Ed king biography

American minister and activist

Ralph Edwin King Jr. (born September 20, 1936), better known as Ed King, is a United Methodist minister, civil rights activist, and retired educator. He was a key figure in historic civil rights events taking place in Mississippi, including the Jackson Woolworth’s sit-in of 1963 and the Freedom Summer project in 1964. Rev. King held the position of chaplain and dean of students, 1963–1967, at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. At this critical juncture of the civil rights movement, historian John Dittmer described King as “the most visible white activist in the Mississippi movement.”

As Tougaloo College chaplain, King collaborated with many of the key figures in the civil rights movement, including Bob Moses and others from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Medgar Evers of the NAACP, James Farmer and David Dennis of CORE, Dr. Martin Luther King of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and activists from the Mississippi COFO (Council of Federated Organizations), including Fannie Lou Hamer, Lawrence Guyot, and John Salter.

King was also a co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), a member of the Democratic National Committee, and a delegate to three Democratic National Conventions. He and other surviving MFDP delegates were honored at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston on the 40th anniversary of their efforts to end racial discrimination in the Democratic party.

Early life

King was born on September 20, 1936, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Ralph Edwin King Sr. and Julia Wilma Tucker King. His father, whose family came from West Virginia and Louisiana, was an engineer with the Mississippi River Commission. His mother’s family had deep roots in the antebellum history of Mississippi. King’s great-grandfather had served under General Robert E. Lee, and his grandfather, J.W. Tucker, was sheriff of Warren County, Miss

Ed King was a legendary guitarist, songwriter, and musician who left an indelible mark on the world of rock music. Best known for his work with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Strawberry Alarm Clock, his talent and creativity helped shape the sound of Southern rock and psychedelic rock during the 1960s and 1970s. With a career spanning decades, Ed King not only influenced countless musicians but also forged a legacy that continues to resonate with music lovers around the globe.

Born in Glendale, California, Ed King grew up surrounded by the vibrant music scene of the 1960s. From an early age, it was clear that he had a unique gift for melody and rhythm. Whether it was through his innovative guitar techniques or his ability to craft unforgettable riffs, King’s contributions to music earned him a devoted fan base and critical acclaim. His work with Lynyrd Skynyrd, in particular, made him a household name, with songs like “Sweet Home Alabama” cementing his status as a guitar virtuoso.

Beyond his musical achievements, Ed King was admired for his humility, humor, and dedication to his craft. Despite achieving fame and recognition, he remained grounded and authentic, always focusing on what mattered most: the music. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the life and career of Ed King, exploring his early years, musical journey, iconic performances, and the lasting impact he left on the world of rock and roll.

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Biography of Ed King

Ed King, whose full name was Edward Calhoun King, was born on September 14, 1949, in Glendale, California. He grew up in a musically inclined household where he developed a passion for the guitar at a young age. King’s early exposure to the burgeoning rock and roll scene in California during the 1960s played a significant role in shaping his musical style and aspirations.

Personal Details and Bio

American rock musician (1949–2018)

For other people named Ed King, see Ed King (disambiguation).

Musical artist

Edward Calhoun King (September 14, 1949 – August 22, 2018) was an American musician. He was a guitarist for the psychedelic rock band Strawberry Alarm Clock and guitarist and bassist for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 to 1975, and again from 1987 to 1996.

Strawberry Alarm Clock

King was born in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale, California. He was one of the founding members of the LA-based Strawberry Alarm Clock, a mid-1960s pop psychedelic rock band. The band's largest success was with the 1967 single "Incense and Peppermints", which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. While with the band he played both electric guitar and bass guitar. The band's popularity waned considerably in the early 1970s. Faced with the loss of their recording contract with Uni Records and with internal conflicts over musical direction, Strawberry Alarm Clock disbanded in early 1972. King opted to relocate in the South, inspired by an up-and-coming band called Lynyrd Skynyrd (who opened for Strawberry Alarm Clock on their tour of the South).

Lynyrd Skynyrd

King met the members of what was to become the Jacksonville, Florida-based Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd when an earlier incarnation of the band known as The One Percent opened for Strawberry Alarm Clock in early 1968. King was so enamoured with the band that he told vocalist and leader Ronnie Va

One of the original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s three-guitar front line, Ed King, died August 22, 2018, at his Nashville, Tenn. home. The cause of death was not revealed, although King had been diagnosed with cancer. He was 68.

Born Edward C. King in Glendale, Calif., on September 14, 1949, the guitarist first became known as the co-author and guitarist of Strawberry Alarm Clock’s “Incense and Peppermints,” a #1 psychedelic-pop hit in 1967. King met the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd when the latter band, still unknown outside of its home base of Jacksonville, Fla., opened for the Strawberry Alarm Clock in 1968.

Listen to “Incense and Peppermints”

It wasn’t until 1972 that King joined the Southern Rock band, however. At first he replaced Leon Wilkeson on bass when that co-founding member temporarily quit, but when Wilkeson rejoined, King moved over to guitar, completing the trademark lineup that also included Allen Collins and Gary Rossington.

Related:The story of “Incense and Peppermints”

King appeared on three of Skynyrd’s early albums: Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, Second Helping and Nuthin’ Fancy. He co-wrote one of the band’s signature songs, “Sweet Home Alabama,” and provided both the “1-2-3” count-off and the familiar opening guitar lick in the classic recording.

King also wrote several other songs for the early Skynyrd band, but he decided to leave in 1975 and was replaced by Steve Gaines, who was one of the band members killed in a 1977 plane crash.

When he heard the news of King’s passing, Rossington wrote on the band’s Facebook page: “I’ve just found out about Ed’s passing and I’m shocked and saddened. Ed was our brother, and a great songwriter and guitar player. I kn