Albert King, born Albert Nelson on April 25, 1923, in Indianola, Mississippi, was an iconic American blues guitarist and singer. Known for his deep, dramatic sound and string-bending intensity, King became one of the most influential blues guitarists, earning a place among the "Three Kings of the Blues" alongside B.B. King and Freddie King. Despite early confusion about his identity and claims of being B.B. King's half-brother, Albert King carved out his own legacy in the music world.

Growing up as one of 13 children in a family that moved to Forrest City, Arkansas, King was influenced by his father's guitar playing and his own involvement in a family gospel group. He taught himself to play guitar left-handed by turning a right-handed guitar upside down. His early career saw him working various jobs, including as a bulldozer operator, which along with his imposing stature earned him the nickname "Velvet Bulldozer."

King's professional music career began in the early 1950s in Gary, Indiana, where he recorded "Bad Luck Blues" for the Parrot label. He later moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and recorded for Bobbin and King labels, achieving success with the single "Don’t Throw Your Love on Me So Strong." His career took a pivotal turn in 1966 when he signed with Stax Records in Memphis. There, he collaborated with Booker T. & the MG’s, producing seminal tracks like "Born Under a Bad Sign," "Crosscut Saw," and "I'll Play the Blues for You."

Albert King's influence extended beyond blues, impacting rock guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He toured extensively, including notable performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival and as an opening act at San Francisco's Fillmore West. His contributions to music were recognized with his induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1983 and posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Albert King passed away on December 21, 1992, in Memphis, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate in the world of blues and rock music.