Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

September 16, 1925 in Itta Bena, MS

Death

:

May 14, 2015 in Las Vegas, NV

 

B.B. King, born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was born on a cotton plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi, to parents who were sharecroppers. King's parents separated when he was four years old, and he was raised by his grandmother. King's interest in music began at a young age, and he would sing in the church choir and play guitar on street corners for spare change. King's first guitar was a gift from his mother's cousin, Bukka White, who was a blues guitarist. King was inspired by White's playing and began to develop his own style. He dropped out of school in the 10th grade to work on the plantation, but he continued to play music in his spare time. In 1947, King moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he began to play in clubs and on radio shows. He was discovered by a talent scout for the record label RPM, and he recorded his first single, "Miss Martha King," in 1949. The song was a hit, and King began to tour extensively, playing over 300 shows a year. King's breakthrough came in 1951 with the release of "Three O'Clock Blues," which became a number one hit on the R&B charts. He followed up with a string of hits, including "You Know I Love You," "Woke Up This Morning," and "Please Love Me." King's style was characterized by his soulful voice and his distinctive guitar playing, which featured a combination of single-note runs and string bending. In the 1960s, King's popularity continued to grow, and he began to play to larger audiences. He performed at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1963, which helped to introduce him to a wider audience. He also began to collaborate with other musicians, including Eric Clapton, who was a fan of King's playing. King's most famous song, "The Thrill Is Gone," was released in 1969 and became a crossover hit, reaching number 15 on the pop charts. The song featured King's signature guitar playing and his emotive vocals. It won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1970. King continued to tour and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and he remained a popular live performer. He won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 1983 for his album "Blues 'N' Jazz," and he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1984. In the 1990s, King's health began to decline, and he was diagnosed with diabetes. He continued to perform, but he had to cut back on his touring schedule. He won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 1991 for his album "Live at the Apollo," and he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 1995. King's final album, "One Kind Favor," was released in 2008, and it won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. King continued to perform until shortly before his death on May 14, 2015, at the age of 89. Throughout his career, King won numerous awards and honors. He won 15 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. King's influence on music cannot be overstated. He was a pioneer of the blues genre, and his style of guitar playing has influenced countless musicians. He was also a trailblazer for African American musicians, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations. King's legacy will continue to inspire and influence musicians for generations to come.

More....