The seventh son of a seventh son, Earl King composes songs that are witty, wry observations of human nature. Earl’s guitar playing, inspired by Guitar Slim and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, directly influenced Jimi Hendrix, whose rendition of Earl King’s "Come On (Let the Good Times Roll)" is a highlight of the Electric Ladyland album.

For four decades, Earl King (born Earl Silas Johnson, February 6, 1934) has been the reigning monarch of New Orleans rhythm and blues. King’s career is linked with...