B.B. King
Musician B.B. King is a blues guitarist whose career has spanned about 60 years. He is often called the "King of the Blues" by fans and critics, having had one of the longest and most prolific careers in the history of blues music.
After moving to Memphis in his early 20s, King recorded hit song after hit song in the R&B scene of the 1950s. When he recorded "The Thrill is Gone" in the late '60s, he officially crossed over into mainstream success and never looked back.
Since then, King has toured tirelessly (often playing 300 shows per year) and has frequently collaborated and jammed with other artists, including Phish, U2, and Eric Clapton (with whom he recorded the album Riding With the King in 2000). During the summer of 2007, he went on tour with fellow musicians Al Green and Etta James.
Fast Facts
- Full name: Riley B. King
- B.B. stands for "Blues Boy"
- Born: September 16, 1925
- Birthplace: Itta Bena, Mississippi
- Record Label: Geffen Records
- Main Guitar: "Lucille" (similar to Gibson ES-335)
- Years Active: 1947-present
- Is a diabetic
- Latest Album: The Jungle (2008)
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