Kerry Ray King (born June 3, 1964) is an American musician, best known as a guitarist for the American thrash metal band Slayer. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and has been a member ever since. He became lead songwriter of the band after Hanneman's death. Kerry King also played as lead guitarist with Dave Mustaine in 1984 with his band Megadeth.

Biography

King was born in Los Angeles, California. His father was an aircraft parts inspector, and his mother was an employee of a telephone company. Kerry attended Warren High School in Downey, CA and started learning guitar at Calvano's Music in South Gate.

In 1981 King was at a session trying out for the position of guitarist in a band. After the session was over Jeff Hanneman approached him and the two began playing Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs with the session's drummer. King and Hanneman decided to start their own band.

King's trademark personal appearance and extensive tattoos were praised to such a degree by Blender magazine that they produced a tour of his body ink. King's abbreviation, KFK, was revealed to mean "Kerry Fuckin' King" in the January 2007 Issue of Guitar World. King currently resides in Corona, California.