Lucille," a tribute to his beloved guitar, and "Every Day I Have the Blues," which became one of his signature tunes. King’s live performances, particularly his 1965 album "Live at the Regal," are also highly regarded as some of the best live blues recordings of all time.
Albert King: The Master of the One-Note Punch
Playing Style
Albert King was known for his raw, emotional style of guitar playing. Unlike B.B. King, who played with precision and grace, Albert King’s playing was much more forceful and aggressive. His style relied heavily on bending single notes, often playing slow, drawn-out bends that would explode into powerful licks. This approach gave his playing a dramatic and soulful quality, making each note feel significant.
One of the key elements of Albert King’s playing was his unorthodox technique. King was left-handed but played a right-handed guitar flipped upside down, meaning that the strings were in reverse order. This made his string bending particularly unique, as he would bend the lower strings upwards rather than downwards, creating a distinctive sound that became his signature.
Albert King also utilized a minimalist approach, focusing on fewer notes but making each one count. His solos were often slow and deliberate, allowing the emotion of each note to resonate. He was known for his powerful one-note punches, where he would sustain a single note for a long time, creating a dramatic tension before resolving the phrase.
Instruments and Gear
Albert King’s guitar of choice was a Gibson Flying V, which he nicknamed "Lucy." The Flying V, with its distinctive arrow-like shape, was not a common choice among blues guitarists, but King made it his own. The guitar’s unusual shape and balance suited King’s upside-down playing style, allowing him to execute his signature bends with ease.
King also favored solid-body guitars, which gave his playing a more aggressive tone. He used heavy-gauge strings, which contributed to the powerful, punchy sound that defined his playing. His amplification setup often included Acoustic amplifiers, which provided the loud, clear tone that suited his commanding playing style.
Iconic Recordings
Albert King’s most famous recording is undoubtedly "Born Under a Bad Sign," the title track from his 1967 album. The song became a blues standard and has been covered by countless artists, including Cream. The album, also titled Born Under a Bad Sign, is considered one of the greatest blues albums of all time and showcases King’s raw, emotional playing at its best.
Other standout tracks include "Crosscut Saw," a reworking of a traditional blues song that became one of King’s most popular recordings, and "As the Years Go Passing By," which highlights his ability to convey deep emotion through his playing.
Freddie King: The Texas Cannonball
Playing Style
Freddie King, often referred to as the "Texas Cannonball," brought an explosive energy to blues guitar playing. He combined the traditional blues sound with elements of rock and roll, creating a more aggressive and fast-paced style that would later influence many rock guitarists. King’s playing was marked by his use of thumb-picking and fingerstyle techniques, which allowed him to play rapid, intricate runs that became one of his trademarks.
Freddie King’s style was deeply rooted in the Texas blues tradition, but he was also heavily influenced by Chicago blues. He had a knack for blending these two styles, creating a sound that was both powerful and nuanced. His playing was characterized by fast, stinging guitar licks, heavy use of double stops, and a rhythmic intensity that set him apart from other blues players.
King was also known for his ability to move between major and minor pentatonic scales fluidly, giving his solos a more dynamic and unpredictable quality. His fast and aggressive style, combined with his mastery of blues phrasing, made him one of the most influential blues guitarists of his time.
Instruments and Gear
Freddie King primarily played Gibson guitars, with his most famous being a Gibson ES-335. Like B.B. King and Albert King, Freddie favored semi-hollow body guitars for their warm tone and versatility. His choice of guitars helped him achieve the smooth yet biting tone that became his signature.
In terms of amplification, King used Fender amplifiers, particularly the Fender Twin Reverb. This amp allowed him to achieve a clear, punchy sound with plenty of headroom, making it ideal for his high-energy playing. King was also known to use metal finger picks on his thumb and index finger, which contributed to his sharp, percussive attack.
Iconic Recordings
Freddie King’s most iconic recording is arguably "Hide Away," an instrumental track that became a hit in 1961 and has since become a blues standard. The song’s infectious melody and fast-paced rhythm showcased King’s technical prowess and ability to craft memorable, catchy tunes. "Hide Away" has been covered by numerous artists, further solidifying its place in blues history.
Other notable tracks include "Have You Ever Loved a Woman," a slow, emotional blues that highlights King’s ability to play with both intensity and sensitivity, and "Going Down," which became a favorite among rock musicians for its driving rhythm and powerful riff.
Who is the true King?
The Three Kings of the Blues—B.B. King, Albert King, and Freddie King—each brought something unique to the blues genre. B.B. King’s soulful vibrato, Albert King’s powerful bends, and Freddie King’s explosive energy helped to shape modern blues guitar playing and influenced generations of musicians across various genres. Their distinctive playing styles, choice of instruments, and iconic recordings continue to resonate with audiences and musicians alike, ensuring their place as true legends of the blues. The "Kings of the Blues" not only shaped the genre but also laid the groundwork for future blues and rock guitarists, leaving a legacy that remains as powerful today as ever.
-Ryan