Marcus King buys vintage guitar while intoxicated
Blues-rock artist Marcus King has been making waves since his debut album Soul Insight in 2014. Collaborating with industry legends like Rick Rubin and Dan Auerbach, King’s star continues to rise. Recently, he had the honor of performing with Rory Gallagher’s white Fender Telecaster and Jeff Beck’s Yardburst Les Paul at live shows.
Apart from handling these iconic instruments, King has also been on an interesting journey with vintage guitars. In a peculiar incident, he admitted to buying a ’66 Esquire while under the influence and forgetting about it. He recalled, “I was drinking a lot and forgot that I bought it. The folks at Carter Vintage called me and were like, ‘You gonna come get this guitar?’ It’s probably the only good thing that ever came from my drinking.” Despite this quirky hiccup, King’s passion for music shines through in his old-school playing style.
Interestingly, King has been exploring various instruments beyond the guitar. He shared, “When I’m at home, I don’t like to touch the guitar.” Favoring the piano, pedal steel, fiddle, banjo, and ukulele, King finds solace in diversifying his musical skill set. According to him, playing different instruments only enhances his guitar playing skills. He believes that true musicians should be versatile across various instruments, much like Victor Wooten advocates in his book, The Music Lesson.
While King’s heart lies with the guitar, he emphasizes the importance of being a well-rounded musician. He mused, “Guitar is so deeply rooted in me. I like to play different instruments, and it helps my playing when I go back to guitar. It’s a holy experience to be able to sit at a guitar and say exactly what I have on my mind.” King’s dedication to musicality shines through his work, evident in the recent release of his ES-345 signature model with Gibson and the much-anticipated album, Darling Blue, with his band.
King’s musical journey is a testament to his dedication to the craft. Despite his youthful energy and carefree spirit, his commitment to honing his skills and exploring new musical horizons shines through. With vintage guitars, iconic collaborations, and a diverse range of musical influences, Marcus King continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.