Guitarist Ed King, a past member of the Strawberry Alarm Clock and Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died. He was 68.
The Strawberry Alarm Clock remembered King “as a brother, friend and mentor to us all.”
“His musicality amazes us to this day,” the band said upon learning of King’s passing.
King died Aug. 22 at his home in Nashville. The guitarist retired in the mid-1990s and had suffered health issues for several decades.
As a young man, King co-wrote the music for the Strawberry Alarm Clock’s biggest hit, “Incense and Peppermints.” For Lynyrd Skynyrd, he co-wrote the Southern rock anthem “Home Sweet Alabama.”
“Ed was our brother, and a great songwriter and guitar player,” said fellow Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington. “I know he will be reunited with the rest of the boys in Rock and Roll Heaven.” King and Rossington were the surviving members of the classic lineup of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Other Strawberry Alarm Clock songs for which King received writing credits included “Tomorrow,” “Sit With the Guru,” “The Black Butter Trilogy,” “Pretty Song From Psych-Out” and “Soft Skies, No Lies.” (King wrote with keyboardist Mark Weitz and guitarist Lee Freeman.)
King remained close with other members of the veteran California rock band. This year, the group worked on a remake of the song “Incense and Peppermints” featuring the group’s original lineup. “Ed was very gracious in reproducing his iconic guitar parts and solo,” the band said.
King also reunited with the Strawberry Alarm Clock in 2007 for an appearance at Roger Ebert’s film festival.
As a teenager, King was a founding member of Thee Sixpence, the high school group that transformed itself into the Strawberry Alarm Clock. King stayed with the band until 1972, when he took a flyer and joined a Southern rock band that had opened for the Strawberry Alarm Clock on a regional tour. That band was Lynyrd Skynyrd, which was heading into the studio to record its first album with producer Al Kooper.
King started out playing bass and then switched to guitar. King stayed with Skynyrd for three classic albums. He left before the fatal plane crash that claimed the life of Ronnie Van Zant and other two other members of the band.
Other Lynyrd Skynyrd songs with King’s writing credits included “Saturday Night Special,” “Workin’ for MCA,” “Railroad Song” and “Whiskey Rock-a-Roller.”
In 1987, King joined the Lynyrd Skynyrd survivors reunion tour and played with the band until health problems forced him out in 1996.
In 2006, King entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
King’s death was announced by his family on Facebook. “We thank his many friends and fans for their love and support of Ed during his life and career,” they said.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon, three sons and a brother.
Amazing, underappreciated musician.
Memory Eternal Mr. King!!!
Just watched, “If I Leave Here Tomorrow” on SHO….one would never have thought that the Alarm Clock and Skynyrd would have crossed paths. … He came across as a really cool guy in the film – definitely an unsung hero with a lasting legacy.