BB King

Biography

B.B. King, born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, near Itta Bena, Mississippi, grew up in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, where gospel music and the blues shaped his early musical sensibilities[3][2]. After serving in World War II, King moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and began his career as a disc jockey at WDIA, earning the nickname 'Beale Street Blues Boy,' later shortened to 'B.B.'[1][3]. He taught himself guitar and was soon performing in juke joints and on local radio, drawing inspiration from Delta blues and jazz guitarists[3][2].

King's breakthrough came with his 1952 hit '3 O'Clock Blues,' which launched him into national prominence and led to a prolific recording career with a string of rhythm and blues hits throughout the 1950s and 1960s[2][3]. His signature style—marked by fluid string bending, shimmering vibrato, and staccato picking—became a model for electric blues guitarists and influenced generations of musicians[2]. King was renowned for his tireless touring schedule, sometimes performing more than 300 shows a year, and for his dynamic live performances, such as the seminal album 'Live at the Regal' recorded in Chicago in 1964[2][3].

B.B. King's legacy as 'The King of the Blues' is cemented by his role as a principal figure in the development of modern blues and his influence on rock and popular music[2][3]. He won 15 Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and continued to perform and collaborate with artists across genres until his death in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 14, 2015[2][3][1].

Fun Facts

• B.B. King's guitar was famously named 'Lucille' after an incident in which he rescued his guitar from a burning nightclub.
• In 1956, King performed 342 concerts in a single year, a testament to his relentless touring schedule.
• He founded his own record label, Blues Boys Kingdom, in Memphis in 1956.
• King once presented his guitar 'Lucille' to Pope John Paul II during a Vatican Christmas concert in 1997.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Bukka White - King's cousin and an influential Delta blues guitarist who helped guide his early development. (Early blues performances and informal lessons) [1940s]
• T-Bone Walker - Pioneering electric blues guitarist whose style heavily influenced King's guitar technique. (Inspired King's single-string leads and vibrato) [1940s–1950s]
• Charlie Christian - Jazz guitarist whose improvisational approach influenced King's phrasing. (Inspired King's melodic soloing) [1940s–1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Eric Clapton - Frequent collaborator and admirer; together they recorded a Grammy-winning album. (Riding With the King (2000)) [2000]
• U2 - Collaborated on the single 'When Love Comes to Town,' introducing King to a new generation. (Rattle and Hum (1988)) [1988]
• Louisiana Gator Boys (Blues Brothers 2000) - Performed as lead singer alongside other blues legends in the film. (The Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)) [1998]

Artists Influenced

• Jimi Hendrix - Cited King as a major influence on his blues-based guitar style. (Electric blues guitar techniques) [1960s]
• Eric Clapton - Modeled much of his blues playing after King's phrasing and vibrato. (Cream, solo career) [1960s–present]
• Buddy Guy - Inspired by King's expressive guitar work and stage presence. (Chicago blues recordings) [1960s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. The Thrill Is Gone (Completely Well)
2. The Thrill Is Gone (Deuces Wild)
3. When Love Comes To Town (Rattle And Hum)
4. We Are The World - Live (B.B. King - Featuring)
5. Riding With the King (Riding With The King)
6. Bring It On Home To Me (Deuces Wild)
7. Chains And Things (Indianola Mississippi Seeds)
8. Blues Boys Tune (Blues On The Bayou)
9. Why I Sing The Blues (Live And Well)
10. The Thrill Is Gone (B.B. King & Friends - 80)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia