Riley B. King, better known as B.B. King was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He introduced a very smooth style of guitar solos; based on string bending and vibrato. This later was a major influence to most blues and even rock and roll electric guitar players. Born on September 16th, 1925 on a cotton plantation in Itta Benna, Mississippi. He later worked at a cotton gin in Indianola, Mississippi. He was amazed by music, especially the guitar in church and began his career on local radio and tiny, small music spots. Mississippi, he learned how to play guitar and later hitchhiked to Memphis, TN to persue his music career. King was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1948 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. He was nicknamed "The King of the Blues." He would perform on average more than 200 concerts a year, even into his 70s. King died at the age of 89 in Law Vegas, Nevada on May 14th, 2015. A funeral procession went down Beale Street (known for being famous for the history of the blues) with thousands lining the streets to play their respects, and a brass band marching in front. His website can be found here.... The B.B. King Museum can be found here... |
* B.B. King was an amazing musician. It is so interesting to watch his face when he plays because he seems to get lost in the music. B.B. King was also a spokesperson for Diabetes and did appear on many commercials to promote diabetes awareness and care.
* B.B. King was known for playing Gibson Guitars. His signature guitar was Lucille.This guitar is one of the most iconic guitars in blues, rock and music history to date.
*The original Lucille is a Gibson ES-355 model. All Lucille guitars were usually black in colour. In 1980, Gibson guitars introduced a B.B. King custom model. The guitar got her name after B.B. King rescued her from a burning building that was started by two men fighting over a woman named Lucille.
* B.B. King was known for playing Gibson Guitars. His signature guitar was Lucille.This guitar is one of the most iconic guitars in blues, rock and music history to date.
*The original Lucille is a Gibson ES-355 model. All Lucille guitars were usually black in colour. In 1980, Gibson guitars introduced a B.B. King custom model. The guitar got her name after B.B. King rescued her from a burning building that was started by two men fighting over a woman named Lucille.