A gleaming vision dressed in all white, Elizabeth King cut a striking figure against the Big Muddy.
Backdropped by Mississippi River, Memphis’ octogenarian queen of sacred soul played on the Mempho Presents stage on May 3, kicking off the final day of the RiverBeat Music Festival at Tom Lee Park in Downtown Memphis.
Offering a kind of Sunday service, the Mempho Presents Stage scheduled a series of Mid-South gospel greats including the Wilkins Sisters and Jubilee Hummingbirds as part of the day’s entertainment.
But it was King who delivered the first and best performance for a small but enthusiastic crowd that basked in her infectious sprit and danced to the smoldering gospel grooves of her backing band.
The funky four-piece combo — led by guitar Texas wizard Will Sexton, Reigning Sound keyboardist Alex Greene, drummer Tavion Robinson and King’s son Zack McGhee on bass — provided empathetic support for King’s intense religious devotionals.
“How about my band? Nothing but professionals up here but me,” joked King, introducing the group.
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A Mississippi native and longtime Memphian, King has been one of the great resurrection stories in local music since signing to the Bible & Tire Recording Co. in 2019. King, who released a handful of sides in the early 1970s, left music to raise a family, 15 kids in all.
Finally, in her late 70s, she got a chance at a second act, and has since put out several critically acclaimed albums including 2021’s “Living in the Last Days,” 2022’s “I Got a Love” and 2024’s “Soul Provider.”
Even at 81, her voice remains a powerful instrument, one she put to good use on a selection of searing numbers that testified to her faith, including “A Long Journey,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “I Got A Love.”
“This song is for everybody out here whether you know the Lord or not,” said King, introducing the slow-burning song of praise, “Everybody Needs Somebody.” “But I know you know Him or you wouldn’t be out here today.”
At the end of her set, King summoned members of her family — including her daughter and granddaughter — from the audience to join her on stage.
The four Kings then created a stunning blend of voices and vibrations as they worked through “Pure Heavenly Joy,” harmonizing on an extended coda that brought the audience on their feet.
The show over, King bowed, put on her shawl, threw on her purse and walked off stage, having served the Lord and provided a bit of salvation for those at RiverBeat as well.
Memphis' queen of sacred soul Elizabeth King takes RiverBeat music fest crowd to church – The Commercial Appeal
