RIP B.B. King

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 14 May 2015 10:57 pm

The Thrill is Gone. What a life, what a legend.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 14 May 2015 11:46 pm

I saw B.B. King and Ike and Tina Turner open for the Stones in 1969. He was awesome. (As was Ike and Tina Turner.)

The kids in the audience were completely clueless. They had no idea who he was or why the Stones hired him or what his music was all about. He sang one song that was an apology to his wife for some transgression, and used the excuse that he was high, and as soon as he sang the line about being high, all the stoners started cheering.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 14 May 2015 11:53 pm

I was blessed to see B.B. several times. The best time was when Albert King opened for him, two of my favorites in one night!

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 15 May 2015 3:48 am

New York Times Obit for B:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/16/arts/ ... v=top-news

"3 O'Clock in the Morning" (1952)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNfMhEa2Jsg

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 15 May 2015 4:06 am

Riley "Blues Boy" King.... The legend...
I was lucky enough to have spent his 70yh birthday with the man... More soul and emotion using three notes, than any guitarist before him.... The end of an era

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 15 May 2015 4:11 am

The Thrill is Gone, indeed. This one hits me harder than most. I've had a "thing" for BB King as long as I can remember. I played hooky from South Natchez High School one day about 30 years ago, because the local newspaper reported that BB would be arriving on the Mississippi Queen steamboat. I had just purchased his "Six Silver Strings" album, and wanted his autograph. I got caught by a friend's dad who was there taking photos, but he never ratted me out (thanks, Mr. Fisher!) Twenty-five years later, I was thrilled to attend BB's 80th Birthday bash at the MS Coast Coliseum, thanks to some unclaimed radio contest tickets scored by a friend of mine. About 7 years ago, my wife and I enjoyed chicken wings and some great blues music at BB's club on Beale St. in Memphis. It was a great evening. Thank you BB King for all the fond memories and GREAT music.

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 15 May 2015 5:20 am

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 15 May 2015 5:27 am

"Live At The Regal"...as good as it gets.
Vaya con Dios, BB.

Lee Warren · Post by **Lee Warren** » 15 May 2015 5:27 am

RIP BB King.
You were a beacon to so many of us who were trying to find our way in the blues.

The picture that Rick just posted is so perfect and poignant.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 15 May 2015 5:48 am

BB King was one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Regardless of the kind of music you play, you know and appreciate BB King. A phenomenal singer and unique guitarist.

I had a chance to see BB King on his 70th birthday, as he was on tour on a double bill with Miles Davis. A young Robben Ford, a disciple of BB's played guitar with Miles. BB rocked the stage that night.

Up to the end, he was still playing about 200 shows per year, even though his skills had diminished considerably. I hope he did it of his own accord.

Lee Warren · Post by **Lee Warren** » 15 May 2015 5:56 am

To quote a friend:
"Many people don't realize how important he is. The tone, the idea of a short concise phrase. Call and response."

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 15 May 2015 7:04 am

Another legend gone. I saw him many times and opened for him a couple. When his autobiography came out several years ago my wife went and waited a long time to have one signed. He flirted shamelessly with her until the publisher's rep next to him had to remind him there were still a lot of people waiting. You gotta love a guy like that.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 15 May 2015 7:09 am

I saw B.B. in 1969 at Tanglewood when he opened for Jefferson Airplane and the Who. He was a such a class act.

About 15 years ago B.B. and his band came to my niece's high school and did a seminar on the Blues for the students. The kids were studying Blues, and B.B. was playing in the area. The music teacher asked if B.B. would like to come to the school and talk to the kids. He came with a small band and played and spoke for about an hour... at no charge. He was a great ambassador for the Blues.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 15 May 2015 8:02 am

Words fail me. It's hard for me to picture the blues world without BB. The solid bedrock of the blues, is and always has been for me.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 15 May 2015 9:03 am

I know what you mean, Dave. He was the rock solid King of blues guitar for decades and known worldwide. I remember "trying to" play along with B.B King records way back in the 1960s and 70s when I was learning guitar. Trying to cop his licks. Not a lot of notes, but that singing vibrato in his left hand... what a sound. He influenced so many guitarists.

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 15 May 2015 9:08 am

Here's something else a lot of folks don't know. BB King was a member of the gospel quartet "The Famous St. John Gospel Singers". There is a picture on http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~sawy ... tjohn.html.

I never saw BB in person, but I remember well a PBS special where he played, and when it came time for him to sit in a chair for a while, everyone in the band sat down and played. Was just a good, relaxed, blues jammin' time.

He was a legend, and educator, and a trail blazer.

You know who I think would have made a great duo? BB King and our own Bishop Ronnie P Hall!

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 15 May 2015 9:33 am

Godspeed sir Riley!

Your music preceded you.

I saw Mr. King with Ray Charles during the World Tour 1990 for Philip Morris.

BB gave me this pin:

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 15 May 2015 10:23 am

BB was and always will be the heart and soul of the blues..today is a very sad day...Thank you BB for decades of the best music the world has ever heard.... RIP...

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 15 May 2015 12:28 pm

I've just listened to "Indianola Mississipi Seeds". RIP Mr.King.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 15 May 2015 12:33 pm

My all time favorite blues player and my inspiration to play blues guitar. RIP to the King of the Blues.

John Owen · Post by **John Owen** » 15 May 2015 12:38 pm

I've been listening to Live at the Regal all day and trying to keep my eyes dry.

Frank De Vincenzo · Post by **Frank De Vincenzo** » 15 May 2015 3:02 pm

"I ran into a juke joint when I heard a guitar scream
The notes were turning blue, I was dazing in a dream
As the music played, I saw my life turn around
That was the day before love came to town"

You will be sorely missed Mr. King

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 15 May 2015 5:45 pm

it is difficult to gauge just how influential B.B. Was worldwide for decades. I would go so far as to say rock would not sound as it did without him. If mastery takes 10,000 hours how many more hours beyond mastery was he?

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 15 May 2015 6:59 pm

speechless...............what a loss!

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 15 May 2015 7:21 pm

A 2012 BBC Documentary "B.B. King - The Life of Riley" is online here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGTxDRiqwkM

It's also on Hulu and the DVD is available at Amazon.

Today - the flags at the U.S. Post Offices in Nashville were lowered to half staff in honor of B.