B. B. King (born Riley B. King) was an American blues guitarist and singer. Widely considered one of the greatest and most respected blues guitarists of all time, and is possibly the most recognizable name in the blues genre.
Was one of the most talented and celebrated electric-blues artists of the late 20th Century. He recorded between 90 to 100 blues albums over the course of his singing career and was known for refining electric-blues more than any other blues artist, (a genre invented by the late great Muddy Waters ).
Claimed to have fathered 15 children out of wedlock, all with different women. At the time of his death, news sources claimed that his 15 children were a combination of biological and adopted (but did not indicate how many of each), but that only 11 of those children survived him. Those included eldest surviving daughter Shirley King, who was upset that she did not get a chance to see her father before his death.
He played a Gibson B.B. King Lucille. The model he played used to have a Gibson number name, but starting in 1982, after making some special modifications per Kings requests, the guitar became the Lucille model.
Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1990.
According to Las Vegas coroners report, B.B. King died from Alzheimers disease, with type 2 diabetes, coronary artery atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, hypertension and cerebral vascular disease acting as significant contributing factors. He died peacefully in his sleep at 9:40 p.m. PDT, at his home in Las Vegas, NV. He canceled a tour in October 2014, citing dehydration and exhaustion stemming from the diabetes.
Mentioned in the song "Life Is a Rock But the Radio Rolled Me" by Reunion.
He was awarded the Polar Music Prize, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music Award, on May 24, 2004.
He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1990 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C.
Mentioned in the song "Dig It" by The Beatles.
Performed the song "When Love Comes to Town" in a duet with U2 from the album "Rattle and Hum".
Was a vegetarian, non-drinker and -smoker, and licensed pilot.
Owned blues clubs in Memphis, New York City, and Los Angeles.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6771 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
(September 2008) Attended the opening of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretative Center in Indianola, Mississippi.
The name B.B. King is short for his first stage name, Blues Boy King.
He chopped and picked cotton as a boy.
Won 15 Grammys and sold more than 40 million records worldwide, a remarkable number for blues.
Received the Kennedy Center Honors, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) Chairmans Award, among many other awards.
His music inspired Jimi Hendrix , Robert Cray , The Rolling Stones , and Eric Clapton.
Toured with the band U2.
Was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.
Worked on the cotton fields at age 7 and drove tractors. When the weather was bad, he walked 10 miles to a one-room school. He quit in the 10th grade.
Lived in Las Vegas, but Mississippi was his home.
Named the third greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine (after Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman , who died in their 20s, an age when King was just getting started).
Universally hailed as the reigning king of the blues and the single most important electric guitarist of the second half of the 20th century.
Musicians named a section of the guitars neck after him, their blues idol, dubbing it the "B.B. box." Usually located from the 10th to 12th frets, depending on the key of the song, its where King twisted and scorched many of his signature guitar licks.
In a special ceremony at the Library of Congress, Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington presented B.B. with a "Living Legend" medal in honor of his achievements as a musician and ambassador for the blues.
His album "Live at the Regal" was declared a historic sound and permanently preserved in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.
Friends with Bobby Bland.
Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die to get there!,(when asked what he would do differently, could he live his life over) I,would have finished high school.
Nobody loves me but mama, and she may be jivin too.
The blues was bleeding the same blood as me.
The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you. .
