This Stax Records 1967 release features King's defining electric blues style and includes the title track that became a blues standard widely covered by other artists.
Artist page · 04/07/2026
Albert King
About
Albert King, One of the three blues guitar kings, a soulful electric blues pioneer.
12 key vinyl albums including original 1967 Stax pressings; prices range from €5 to €175.
Albert King crafted a blues legacy marked by an unusual left-handed playing style on a right-handed guitar. Emerging from a modest Mississippi upbringing, his career spanned from early gospel singing to consummate electric blues innovation. His recordings, notably with Stax Records in the 1960s and 70s, blend blues with soul and R&B influences that shaped the sound of contemporary blues and rock guitar.
Vinyl collectors find significant interest in his catalog ranging from original mono and stereo LPs like "Born Under A Bad Sign" (1967) and "Live Wire / Blues Power" (1968) to later limited edition reissues and live recordings. Prices for rare pressings, especially American original Stax albums, can reach into triple digits euros.
Discography
Albert King — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
RockBeat Records · 2014
Dressed To Kill · 2000
Stax · 1999
Charly Blues · 1995
Monad Records · 1995
Charly Blues · 1994
Wolf Records · 1993
Essential! Records · 1991
Stax · 1990
Stax · 1990
Stax · 1988
Stax · 1986
Fantasy · 1984
Fantasy · 1983
CBS/Sony · 1981
Tomato · 1978
Tomato · 1977
Utopia · 1977
Stax · 1977
Utopia · 1976
Utopia · 1976
Stax · 1974
Stax · 1974
Stax · 1972
Stax · 1971
Stax · 1969
Stax · 1969
Stax · 1969
Stax · 1968
Stax · 1967
King Records · 1963
Tomato · Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Albert King's career.







The essentials
The 3 Albert King albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
A 1972 Stax Records studio album showcasing King's soulful, electric blues blend with eight tracks including the long title track split into parts 1 and 2.
A limited edition 45 RPM album featuring collaborations between Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, illustrating their remarkable musical rapport.
Go further
Artists similar to Albert King
Artists who share part of Albert King's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
The “Why this rarity” column comes from our upstream sourcing work: for each album, we explain what makes this pressing sought after by collectors (limited run, specific matrix, withdrawn edition…).
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Albert King
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
"The Velvet Bulldozer" nickname reflected Albert King's imposing 118 kg physique and distinctive playing style.— Music enthusiasts
Born Under A Bad Sign original US pressing
The 1967 US original pressing of "Born Under A Bad Sign" on Stax Records (catalog S 723) features a strong want/have ratio of 2.2 with 8 copies currently available for sale at up to €108.74.
In Session album with Stevie Ray Vaughan
"In Session" includes eleven tracks such as "Call It Stormy Monday" and "Don't Lie To Me" and showcases the prominent collaboration between Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Stax Records in the 1960s and 70s
Albert King signed to Stax Records in 1966, delivering key albums like the 1967 "Born Under A Bad Sign" and 1968 "Live Wire / Blues Power," albums blending soul, funk, and blues styles during the label's peak influence.
In Session 2003 US reissue pressings
The Analogue Productions 2003 US LP pressing of "In Session" is a 45 RPM limited edition, numbered reissue with prices ranging from €108.75 to €174.
Records by Albert King
See all
FAQ
FAQ: Albert King on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
When was Albert King born and where?
Albert King was born on April 25, 1923, in Indianola, Mississippi.
What is Albert King known for in music?
Albert King is known for his influential electric blues guitar playing, unique left-handed style, and soulful vocals.
Which Albert King vinyl album is considered essential to own?
"Born Under A Bad Sign" (1967) on Stax is a foundational electric blues album frequently sought by collectors.
Are original pressings of Albert King vinyl albums available for purchase?
Yes, original US pressings like 1967's "Born Under A Bad Sign" are currently available but command higher prices due to rarity.
What are some characteristics of Albert King's guitar playing?
King played left-handed on a right-handed guitar with non-reversed strings, creating his signature bends and soulful tone.
Is Albert King associated with any record labels important for vinyl collectors?
Albert King's most notable label is Stax Records, essential for collectors interested in soul-blues and funk-infused blues vinyls.
Where are some key places to find Albert King's vinyl today?
Vinyl shops and specialized online platforms in the US and Europe often carry original and reissue albums by Albert King.
Did Albert King influence other blues or rock guitarists?
Yes, his style influenced many, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix among others.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.




