B.B. King

B.B. King
Birth name	Riley B. King
Born	(1925-09-16)September 16, 1925 Berclair, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	May 14, 2015(2015-05-14) (aged 89) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres	Blues, R&B, Rock and roll
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer-songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1942–2014
Labels	RPM, Kent, ABC, MCA, Geffen

B.B. King (born Riley B. King; September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015) was an American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. He introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending and shimmering vibrato that influenced many later electric blues guitarists.

Early Life

B.B. King was born on a cotton plantation in Berclair, Mississippi, and later worked at a cotton gin in Indianola, Mississippi. He was attracted to music and the guitar in church, and began his career in radio.

Career

King's career began in earnest in 1948, when he performed on Sonny Boy Williamson's radio program on KWEM in West Memphis, Arkansas. He later secured a ten-minute spot on the Memphis radio station WDIA, where he became known as the "Beale Street Blues Boy," later shortened to "B.B."

Rise to Fame

In the 1950s, King became one of the most important names in R&B music, amassing an impressive list of hits under his belt, including "3 O'Clock Blues," "You Know I Love You," and "Please Love Me." His relentless touring schedule and his unique style of guitar playing earned him the title "King of the Blues."

Lucille

King's guitar, named "Lucille," became as famous as the man himself. The name originated from an incident in the winter of 1949, when King was performing at a dance hall in Twist, Arkansas. A fight broke out, causing a fire, and King rushed back into the burning building to retrieve his guitar. He later learned that the fight was over a woman named Lucille, and he named his guitar after her as a reminder to never fight over a woman.

Legacy

B.B. King's influence on the music world is immeasurable. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and he received numerous awards, including 15 Grammy Awards. His style of playing has influenced countless musicians, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Death

B.B. King passed away on May 14, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 89. His death marked the end of an era for the blues, but his music continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

Discography

King's discography is extensive, with over 40 studio albums, including notable works such as Live at the Regal (1965), Indianola Mississippi Seeds (1970), and Riding with the King (2000) with Eric Clapton.

See Also

• Blues music
• List of blues musicians
• History of the guitar

External Links

• Official website
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame profile