King, Karl (1891-1971), was an American bandmaster and composer. He wrote about 300 works, including more than 200 marches. Much of King’s music was written for, or heavily influenced by, the circus. His Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite (1913) became the theme song of that circus and ranks as one of the most popular marches ever written.
Karl Lawrence King was born on Feb. 21, 1891, in Paintersville, Ohio, near Xenia. He grew up in Canton, Cleveland, and Xenia, Ohio, and studied music with the local bandmaster in Canton. King left school after eighth grade. For a time, he worked in a printer’s shop during the day and composed at night. His first march was published when he was 17. King became a professional baritone player about 1910 and played with several circus bands. In 1920, he began a 50-year career as director of the Fort Dodge (Iowa) Municipal Band. He died on March 31, 1971.
