B.B. King
Biography
When B.B. King passed away on May 14, 2015, at the age of 89 in Las Vegas, the blues world lost its undisputed king. His death marked the end of an era that had spanned nearly seven decades, during which he had transformed from a sharecropper's son in Mississippi into one of the most influential musicians in history. Even in his final years, King maintained a grueling touring schedule, performing over 250 concerts annually well into his eighties, earning him the nickname "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business" long before James Brown claimed the title.
King's legacy was already firmly cemented by the time he received his final honors. In 2006, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and his influence continued to ripple through generations of musicians. His guitar technique, characterized by his distinctive vibrato and economical note selection, had become the template for blues guitar playing worldwide. The way he could make his beloved Gibson ES-355 "Lucille" sing with just a few perfectly placed notes became the gold standard for emotional expression through the electric guitar.
The peak of King's mainstream recognition came during the late 1980s and 1990s when he collaborated with U2 on "When Love Comes to Town" and released the critically acclaimed album "Blues Summit" in 1993, featuring duets with legends like Robert Cray, Albert Collins, and Buddy Guy. These collaborations introduced his music to entirely new audiences and demonstrated his ability to remain relevant across generations. His 1991 album "Live at San Quentin" reminded the world that prison performances had been a significant part of his career, following in the footsteps of Johnny Cash's famous recordings.
King's commercial breakthrough had come much earlier with 1970's "The Thrill Is Gone," which became his signature song and only top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. This haunting ballad, with its orchestral arrangement and King's pleading vocals, perfectly encapsulated his ability to convey deep emotion through restraint rather than excess. The song earned him his first Grammy Award and opened doors to rock venues and festivals, expanding his audience beyond traditional blues circles.
Throughout the 1960s, King had been building his reputation as a live performer while recording prolifically for ABC Records. Albums like "Live at the Regal" (1965) captured the electricity of his performances and are still considered among the greatest live blues recordings ever made. His guitar style during this period was reaching full maturity, characterized by his use of complex jazz chords, single-note runs, and that unmistakable vibrato that made every note unmistakably his.
King's recording career began in earnest in the 1950s with RPM Records, where he scored numerous R&B hits including "Three O'Clock Blues," "You Don't Know Me," and "Sweet Little Angel." These early recordings established many of the musical phrases and vocal inflections that would become blues standards. His guitar playing during this era was already revolutionary, drawing from jazz guitarists like Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt while maintaining deep roots in Delta blues traditions.
Born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, on a cotton plantation near Itta Bena, Mississippi, his early life was marked by poverty and hardship. His parents separated when he was young, and he was raised primarily by his grandmother. His first musical experiences came through gospel music in church and the field hollers of plantation workers. A pivotal moment came when his cousin Bukka White, already an established blues musician, gave him his first real guitar and taught him basic techniques.
King's musical education continued when he moved to Memphis in 1947, where he was influenced by the urban blues scene on Beale Street. He began performing on street corners and in small clubs, eventually landing a spot on radio station WDIA, where he earned the nickname "Blues Boy," later shortened to "B.B." His radio work helped him develop his distinctive speaking style and connected him with audiences throughout the South.
The name "Lucille" for his guitar came from a legendary incident in the 1950s when King rescued his guitar from a burning nightclub in Arkansas, later learning that the fire had started during a fight over a woman named Lucille. This story became part of blues folklore and symbolized King's devotion to his instrument and craft. Through Lucille and his incomparable voice, B.B. King didn't just play the blues – he became the living embodiment of them, transforming personal pain into universal art that continues to move listeners around the world.
