B. B. King
B. B. King | |
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King in 1984 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Riley B. King |
| Born | September 16, 1925 near Itta Bena, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | May 14, 2015 (aged 89) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1942–2014 |
| Labels |
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| Website | bbking |
Riley B. King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015), known professionally as B. B. King, was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending, shimmering vibrato, and staccato picking that influenced many later electric guitar blues players.[9][10] AllMusic recognized King as "the single most important electric guitarist of the last half of the 20th century".[10]
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and is one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the nickname "The King of the Blues", and is referred to as one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with Albert King and Freddie King, none of whom are related).[11][12][13] King performed tirelessly throughout his musical career, appearing on average at more than 200 concerts a year into his 70s.[14] In 1956 alone, he appeared at 342 shows.[15]
Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, he was attracted to music and taught himself to play guitar, beginning his career in juke joints and on local radio. King later lived and performed in Memphis and Chicago. As his fame grew, he toured the world extensively.
- ^ Scapelliti, Christopher (May 15, 2015). "B.B. King Defined the Electric Blues on His Own Terms". Guitar World. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
- ^ Burleson, Ryan (September 15, 2008). "B.B. King returns with aged sounds". The Red & Black. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ Harris, Keith; Wolk, Douglas (May 15, 2015). "B.B. King's 10 Greatest Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ Roberts, Rabdall (May 15, 2015). "Appreciation: B.B. King built a bridge to the blues for the world". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
- ^ Adelt, Ulrich (2010). Blues Music in the Sixties: A Story in Black and White. Rutgers University Press. pp. 24 and 26. ISBN 978-0-8135-4750-3.
- ^ "A New Documentary Honors the Life and Music of B.B. King". WNYC. June 5, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ Neal, Mark Anthony (May 16, 2015). "B.B. King And The Majesty Of The Blues". NPR. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
- ^ "Gospel and the Blues". msbluestrail.org.
- ^ Komara, Edward M. Encyclopedia of the Blues, Routledge, 2006, p. 385.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Dahlwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Trovato, Steve. "Three Kings of Blues". Hal Leonard. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ Leonard, Michael. "3 Kings of the Blues". Gibson. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ "Happy Birthday to 'The Velvet Bulldozer' Albert King". WCBS FM. CBS. April 25, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
halloffamewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Blues Guitarist B.B. King Dies at 89". Los Angeles Times. May 14, 2015. Retrieved May 15, 2015.