B.B. King is arguably the greatest blues singer and guitarist of all time. The internationally renowned musician got his start in the 1940s and has continued his reign as the King of the Blues for over half a century. Though King may have gotten older, his passion and love for the blues has kept him young. Also known as the Ambassador of the Blues, King has worked hard to expose a diversive international audience to the music he loves. King continues to release new music, win awards, and influence generations of musicians and guitarist. His trademark electric Gibson guitars, all nicknamed Lucille are also part of the King legacy.
The National Visionary Leadership Project: Biography and video interviews with B.B. King explore his playing style, his electric guitar and segregation.
BBKing.com: Visit the official Web site of the blues legend for current news, tour dates, photos and fan club information.
B.B. King Museum: This museum in Indianola, Mississippi; features a theater, gallery and guitar studio to allow visitors to explore King's 60 plus years in the music industry.
American Academy of Achievement: Inducted into the Academy of Achievement in 2004, a biography, videos and interview on King is available.
American Roots Music: A service of PBS, this music series offers an in-depth interview with King.
Early Life
B.B. King was born Riley B. King on September 26, 1925, on a cotton plantation in the small Mississippi town of Itta Bena. Parents Albert and Nora Ella were sharecroppers and would split up within a few years of his birth. With their separation, King would mostly live with his grandmother and lost contact with his father for several years.
King showed a strong interest in music from an early age. The passion and excitement found in blues music would begin to capture his interest while listening to records at his aunt's home. His mother and grandmother both attended church services every Sunday and King would start singing on the choir by the time he was four. His church pastor would teach King how to play the guitar and he would save up enough money to buy his own by the time was 12 years old.
King's mother would pass away in 1935 and he would come back into contact with his father. When his grandmother died in 1940, King unable to afford living on his own went to live with his father in Lexington. Reluctantly leaving behind a gospel singing group he was part of. Though King would return to the area after two years and rejoin the group his homecoming would be short lived. King traveled to Indianola, where he got work driving a tractor and played blues on street corners for change.
After crashing his boss's tractor in 1946, King decided to travel to Memphis, Tennessee a haven for all forms of black music. His cousin, Bukka White, a well-known regional blues artist and one of King's early musical idols also lived in Memphis. Bukka would take King in and help him hone his skills on the guitar.
Musical Career
King would get his first big break in 1948 by singing on a radio show in Memphis. The popularity of his performance would lead to a position as a disc jockey and singer for the local WDIA. While there he gained his stage name B.B. (for Blues Boy) King. He also released several songs through a local record label.
In 1951, King signed with RPM records and found major success when "Three O'Clock Blues" climbed to the top of the R&B charts. “Sweet Little Angel,” “Please Love Me,” "You Don't Know Me" and a string of other hits would follow. By 1955, King had put together a full time band and was on the road for most of the year playing the Chitlin circuit of small black clubs and juke joints.
In the 1960s, King signed with ABC-Paramount Records, the bigger label had better marketing and better production values. During this era, King's recordings took on more polish and sophistication. In 1965, King released the Live at the Regal. The historic album recorded in front of a black audience at Chicago's Regal Theater was highly influential and helped to usher in a blues revival.
King's signature hit "The Thrill Is Gone" would be released in 1969. The tune would become a crossover hit, scoring high on the R&B and pop charts and exposing King to a white audience that had largely remained ignorant of his music until then. After the songs release, the Rolling Stones invited King to be the opening act on their tour.
King continued to release new music and collaborate with major artist influenced by his music. In 1988, he recorded the single "When Love Comes to Town" with U2. A collaboration blues album Riding with the King was recorded in 2000 with Eric Clapton.
King performs at packed symphony hall, amphitheaters and universities around the country and internationally. His grueling touring schedule has taken him to Africa, Russia, China, Europe and all around the world. Considered a national treasure King has made numerous television appearances and is a constant performer at music festivals and award shows.
Awards
B.B. King has received many awards and achievements during his long career including…
15 Grammy Awards including multiple wins for Best Traditional Blues Album or Recording. Singles "The Thrill Is Gone" and "Everyday I Have The Blues" were inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame along with King's "Live at the Regal" album. In 1987, King also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Induction into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980, followed by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1999, King was also inducted into N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards Hall of Fame.
Lifetime honors by the National Heritage Fellowships (from the National Endowment for the Arts) and the Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award (from the Gibson Guitar Company) in 1991. Honors followed again in 1995 at the 18th annual Kennedy Center Honors.
In 1989, King placed his handprints on the RockWalk, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame occurred in 1991.
Yale University in 1977, followed by Boston’s Berklee School of music in 1982 and Brown University in 2007 awarded King honorary doctorates of music.
King has received the highest award given to both musicians and civilians. A 1990, Presidential Medal of the Arts was followed by a 2006, Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Well Known Songs
B.B. King has recorded over 50 albums some of King's greatest hits include...
"Three O’Clock Blues" (1951)
"Sweet Little Angel" (1956)
"You Don’t Know Me" (1952)
"Please Love Me" (1953)
"Everyday I Have the Blues" (1955)
"Sweet Sixteen, Part I" (1960)
"How Blue Can You Get?" (1964)
"Don’t Answer The Door, Part I" (1966)
"Ain't Nobody's Business" (1966)
"The Thrill Is Gone" (1970)
"Nobody Loves Me But My Mother" (1971)
"Let the Good Times Roll" (1976)
"Into the Night" (1985)
"When Love Comes to Town" (1988)
"The Blues Come Over Me" 1992
"Riding with the King" (2000)