That’s Alright (Live 1974 / ZOO Broadcast)

The song "That’s Alright (Live 1974 / ZOO Broadcast)" by Freddie King is a soulful acoustic gem captured during a rare radio performance, showcasing his raw vocal power and understated guitar finesse. This live version, recorded for a Dallas-based station and later included on the 1996 album Live at the Electric Ballroom, stands out for its intimate vibe, contrasting with King’s usual electric blues intensity. In a 1975 interview with Rock’s Backpages, King mentioned his love for stripping down songs to their core, saying, “Sometimes you don’t need all that flash—just the feeling.” Fans on the Freddie King Fan Club Facebook group often cite this performance as a favorite, noting how it reveals a softer side of the blues titan, with one fan posting, “That acoustic ‘That’s Alright’ hits you right in the soul—like Freddie’s talking to you alone.”

Another tidbit about the song comes from its context within the ZOO Broadcast, a moment when King was transitioning between record labels and leaning into live performances to connect with fans. The YouTube upload of this track has sparked comments praising King’s ability to command a room with minimal instrumentation, a testament to his versatility. Unlike his electrified hits like “Hide Away,” this rendition of “That’s Alright” leans heavily on his voice, which he once described in a Gibson interview as his “first instrument.” The song’s inclusion in the ZOO Broadcast also ties it to the era’s vibrant radio culture, where stations like KZEW (The Zoo) championed raw, authentic performances, as noted in a D Magazine piece about the station’s legacy.

Freddie King was born Fred Christian on September 3, 1934, in Gilmer, Texas, and his journey into music began early, shaped by the rural sounds of his upbringing. At age six, he picked up the guitar under the guidance of his mother, Ella Mae, and uncle Leon, who taught him the thumb-and-finger picking style rooted in country blues. King later credited legends like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Louis Jordan as influences, mimicking Jordan’s saxophone riffs note-for-note on his guitar, as he shared in a freddieking.net biography. By his teens, King’s family had moved to Chicago, where he soaked up the city’s electric blues scene, forming his first band, the Every Hour Blues Boys, with guitarist Jimmie Lee Robinson and drummer Frank “Sonny” Scott.

King’s big break came after relentless gigging in Chicago’s clubs, though not without struggle. Repeatedly rejected by Chess Records for sounding “too much like B.B. King,” he forged his own vocal style, later calling the rejection a “blessing” in a Melody Maker interview. His persistence paid off when he signed with Federal Records in 1960, landing hits with “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” and the instrumental “Hide Away,” which climbed to number five on the R&B charts. This launched him into the spotlight as one of the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar,” alongside B.B. and Albert King, cementing his influence on electric blues.

For more on Freddie King, visit his official website at freddieking.net. While no official, active social media accounts exist due to his passing in 1976, fans keep his legacy alive through platforms like the Freddie King Official Facebook page, which shares archival photos and music updates. On Instagram, the hashtag #freddieking yields tributes from musicians and collectors showcasing vintage records. Similarly, X features posts from blues enthusiasts discussing his impact. Fan communities thrive in spaces like the Freddie King Fan Club on Facebook, where members swap stories and rare recordings, and Blues Rock Review, a fan-driven site, frequently celebrates King’s discography with reviews and articles.