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Earl King

 


Known as "The Poet Laureate of New Orleans", blues singer, song writer and guitarist Earl Silas Johnson IV, better known as "Earl King", was born in  New Orleans, Louisiana, on 7 February 1934. His father was a piano player. Earl started playing guitar when he was 15. He had also been singing gospel in Church choirs while at school. He started playing guitar in clubs where he met his role model, Guitar Slim. When Guitar Slim was injured in an accident in 1954, King took his place on a tour.  

King first recorded for Savoy Records in 1953. The following year he moved to Specialty/Ace Records. By 1960 he was recording for Imperial with Dave Bartholomew. In 1963 his recording contract ended and he concentrated on writing songs, including "Do Re Me" for Lee Dorsey. During that period he auditioned and recorded some material in Detroit for Motown. He returned to recording in the 1970s. 

Earl King died from complications arising from diabetes in New Orleans on 17 April 2003, age 69. Dr. John and Aaron Neville were among the many mourners who attended his funeral.

Image: Michael P. Smith/Bitter Southerner

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