Albert King

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  • Year:
    2013
  • Inducted by:
    John Mayer
  • Category:
    Performers
albert_king

Introduction

Albert King isn’t a household name—he’s a household sound.

So says John Mayer about the towering guitar talent, Albert King. You can add Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaugh to the list of King disciples too.

Hall of Fame Essay

2013

Andy Schwartz

Everything about Albert King was big. 

He stood six feet four inches tall and weighed more than two hundred and fifty pounds. One fan who met the great blues guitarist and vocalist later recalled that “his hand was literally twice the size of mine.” 

He played a big guitar, a triangular Gibson Flying V shaped like a rocket ship. He named it “Lucy” and played upside-down and left-handed without reversing the order of the strings. And he could play it loud, especially onstage, where his searing, overdriven lead lines streaked feedback like jet trails from a 747.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program Cover 2013
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He is the reason guitar players break high E strings.
John Mayer

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Gallery