B.B. King

The next legendary guitar icon that i’m writing about is Riley B. King known professionally as B.B. King. B.B. King is another American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer, who introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending and shimmering vibrato that influenced many later electric blues guitarists.

King was born September 16, 1925 Berclair, Mississippi, U.S. When he was four years old, his mother left his father for another man so king was brought up by his maternal grandmother, Elnora Farr. He was attracted to music and the guitar in church and eventually began his performance career in juke joints and local radio. While young, King sang in the gospel choir at Elkhorn Baptist Church in Kilmichael. King was attracted to the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ because of its music. At the age of 12 he purchased his first guitar for $15.00.

B. B. King is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the nickname "The King of the Blues", and one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" along with Albert King and Freddie King.

He was so devoted to his passion that he appeared at more than 200 concerts per year on average into his 70s. In 1956 alone, he reportedly appeared at 342 shows. This shows just how passionate he was about his music and playing. He is known for performing tirelessly throughout his musical career.

Interesting thing to note is that King named his guitars "Lucille",French meaning Light. They were usually black Gibson guitars.

His top hits include;

Rock me baby.

Sweet little angel.

Everyday I have the blues.

3 O’clock blues.

King's favourite singer was Frank Sinatra. In his autobiography he spoke about how he was a "Sinatra nut" and how he went to bed every night listening to Sinatra's classic album In the Wee Small Hours.  During the 1960s Sinatra had arranged for King to play at the main clubs in Las Vegas. He credited Sinatra for opening doors to black entertainers who were not given the chance to play in "white-dominated" venues.

To encourage younger generation towards music, in 2002, King signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a non- profit organisation that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in underprivileged public schools throughout the United States. He sat on the organisation's Honorary Board of Directors.

His death was as a result of series of small strokes caused by atherosclerotic vascular disease as a consequence of his type 2 diabetes. He died on May 14, 2015, at the age of 89. A funeral procession went down Beale Street, with a brass band marching in front of the hearse, playing "When the Saints Go Marching In". Thousands lined the streets to pay their last respects to B.B. King. He was buried at the B.B. King Museum.