Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the often-unsung heroes behind the most iconic sounds in rock history. Today, we focus on a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with one of the most unique and incredible journeys in music: the brilliant guitarist and songwriter, Ed King. A pivotal member of two vastly different but equally legendary bands, King first hit the charts with the psychedelic pop of Strawberry Alarm Clock before becoming an essential architect of the Southern rock sound as a guitarist and key songwriter for the mighty Lynyrd Skynyrd.
A Tale of Two Bands
Ed King’s career is a fascinating tale of two distinct musical worlds. His first taste of major success came as a co-founder of the 1960s California psychedelic pop band, Strawberry Alarm Clock. As a co-writer of their massive, era-defining hit, “Incense and Peppermints,” he proved his knack for crafting a memorable hook early on.
In a move that few could have predicted, King would later transition from the psychedelic West Coast scene to the sweltering, blues-drenched world of Jacksonville, Florida. After a brief stint as their bassist, he joined Lynyrd Skynyrd as their third guitarist, solidifying the band’s legendary three-guitar attack alongside Gary Rossington and Allen Collins. This is where King would make his most indelible mark on rock history. He wasn’t just a player; he was a crucial songwriter. He co-wrote some of the band’s most enduring anthems, including “Saturday Night Special,” “Workin’ for MCA,” and, most famously, one of the most iconic rock songs of all time, “Sweet Home Alabama,” for which he conceived the immortal opening riff and played the perfectly crafted solos.
The Anatomy of a Southern Gentleman: Technique and Tone
Within the fiery, triple-guitar onslaught of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ed King played a very specific and crucial sonic role. While Rossington and Collins were often associated with the thick, powerful sound of Gibson Les Pauls and Firebirds, King was the Fender Stratocaster man. The thinner, brighter, and chiming “out-of-phase” tones of his Stratocaster were the secret ingredient in the band’s sound. This distinct voice allowed the three guitar parts to interweave without becoming a muddy mess, giving the Skynyrd sound its incredible texture and clarity.
His playing style was incredibly tasteful, melodic, and structured. In a band known for its fiery improvisational jams, King was often the architect of the composed, intricate guitar lines and the concise, memorable solos that served as the melodic heart of the song. His solo on “Sweet Home Alabama” is a masterclass in melodic construction—a perfect, hummable statement that is instantly recognizable and perfectly serves the song.
His gear setup was as classic and effective as his playing. He relied on vintage Fender Stratocasters, often from the early 1970s, plugged into powerful tube amps. This simple formula provided the perfect tone for his role, allowing him to cut through the dense mix and add his signature melodic sparkle to the band’s powerful sound.
Essential Ed King: From Psychedelia to Southern Pride
Ed King’s songwriting and guitar work have left a permanent mark on popular culture. To understand his incredible and diverse contributions to music, these three tracks are absolutely essential.
“Incense and Peppermints”
“Sweet Home Alabama”
“Saturday Night Special”
Ed King is one of the most important, if often under-appreciated, songwriters and guitarists of his era. His unique journey from psychedelic pop to the heart of Southern rock is a testament to his incredible versatility and musicality. As a key architect of the three-guitar sound and the man who wrote the riff heard ’round the world, his place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is forever secured.
Cover Photo Credit MCA Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
