Freddie King

Frederick Christian King was one of the 'Three Kings' of blues guitar (alongside B.B. King and Albert King), a Texas-born powerhouse whose aggressive, high-energy guitar style bridged Chicago blues and rock. He moved from Texas to Chicago as a teenager and absorbed the styles of the West Side players before recording a series of instrumental hits for Federal/King Records in the early 1960s ('Hide Away,' 'The Stumble,' 'San-Ho-Zay') that became essential repertoire for every blues and rock guitarist. His playing combined Texas rawness with Chicago sophistication, using a thumbpick and metal fingerpick for a bright, cutting tone. His later recordings for Shelter and RSO, produced by Leon Russell and Eric Clapton respectively, brought him to rock audiences. He died of heart failure at 42, his health undermined by years of ulcers and heavy touring.