Albert King

Albert King is truly a "King of the Blues," although he doesn't hold that title (B.b. does). Along with B.b. and Freddie King, Albert King is one of the major influences on blues and rock guitar players. Without him, modern guitar music would not sound as it does -- his style has influenced both black and white blues players from Otis Rush and Robert Cray to Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. It's important to note that while almost all modern blues guitarists seldom play for long without falling into a B.b. King guitar cliché, Albert King never does -- he's had his own style and unique tone from the beginning.