Reposted from @lordrarerock YOU KNOW I GOT THE BLUES - Albert King creates some serious magic on one particular night at the Fillmore East with his classic “Blues Power” (September 23, 1970). One of the “three kings” performs a concert that to some, is life changing. Not only is he a major influence on most of the top blues musicians performing today but also, he’s one of the kings that helped pave the path of the modern blues guitar music. You can hear that unique tone he’s creating and in addition to his raw talent, he had a habit of tuning his strings down 3 frets. From an E down to C# which is how he gets those crazy bends. Albert King, born as Albert Nelson, was born on April 25, 1923. Whilst growing up, he sang for a church gospel group, where his father also played guitar. He is one of 13 children and had to help the family by picking cotton in Arkansas, where his family moved when he was 8. As a child he buildt his own cigar box guitar and taught himself how to play it. His backwards left-handed approach led him to learn to bend strings by pulling them down rather than pushing them up. Initially he played music with gospel groups, but once he heard the deep feeling blues of such figures as Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lonnie Johnson, he gave up gospel and fully pursued his passion for the blues. He earned the nickname “The Velvet Bulldozer”, at one of his odd jobs while pursuing music operating a bulldozer, and because he had such a smooth vocal style. Graham and company recorded this performance which later becomes “Live Wire/Blues Power.” The album influenced the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as many other figures in blues and rock including Robbie Robertson of The Band and Gary Moore of Skid Row and Thin Lizzy. KEEP THE BLUES ALIVE. Enjoy iiii]; )'