| Al King | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Name: | Alvin K. Smith |
| Birth Date: | August 8, 1923 |
| Birth Place: | Monroe, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Death Date: | January 21, 1999 (aged 75) |
| Death Place: | Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Genre: | Blues |
| Occupation: | Singer, Songwriter |
| Years Active: | 1950s–1990s |
| Label: | Shirley, Sahara |
Alvin K. Smith (August 8, 1923 - January 21, 1999), who performed and recorded as Al King, was an American blues singer and songwriter.[1]
King was born in Monroe, Louisiana.[2] After moving to Los Angeles he recorded for the Shirley and Sahara labels in the 1950s and 1960s, and had a number 36 US Billboard R&B chart hit in 1966 with "Think Twice Before You Speak".[3] Many of his records featured guitarist and bandleader Johnny Heartsman.[4] He also wrote songs under his real name, Smith, as in "On My Way", the B-side of his first single covering "Reconsider Baby" in 1964.[5] [6]
King died in Oakland, California in January 1999 at the age of 75.[2]
. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-1995. Joel Whitburn . 1996 . Record Research . 244.