The man the world knew as “King of the Blues” has died. B.B. King passed away last night (Thursday) at his home in Las Vegas. He was 89. King and his guitar “Lucille” played more than 15-thousand gigs and inspired musicians throughout his life.
B.B. King was a blues virtuoso, with breathtaking solos on his guitar “Lucille”. And that voice, was a voice that hearkened back to his days in Mississippi, where he was born on a cotton plantation before coming to Memphis. Blues artist Bonnie Raitt said, “I don’t think there’s any blues man who’s had a bigger influence.”
He played for audiences around the world, including presidents and he even presented Lucille to the pope. He received numerous awards, multiple Grammys, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom — all for playing the blues like no one else, the music B.B. King once said is really the story of life.
B.B. King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and his unique guitar style inspired guitarists from George Harrison and Jeff Beck to Eric Clapton. Here is a link to the message that Clapton posted upon learning of the death of his long time friend (click on Clapton’s name or the date to see his personal message)…
BB King a dear friend and inspiration to me….
Posted by Eric Clapton on Friday, May 15, 2015
Enjoy a performance of “The Thrill Is Gone” by B.B. King filmed in 1993 live at Montreux…
