Talk about underrated... this man was no doubt the number one underrated blues guitar player in the world! When you talk about Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and all the front line guitar players of the English invasion you better know one thing-- Albert was their greatest influence! If you don't believe me now just listen to 'Born Under a Bad Sign' and you will.

Albert King had the Sting and the Tone.  B.B. King had the best manager, but Albert had the best chops. I think he is the best blues man that ever lived. He was content to play the black club circuit, the life he had always known and was comfortable with.

I was kinda disappointed after I first met Clapton and asked him "when's the last time you saw Albert?" And he said "Albert who?" To me it was totally apparent that Albert was his guitar "daddy". After all, not only did he get his main licks from Albert, but he did record 'Born Under A Bad Sign"!??

Anyway, Albert was a huge man, probably over six and a half feet tall. He visited our store often. He would usually house charge some gear and say "I'll pay you half now and the other half when you catch me!" and laugh.

Albert is seen in this photo with a St. Blues Bluesmaster which he really liked, but he said it was just too small for him. When I asked him what he would really like he thought for a moment then said "I want a guitar shaped like a blues harp". That's what I want, a guitar shaped like a harmonica! I said "Alright!" and we started work on it the next week.

Albert died before we finished it, but he is still 'The Man'!!

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