Ha! You and me both. I was just appreciating his first live album on Utopia, a 2LP job featuring 11 and 15 minute jam tunes. Rory Gallagher and Louisiana Red and Lowell Fulsom were there with him. Wow, a great LP! What's great about the LP besides the music are the black and white photos, and the biography that dresses the entire album, written by NY Times publicist, Robert Palmer. I was curious about the 1970 Fillmore East Concert. You'll luv this story why. Albert King, who lived in Illinois at the time, was doing his California tour in 1970. The Fillmore East concert, I believe, started that tour. I had won tickets on a rock radio station to see him in Ventura CA (near Santa Barbara) for his pass-through our town in 70. We had front row seats. Unfortunately, King Albert was scheduled to play after a "battle-of-the-bands" yearly event. The event went on way longer than it should have, and by the time King hit the stage, it was quarter to midnight. He played a solo instrumental for 15 minutes, for which he got a standing ovation, then casually looked at his big gold watch, and said, "Do you know what time it is? Do you know what time it is? It's midnight, and that means Albert King is here to play all night!" The crowd went nuts, but the janitor took Albert at his word, and way too seriously, and shut the sound off, and killed the lights. But before he could just skip the scene and go home to his family, a riot broke out. People refused to accept it and demanded the sound be turned back on. Bottles then chairs started flying like rockets through the air. And the only concert ever that I got a front row seat for, was now a target. Had I known then what I know now, I would have felt like I was in Syria. Anyway, the only way for me and my friends to be saved from "friendly fire" was to jump the stage and follow the band's escape route. It was at this point, just on the other side of the flimsy curtain dividing the stage, I bumped smack-dab into Albert King, who was as black as the killed lights. After my apology, he laughed and said, "What the hell did I do wrong? Man, I was in the groove, I wanted to play so bad." I informed him that the janitor must have believed every word he said, including "all night." He said, "Shit. Man I wanted to play. Do you fellas know where I can play?" We looked at each other and I piped up, "We could work up a few ideas, check out some places, and they might be willing. Sure we could. We got into his limo and to make a long story short, the next thing we were doing was smoking a joint in the back seat of Albert King's limo, and like scouts, looking for a place for him to play. After four tries and two country bars that had never heard of Albert King, we sadly departed but were oh-so-grateful for the experience! And, by the way, he had the best weed I had ever smoked, still to this day.
I met Albert King once at the Omni in Oakland, maybe 1989. He was real kind and engaging. I stood on the side of the stage and was blown away by his playing. One of my best memories.
I met Otis Rush in 1986 in NYC, he was the same way, a truly decent man... a lot of the older blues players hold grudges, and rightfully so. All I said was, Hey, Otis, and he told me how his truck had broken down and introduced me to his Japanese wife who didn't speak a word of english. Peace.
In the late eighties my friend and I saw Albert King in the Lone Star Cafe in New York City only about 10 people in the audience. Like a private show. Talk about a gift from God. We got to hang out with him for a while backstage and he signed my album Livewire Blues power. He signed on the back cover Albert King loves you. It's sitting right next to me all these years later. Joy
That is awesome. I was married to Albert's Bass player. However, in this video, he was playing guitar...he could play both. It gives me great pleasure to see compliments about Albert and/or his band members from the 70's. It allows me to share these times with the 2 children that Neal and I share. Thank you for sharing.
@@berniceholmes9657I saw your comment about your husband on the Wattstax performance RU-vid video and I noticed that this particular bass player on this video was different it's nice to hear you clear up where your husband was on this superb performance. Albert and the whole band destroyed the stage on this night, this is a really classic performance. 👌🏽
It's possibly Son Seals on drums, he played with Albert around that time. He went on to become a great blues guitarist and singer in his own right, as RU-vid can testify!
@@everready2903 Yes, in later life due to diabetes. I think someone idenitfied the drummer as not being Son somewhere in all these posts. I met him when he played over here in the UK,. He did a great gig, then came back into the venue, immaculately dressed in three piece suit, hat, and carrying a classy cane. I said I first heard him on the live album Blues Deluxe, and loved how his version of Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong was full of energy, saying it 'kind of jumped out of the speakers and grabbed you', and he laughed and replied "I hope it didn't choke you!"
