Gerry Van King, crowned the King of Sixth Street, passed away at Christus Santa Rosa hospital in San Marcos last week at age 72.
From the late Eighties through the Aughts, Van King could be found in sunglasses and a plastic crown, playing original blues-funk songs in front of Jazz: A Louisiana Kitchen (now BBG’s sports bar) at 214 East Sixth. His catchy melodies, tireless talent, and charming personality cemented him as a bastion of old Austin.
“I couldn’t be here without the grace from God and new family, new friends, all the beautiful people who come down on Sixth Street having a positive, funky vibe and groove,” the born-and-raised Austinite told the camera in The King of Sixth Street, a 2003 documentary centered on the artist.
Director Charles Burmeister, a Michener alum screenwriter, lived with Van King for a time, playing music with him and eventually capturing his singular performance style and the many nightlife regulars who stopped in to sing along to favorite originals like “Tiger on the Loose” and “Funkified.”
“He’s incredibly original in the way he plays bass, that he both strums chords and also plays basslines with his thumb,” remembers Burmeister.
The bassist started out busking all throughout the entertainment district but found a true home at Jazz. Then-owner Tom Prindible moved the street-facing window four feet inward to provide a sidewalk stage for the charismatic performer. Prindible even commissioned a neon crown to hang at head-level for Van King, rendering his signature performance apparel permanent.
“Anybody that’s ever partied on Sixth Street, man, they know Gerry,” Matt Key, a producer for DFW label Aaron Ave Records, said in the film. He and label owner Alan Petsche caught their first glimpse of Van King at South by Southwest in 1997. Returning a year later, they convinced the artist to sign a record deal. The Cause of It All, released in 1999, contains 10 tracks that the 2011 Austin Chronicle Music Anthology described as “first-class, old-skool funkateering.”
Van King faced harassment from the Austin Police Department in the Aughts, and retired from performing on Sixth Street when Jazz closed in 2007.
A man of several catchphrases, Van King “never made money; just blessings” among “new family, new friends,” and trusted in God’s path for him and his music.
“Another one was: ‘standing tall, looking good, and a worthy opponent,’” remembers longtime friend Jason Davis, who lived with the musician at several points and cherished catching Parliament-Funkadelic concerts with Van King through his later years.
A Vietnam veteran, Van King was cared for by Veterans Affairs as his health waned in later years and spent the rest of his life in Austin. Confirming his death to Fox7, his granddaughter, Destiny McWilliams, said he continued to play at family gatherings and will be buried in his signature crown.
A funeral will be held for Van King at Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Services, 2808 E. MLK Blvd., on Friday, June 5, at 1pm.
This article appears in June 5 • 2026.
