THE KING BROTHERS - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - NyAirWaves Radio SEPT 9, 2016

THE KING BROTHERS - The King Brothers’ passion and visceral interpretation of the Blues attracts fans from all walks of life! Rather than relying solely on tried-and-true Blues stylings, which they inherited naturally from Blues legends like their second cousin Freddie King and their "adopted Uncle" Albert King, Sam and Lee King are establishing a new standard. “It’s danceable, it’s rock-flavored, funk-flavored, and gospel-flavored,” explains Lee. “I don’t know a damn thing about picking cotton; I don’t drink whiskey; I don’t dip snuff; I don’t fit any of those bluesman stereotypes, I do Blues the way I feel it.” Raised in the San Francisco Bay area, the brothers have been playing together for 60 years. With Lee on guitar and Sam on drums, the brothers began by performing in and winning elementary school talent shows. Later, Lee went on to play with Ike Turner, Big Joe Turner, and both Sam and Lee toured with Freddie King and Albert King. While Sam toured with Albert King, they recorded the landmark Blues at Sunrise album, and Sam appeared in the movie Crossroads. The brothers had a successful live performance career that was highlighted by appearances on television and radio. In 1992, Albert King presented Lee King with his prize guitar, Lucy, a Flying V that was commissioned for Albert by ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons. Lee was greatly moved. “He passed on the torch. It’s a very special instrument; the finest guitar I’ve ever played,” he says. But even with all of their history with the Blues’ finest, the King Brothers are moving forward with their own unique approach to the music, rather than rely on imitation.