Thursday, September 14: Tig’s Rock Birthdays

Happy Birthday today (Sept. 14) to Ed King. The former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist is 68. Also celebrating is Nazareth bassist Pete Agnew (70) and ex Everclear bassist Craig Montoya (47).

Ed King joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1972 and played on the band’s first three albums: Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, Second Helping, and Nuthin’ Fancy. He along with Gary Rossington and Allen Collins helped create the triple-guitar attack that became a signature sound for the band. Ed King left the band in 1975 and would eventually reunite with the band in 1987. He was forced to once again leave the band due to congestive heart failure in 1996. Ed King and Lynyrd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. While I never got to see Ed King perform with Lynyrd Skynyrd, I’ve seen the band many times over the years and they still rock. One great show was the Lynyrd Skynyrd/Bad Company Tour back a few years ago when it played Bethel Woods in Bethel, NY (site of the 1969 Woodstock festival). We did a radio station bus trip for that one and it was wild. The beer was flowin as was the Jack Daniel’s. Everyone got hammered. It was a loud and rowdy bunch for sure but good times!

Cheers to a rockin guitarist who is certainly missed in Lynyrd Skynyrd these day, Ed King!