Stax Records and its subsidiary Volt were essentially singles labels, constantly searching for a song/artist combination that would connect with the public. Like Motown, Stax had staff musicians that provided backup on most everything released by the labels.

Booker T and the Mg’s were a band in their own right (ever hear “Green Onions”?) but their real fame came from providing instrumentation for Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Rufus Thomas, Wilson Pickett and literally hundreds of other artists. The basic lineup consisted of Booker T. Jones (organ, piano), Steve Cropper (guitar), Al Jackson, Jr. (drums) and by 1965, Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn (bass). What made the band unusual was its integration of two black players and two white players. That might not seem like a big deal from today’s standards, but in Memphis in the early ‘60s, it was more than a big deal – it was crazy. Memphis was plantation country and it practically endorsed racism in its politics, while celebrating it publicly.

As is often the case, though, the laws of physics will eventually apply, or “for every action, there will be an equal and opposite reaction”. The harder the oppression, the stronger the need to express yourself, and those opposed to gerrymandering, brutality and oppression soon found that music provided an excellent means to express yourself outside of the public’s (direct) eye. At a converted movie theater in downtown Memphis, members of the MG’s came to record whatever might have been on that day’s agenda. Often, the band was expanded to include (eventual) luminaries like Isaac Hayes and, in this instance, guitarist and singer Albert King. King had already been around the block a few times before landing at Stax, but here is where he flourished. The MG’s were the perfect band for him, providing passionate yet understated arrangements so the focus would remain on King’s singing and the impassioned, stinging tone of his Gibson Flying V guitar.

The most amazing thing about “Born Under a Bad Sign” is its timing. Coming out as it did in 1967, it seemed as though every guitar player (and soon-to-be guitar player) in the world was waiting for it. Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robbie Robertson and Eric Clapton all point to this record as a major influence on their own style of playing, while thousands of neophytes took up guitar after hearing “Born Under a Bad Sign”. This record was a virtual road map pointing straight to the heart of where blues was headed.

August 1967 - Billboard Charted: Did Not Chart