Earl King, born Earl Silas Johnson IV, was a New Orleans based artist. He wrote and recorded hundreds of songs, in many styles, ranging from New Orleans rhythm & blues in the 1950s to more progressive soul arrangements. The short list that follows represents his traditional New Orleans sounds. Most of Earl's singles were issued on the Ace, Specialty, and Imperial labels.

Earl Silas Johnson IV used the stage name Earl King throughout most of his recording career. Earl King (born Earl Silas Johnson IV) of New Orleans is not the same artist as Earl Connelly King (Philadelphia, PA).

Earl King wrote and recorded "soul" songs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to be a commercial success long after the classic rhythm and blues period ended. Earl King is one of the few artists to remain a commercial success after the so-called "British Invasion." Although Earl had only regional success in the singles 45 rpm market, he went on to be a respected national performer. He later played and recorded with "Roomful of Blues." Earl King gained success in the vinyl LP and CD market by catering to a soul audience in the 1970s and 1980s.

Earl King

Born: Earl Silas Johnson IV: February 7, 1934 - New Orleans, LA
Died: April 17, 2003 - New Orleans, LA

Earl Johnson - (Savoy 1102 1953) Have You Gone Crazy
Recorded before using stage name Earl King
Earl King - (Specialty 495 1954) A Mother's Love
Art Rupe (Specialty) intended to name him King Earl, as he was vocal in a group named The Kings, but the typesetter reversed the names
Written by Earl King - a great record; ten years head of its time
foreshadowed "soul" genre to come ten years later
The Kings - (Specialty 497 1954) Till I Say Well Done
Earl King vcl.
Earl King - (Specialty 495 1954) I'm Your Best Bet Baby
(Specialty 531 1954) Eating and Sleeping
(Specialty Uniss 1954) I'm Packin' Up
(Ace 509 1955) Baby, You Can Get Your Gun / Those Lonely, Lonely Nights
Written by Earl King - sold only 250,000 copies
One of the most popular in New Orleans Juke joints
(Ace 514 1955) My Love Is Strong / Little Girl
(Ace 520 1956) Mother Told Me Not To Go / Is Everything Alright?
(Ace 529 1957) Those Lonely, Lonely Feelings / You Can Fly High
(Ace 543 1958) I'll Never Get Tired / Well 'O Well 'O Well 'O, Baby
Handsome Earl - (Vin 1003 1958) Everybody Got to Cry
Off Ace label Earl King as Handsome Earl!
(Ace 564 1959) A Weary Silent Night / Everybody's Carried Away
(Ace 598 1960) Don't You Know You're Wrong / Buddy, It's Time To Go
(Imperial 5713 1960) Come On (Let the Good Times Roll) / Always A First Time
Written by Earl King -
One of the most popular by cover bands in New Orleans
(Imperial 5730 1960) The Things That I Used to Do
(Imperial 5774 1961) You Better Know
(Imperial 5811 1962) Trick Bag
Written by Earl King -
"Trick Bag" is one of the most popular by cover bands in New Orleans
(Imperial 5858 1962) You're More to Me than Gold
(Wand 11232 1962) Mama and Papa
(Hot Line 908 1965) Poor Sam
(Checker 1167 1967) Poor Sam / Feeling My Way Around
(Kansu 101 1972) Street Parade