From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Thu Feb 7, 2002  1:15 am  - UPDATED 6 JANUARY 2004
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Earl King
 
EARL KING

Born Earl Silas Johnson, 7 February, 1934, New Orleans, Louisiana
Died 7 April 2003, New Orleans, LA

Singer / songwriter / guitarist

A major New Orleans artist, Earl King had already recorded for Savoy (1953)
and Specialty (1954) when he was signed to Johnny Vincent's fledgling Ace
label in 1955. It was during his five year stay with Ace that King made his
best recordings, from a rock and roll point of view. His first record for the
label, "Those Lonely Lonely Nights", was his biggest hit (# 7 R&B), in spite
of stiff competition from a cover by Johnny "Guitar" Watson. The out-of-tune
piano solo was played by Huey Smith. Eight singles were released by Ace ;
my personal favourites are "Everybody's Carried Away" and "Is Everything
Alright". His next stop would be Imperial Records (1960-1963), where he was
produced by Dave Bartholomew and scored another R&B hit with "Always A
First Time"/"Trick Bag" (1962). Numerous other recordings on a variety of labels
followed, mainly in the soul and blues fields. King continues to perform and
write new songs to this day.

He is sometimes confused with another Earl King (real name Earl Connelly),
a blues singer, who recorded for King during the years 1955-1959.

Further reading: Jeff Hannusch, I Hear You Knockin' : The Sound of New
Orleans Rhythm and Blues (1985), page 189-204.

CD recommendation: Earl's Pearls : The Very Best Of Earl King (1955-1960),
released in 1997 on Westside WESM 520. His complete Ace recordings.