BB King (Riley B. King)
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| BB King (Riley B. King) | |
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| Name | B.B. King |
| Caption | B.B. King in 1997 |
| Birth name | Riley B. King |
| Birth date | September 16, 1925 |
| Birth place | Itta Bena, Mississippi, United States |
| Death date | May 14, 2015 |
| Death place | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Genres | Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Bandleader |
| Instruments | Guitar, Vocals |
| Years active | 1940s–2015 |
| Labels | RPM, Chess, ABC, MCA, Geffen |
| Associated acts | Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton |
BB King (Riley B. King) Riley B. King was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose career spanned seven decades. Known for his expressive vibrato and fluid single-note guitar style, he became one of the most influential figures in 20th-century American music, bridging Delta blues, urban blues, and popular music. King's work earned him widespread recognition among peers in Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and later collaborators such as Eric Clapton, U2, Stevie Wonder, and Carlos Santana.
Early life and education
King was born near Itta Bena, Mississippi and raised in the Mississippi Delta, a region associated with figures like Charley Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Waters. He was the son of truck driver Albert King and schoolteacher Nora Ella King, and after his parents separated he lived with his mother and stepfather in Kilmichael, Mississippi and later with relatives in Tulelake, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. Influences from the rural environment echoed the traditions of gospel music in church choirs and itinerant musicians. King received limited formal schooling but learned music through community performances and radio broadcasts that featured artists such as Louis Armstrong, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and T-Bone Walker.
Musical career
King began his professional career in the 1940s singing on radio programs like those on WDIA in Memphis, Tennessee, joining a milieu that included Sun Records contemporaries and radio personalities. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1940s and recorded early singles for labels such as RPM Records and Modern Records, linking him to artists on those labels including B.B. King's contemporaries and session players from the Central Avenue scene. His career accelerated with the formation of the B.B. King Orchestra and long-running "Blues Boy" tours, performing in venues ranging from Chitlin' Circuit theaters to international festivals like the Monterey Pop Festival and tours with artists such as Buddy Guy, Earl Hooker, and Freddie King. King navigated changing industry landscapes working with labels Chess Records, ABC Records, and MCA Records, and later had crossover success on Geffen Records and collaborations with Clapton and U2.
Style and influences
King's guitar style combined elements from Delta blues pioneers including Robert Johnson and urban stylists such as T-Bone Walker and Lonnie Johnson. He popularized a lyrical single-note approach and a distinctive vibrato often associated with guitarists like Bessie Smith's era singers and jazz players such as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. His preferred instrument, nicknamed "Lucille", drew lineage from guitars used by Les Paul and Benny Goodman era players, while his phrasing reflected influences from vocalists including Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke, and Ray Charles. King's band arrangements incorporated horn sections and rhythm patterns reminiscent of Louis Jordan jump blues, melding blues with rhythm and blues and elements of soul music popularized by artists like Otis Redding.
Major recordings and performances
Key recordings include early singles like "Three O'Clock Blues" and albums such as Live at the Regal, which placed him alongside historic live records like James Brown's concert releases and Aretha Franklin's live work. He scored hits with songs including "The Thrill Is Gone", written by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell, and appeared on landmark recordings and collaborative albums with Eric Clapton (Riding with the King), Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, and guest spots on releases by U2 and Roy Orbison. King performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Newport Jazz Festival, and televised events such as The Tonight Show and the Grammy Awards ceremonies. His extensive touring made him a staple of blues festivals like the Chicago Blues Festival and international stages across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Awards and honors
King received numerous awards, among them multiple Grammy Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and inductions into halls such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, and the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. He was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and received accolades from institutions like Kennedy Center and NARAS. Academic and civic recognitions included honorary degrees from universities and proclamations by municipal governments honoring his contributions to American music.
Personal life and legacy
King's personal life included marriages and relationships reflected in blues traditions; he fathered multiple children and maintained residences in Beverly Hills, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. He remained active in philanthropy supporting causes tied to music education charities, historical preservation efforts in the Mississippi Delta, and foundations honoring blues heritage. King's legacy informed generations of guitarists and singers including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, and contemporary blues and rock musicians. Institutional legacies include museum exhibits in Mississippi and collections in institutions like the Smithsonian Institution that preserve his instruments and recordings. His influence endures in modern popular music, film soundtracks, and ongoing tributes at festivals and academic studies of American music history.
Category:Blues musicians Category:American guitarists Category:Grammy Award winners