Dizzy knew Albert..played ‘different ‘ styles of music but they were similar in that they dressed in a similar fashion,i saw them together once and they had the SAME color and style stacy adams high top shoes..lol ..dizzy looked down and said ‘ those some mean kicks you got on there brother ‘..they both laughed out loud...
6' 4" tall, dark handsome, blues guitar playing genius. We miss you Albert.. You will never be forgotten. Thanks for all the fabulous music you gave to us.
AK remains my fav of the male blues singers; I was one of the house MD's at the FE ('69-closing 6/71) and I tried to never miss his performances. Just the best!
When I was just 18 Albert played at a local club near my home, The Plantation Club, and he provided me with my first guitar lesson. He was the top of the heap. After that, spent much time with Uncle Al.
Loved Albert. Met him in person and sat with him on his tour bus when he took a brake. We were speechless. You know he OWNS that guitar. And what a voice. And his touch on the strings.... Mmmmmmmmm man. Man do I miss this man.
Albert King and B.B. King they are two geniuses of blues music. Regards ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GzXii8egOHI.html *ONLY CHILD* Twangy Blues Guitar in the style of *Duane Eddy*
Was there. Bunch of us came up from Laguna Beach to see this concert. Was fkn killer. He was brilliant, a pure blues singer and guitar player genius. SRV copied him note for note.
Luv 'dat one winged horn cat. Awesome tune. 50 friggin' years ago.....where did it go ? Flyin' V kicks major ass especially when hammered with big fat fingers left handed with no pick. Miss you AL.
Albert King is one of the reasons I wanted to play a right-handed guitar (I'm a lefty too) because of those awsome string-bends he can get when he solos. By the way, did anyone else notice that one of the trumpet players had one arm missing?
National Educational Television taped a show on September 23, 1970 for broadcast. It featured The Byrds, Elvin Bishop Group, Albert King, Sha Na Na, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers, and Joe's Lights. The show, "Welcome To Fillmore East" was aired on WNDT channel 13 in NYC and simulcast on WNEW-FM radio on October 10, 1970 at 10:00 PM in the NYC area. A thirty minute clip from that show of the Allmans can be seen on RU-vid.
Albert King is a Blues guitar player's Blues guitar player. If you love the Blues It's hard not to love Albert's masterful string bending sound. He's always been my favorite of the three Kings and that's saying something because I love all three. RIP to BB, Albert and Freddie. 🎸 🤴🏾🤴🏾🤴🏾 🎸
I was there... No, he did not use a pick. Albert was a very talented musician. My children's father, my previous husband, was Albert's bass guitar player. However, in this video, he was playing Guitar behind Albert. Albert has some very talented musicians back in the 70's. Rest In Peace Albert and Neal.
Albert King is one of my favorite blues singers, at one point I thought him and B.B. King were brothers but Albert King real last name is Nelson but changed it to King when he started out in show business.
i was going to a jonny winter concert with a buddy at filmore east but jonny got sick and so Albert King N BBking filled in i was blow away by both Albert King n BB 'BIG' SOUND n amazing style .. i knew bout both i was in second row my high school homeroom friend always gave 2 tickets at filmore Edger Winter was the sad but played after ..i was on Osley Albert playes a righty guitar but string stay 4 a righty . crushing sound Thanks Richard Lawerance RIP
I saw Albert King live at B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted in Chicago at least a half dozen times in the mid-to-late 1980s. The cat was phenomenal. I was less than five feet away from him at the foot of the stage each time.
why was the concert so short?? Albert king best blues singer and guitarist ever.. omg there's no one in the world that can bend those notes like he does
I've started with some heavy metal stuff like Metallica and all but finally I've started finding my comfort zone within blues and some classical stuff like beethoven and bach. I regret to the fact that i didn't found these legends in my teenage.
Look at the band... Their eyes show how was so hard to follow Albert, they pay attention all the time! Albert always wanted his band to play perfectly...
Bill Graham was a schmuck for using the Star of David on Albert's shoulders for a photo op, then denying him to wear the necklace for the concert. Albert King is a legend. I'm blessed to have felt his huge hand in mine.
