B.B. King

B.B. King was a renowned American musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, known for his expressive and soulful voice, as well as his mastery of the Gibson ES-355 guitar, which he affectionately called Lucille. Born in Indianola, Mississippi, King grew up in a musical family and was influenced by artists such as Robert Johnson, Son House, and Charlie Christian. He began his music career in the 1940s, performing on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, and later became a regular on the Chitlin' Circuit, a network of venues that catered to African American audiences, including the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. King's music was also influenced by Delta blues musicians, such as Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters, who were known for their powerful and emotive performances at venues like the Chess Records studio in Chicago, Illinois.

Early Life and Career

B.B. King was born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, in Indianola, Mississippi, to a family of African American sharecroppers, and grew up in a musical family that included his mother, Nora Ella King, and his uncle, Booker White, who introduced him to the Gospel music of artists like Mahalia Jackson and The Golden Gate Quartet. King's early life was marked by hardship and struggle, including the death of his mother when he was just nine years old, after which he was raised by his grandmother, Elnora Farr, in Kilmichael, Mississippi. He began singing in the Gospel choir at the Elkhorn Baptist Church in Kilmichael, Mississippi, and later formed a Gospel group with his friends, performing at local Churches and Community centers, including the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.. King's music career took off in the 1940s, when he began performing on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, alongside other notable musicians, such as Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, and Rosco Gordon, who were all associated with the Sun Records label, founded by Sam Phillips.

Music Style and Influences

B.B. King's music style was characterized by his expressive and soulful voice, as well as his mastery of the Gibson ES-355 guitar, which he used to create a unique and distinctive sound that blended elements of Blues, Rhythm and blues, and Rock and roll, influenced by artists like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Bo Diddley. King's music was also influenced by Delta blues musicians, such as Son House and Robert Johnson, who were known for their powerful and emotive performances, as well as by Jazz musicians, such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie, who were known for their sophisticated and complex arrangements, often performed at venues like the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City. King's music was further influenced by his collaborations with other notable musicians, including Eric Clapton, U2, Bonnie Raitt, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, with whom he performed at various Music festivals, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and recorded albums like Deuces Wild and Riding with the King, released on labels like Geffen Records and Reprise Records.

Discography

B.B. King's discography includes over 60 studio and live albums, as well as numerous compilations and collaborations, released on labels like RCA Records, ABC Records, and MCA Records. Some of his most notable albums include Singin' the Blues (1956), The Great B.B. King (1960), and Live at the Regal (1965), which was recorded at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois, and features performances of songs like "Every Day I Have the Blues", "Sweet Little Angel", and "How Blue Can You Get". King also released several albums in collaboration with other musicians, including Eric Clapton (Riding with the King), U2 (Deuces Wild), and Bonnie Raitt (Deuces Wild), and performed at various Music venues, such as the Fillmore West in San Francisco, California, and the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Awards and Legacy

B.B. King won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including 15 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a National Medal of Arts, presented by President George W. Bush at the White House in 2006. King was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980, and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1995, alongside other notable artists, such as Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. King's legacy continues to be celebrated by musicians and fans around the world, and his music remains a powerful influence on contemporary artists, such as John Mayer, Gary Clark Jr., and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, who have all performed at venues like the Crossroads Guitar Festival and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Personal Life

B.B. King was married twice, first to Martha Lee Denton from 1946 to 1952, and then to Sue Carol Hall from 1958 to 1966, with whom he had two children, Riley B. King Jr. and Shirley King, and was also a Baptist and a Democrat, who supported various Charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross and the United Service Organizations (USO), and performed at numerous Benefit concerts, such as the Live Aid concert in 1985, and the Farm Aid concert in 1986, alongside other notable musicians, such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young. King passed away on May 14, 2015, at the age of 89, in Las Vegas, Nevada, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential and beloved musicians of all time, with a career that spanned over six decades and included performances at iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, and the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Category:American blues musicians