Ed King facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ed King
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King in 1973
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Calhoun King |
| Born | September 14, 1949 Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Died | August 22, 2018 (aged 68) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Southern rock, psychedelic rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, bass guitar |
| Years active | 1965–1996 |
| Labels | MCA |
| Associated acts | Lynyrd Skynyrd, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Hunger |
Edward Calhoun King (born September 14, 1949 – died August 22, 2018) was an American musician. He was a talented guitarist for the psychedelic rock band Strawberry Alarm Clock. Later, he became a guitarist and bassist for the famous Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He played with Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 to 1975 and again from 1987 to 1996.
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Ed King's Early Music Career
Ed King was born in Glendale, California, which is a city near Los Angeles. He was one of the first members of a band called Strawberry Alarm Clock. This band played psychedelic rock music in the mid-1960s.
Their biggest hit song was "Incense and Peppermints" in 1967. This song became very popular and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart. While in the band, Ed King played both the electric guitar and the bass guitar.
By the early 1970s, Strawberry Alarm Clock was not as popular. The band also had disagreements about their music. Because of these reasons, the band broke up in 1972. Ed King decided to stay in the South. He was very interested in a new band he had heard called Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Joining Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ed King first met the musicians who would form Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1968. At that time, the band was called The One Percent. They opened a show for Strawberry Alarm Clock. Ed King really liked their music. He told the band's singer, Ronnie Van Zant, that he would join them if they ever needed a guitarist.
In 1972, Lynyrd Skynyrd's bassist, Leon Wilkeson, left the band. Ronnie Van Zant remembered Ed King's offer and asked him to join as their new bassist. Soon after, Leon Wilkeson decided to return to the band. So, Ed King switched to playing lead guitar.
This change created a special sound for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Ed King, along with Allen Collins and Gary Rossington, formed a "triple-guitar attack." This unique setup became known as the "Three Guitar Army." It was a big part of Lynyrd Skynyrd's famous sound.
Ed King's Contributions to Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ed King's guitar playing and songwriting were very important to Lynyrd Skynyrd's first three albums. These albums were (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), Second Helping, and Nuthin' Fancy.
He helped write one of the band's most famous songs, "Sweet Home Alabama." You can hear his voice counting "one, two, three" at the start of the song. Then, he plays the famous guitar riff that begins the song. Ed King also wrote or co-wrote other Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. These include "Poison Whiskey," "Saturday Night Special," "Whiskey Rock-a-Roller," and "Workin' for MCA."
Gary Rossington, another guitarist in the band, once said that Ed King was very good at business. He told a story about how Ed King would buy snacks and food during their tours. Then, he would sell them to his bandmates when they got hungry on the bus.
Leaving and Returning to Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ed King was from Southern California, which made him a bit different from the other band members who were from the South. However, he brought a professional attitude to the band.
Ed King left Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1975 during a very difficult tour. This tour was even called the "Torture Tour" by the band. Ed King explained that during this tough time, there were problems with equipment and timing. He had to play a show with old guitar strings, and when he broke two strings during a song, he felt criticized. This, combined with the general stress of the tour and differences in how the band members lived, led him to decide to leave. Ed King was a peaceful person, and he didn't enjoy the constant disagreements and rough lifestyle that sometimes came with being on tour.
After Ed King left, the band continued with two guitarists for a few months. Then, they found a new guitarist named Steve Gaines in 1976. Sadly, Steve Gaines, his sister Cassie Gaines, and singer Ronnie Van Zant died in a plane crash on October 20, 1977. Interestingly, Steve Gaines was born on the same day as Ed King, September 14, 1949.
Ed King returned to Lynyrd Skynyrd when the band reunited in 1987. He played a very important role in the reunited band. However, he had to leave again in 1996 because of a health problem called congestive heart failure.
In 2006, Ed King and all the other members of Lynyrd Skynyrd who were in the band before the plane crash were honored. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ed King's guitar playing inspired many musicians who came after him, including Metallica bassist Cliff Burton.
Personal Life
In 2011, Ed King had a successful heart transplant operation.
Ed King passed away at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 22, 2018. He was 68 years old. News reports said that he had been battling cancer before his death. After Ed King's passing, his former bandmate Gary Rossington shared a message. He said, "Ed was our brother, and a great songwriter and guitar player. I know he will be reunited with the rest of the boys in Rock and Roll Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Images for kids
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King in 1973
See also
In Spanish: Ed King para niños
