Earl King, born Earl Silas Johnson IV on February 7, 1934, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a pivotal figure in the New Orleans R&B and blues scene. Raised by his mother after his father's early death, King began his musical journey singing gospel in church and on street corners. Influenced by local musicians and Texas guitarists like T-Bone Walker, he transitioned to blues, inspired by his idol Guitar Slim.

King's career took off in 1953 with his first recording, "Have You Gone Crazy?" for Savoy Records. He gained further recognition with Specialty Records, where he released "A Mother's Love." His name was mistakenly reversed on the label, leading to his professional moniker, Earl King. His breakthrough came with Ace Records, where "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights" became a national R&B hit.

In 1960, King joined Imperial Records, collaborating with producer Dave Bartholomew. There, he recorded classics like "Come On" and "Trick Bag," which became standards covered by artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Despite a potential deal with Motown falling through, King continued to influence the music scene by writing for artists like Fats Domino and Professor Longhair.

King's career spanned five decades, during which he also ran his own label and retained rights to his music. He experienced a resurgence in the 1990s with albums on Black Top Records. Earl King passed away on April 17, 2003, in New Orleans, leaving behind a legacy as a revered performer, songwriter, and New Orleans R&B icon.