September 3, 1934-December 29, 1976, Freddie King was born, in fact, with the name "King" (unlike a certain Albert King who stole it from a certain Riley or B.B. Kng) in Gilmer Texas in [September 3] 1934. He grew up with a love for the guitar and also Blues music, but unlike the other guitarists of his generation in the Blues Freddie was different, he listened not just to Blues guitarests but also to sax-players like Louis Jordan, in turn this gave Freddie a unique style that is instantly recognizable.
Freddie had it hard at the beginning of his career, moving to Chicago in 1949. He was now 16 and would sneak into clubs to listen to the greats of Chicago's South Side Blues. Eventually Freddie became bold enough to try his hand at getting away with playing. This was easier said than done and Freddie was soon caught by one of the bouncers, but, as fate would have it, the great Howlin' Wolf (a.k.a Chester Burnett) had heard Freddie play before he was caught and in turn was so impressed that he covered for the young King. With the Wolfs blessing (which I have heard is hard to get) Freddie continued on his journey as a Blues player.
By 1952, at the age of 20 Freddie had net and married Jessie Burnett and he was given by that his muse and the drive to fulfill his dreams. He worked in the steel mills during the day and at night would play gigs around the West Side. In 1957 Freddie King played some recordings fore Magic Sam, a good friend of his, on the Cobra Label, but Sam is drafted and so that dries up.
Chess and other major labels reject Freddie for his B.B. like sound and it is not till 1960 that he finds a home at King/Federal Labels and the rest they say . . . is history.
Freddie King died on December 28, 1976 of complications of an ulcer. He has since been described as one of the greatest Bluesmen of all time, as one of the "Three Kings" of the Blues, and most importantly, some have been bold enough to propose King as the greatest Blues guitarist of his time.
